KNOXVILLE, TN (11:10 a.m., PST) – Overcoming Believers Church plans to continue its outreach efforts after a fire burned the church’s cafeteria on Monday (Jul. 27). The fire was reported at 9:25 a.m. (CST), by a neighbor who claimed to see fire coming from the facility.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and discovered fire and smoke coming from the left side of the building. First responders attempted an “interior fire attack” to contain the blaze but flames quickly spread to the roof.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames by 10:30 a.m. (CST), with the cafeteria of the church having the most damage. Other parts of the church reportedly had a “haze” of smoke.
“My greatest concern was that we take care of the transit community here, so even tomorrow we’ll be feeding them,” Pastor Daryl Arnold, senior leader of Overcoming Believers Church, said of the church’s outreach plans going forward.
“We’re still going to do that,” Pastor Arnold said of his mission to help the homeless in the community. “We’re still going to feed our transit community tomorrow,” the clergyman declared.
“Just because there’s a fire on Monday doesn’t mean that they don’t need to eat on Tuesday. And so we’re still going to do that.”
Pastor Daryl Arnold praised the Knoxville Fire Department for the response and diligence to extinguish the fire at Overcoming Believers Church. “Knoxville Fire Department has done a phenomenal job,” the clergyman said.
“[They] not only helped put out the fire but prayed with us,” Arnold revealed. “We believe that God is taking care of us.”
Overcoming Believers Church prides itself on offering “an uncommon worship experience.” The culture of the church is one where congregants can receive a good sermon while also releasing their worship to God. Overcoming Believers Church members then “respond with service” by helping the less fortunate in their community and ministering to individuals who feel spiritually lost.
You can learn more about the church here.