Byron United Methodist Church feeling safer to worship following recent arrest of arsonist
Byron United Methodist Church feeling safer to worship following recent arrest of arsonist
Pastor Josh Bizzell says community support influenced their ultimate decision to get back to service, so soon.
PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — Despite Wednesday’s fire, Byron United Methodist Church Pastor Josh Bizzell says they’re in high spirits.
As they spent some of Friday cleaning up, they say their church is a day closer to worshiping the holy spirit. An arson fire destroyed the church offices late Wednesday, and scorched part of the sanctuary.
“It really is an active doing church,” Bizzell said. “You know, they spring into action and we’ve seen that again this week.”
Bizzell said several members have volunteered to make sure Sunday’s service goes well, but adds the support for Byron UMC goes beyond church walls.
“We’ve had a lot of pastor friends that I know have reached out asking if we need anything, you know, tangible,” Bizzell said. “If we need books, if we need hymnals, if we need bibles, if we need any worship elements, things like that.”
He says a local Chick-Fil-A reached out offering to cater food to church leadership. Bizzell says though he hasn’t had much sleep since Wednesday, he’s focused on how secure his family feels. He credits Byron law enforcement for helping ease their minds.
“The Byron Police Department has helped us feel safe safe and I imagine the rest will get easier as we get farther from this,” he said.
But of course with any hit to a home, comes grief.
“It’s important that we still grieve as a community, because we have experienced loss in this, but our grief doesn’t outweigh our hope and that’s what we have to keep in front of us,” he said.
Bizzell says he’s excited to welcome visitors to service with open doors and open arms.
“We’re not really sure how many people to expect this Sunday, but we will be happy with everyone that comes,” Bizzell said.
Worship will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Bizzell said there will be police presence, and service will be conducted in the fellowship hall.
He said he hopes to worshiping back in the sanctuary within a month. He said while they usually take communion the first Sunday of every month but is planning a special communion this Sunday.
Byron Police Chief Wesley Cannon tells 13WMAZ Luke Westefeld has no affiliation to Byron UMC but he said Westefeld’s ex-wife and children live in the city, adding for people to respect their privacy as the investigation continues.