A Tennessee congregation that, earlier this year, gave free gas to hundreds of commuters has suffered a serious fire at their church property.
A fire was sparked on Monday morning at Overcoming Believers Church of Knoxville, causing considerable damage to the building’s cafeteria. No injuries were reported.
Tim Woods of the Knoxville Fire Department said that firefighters were alerted to the blaze when a neighbor reported seeing fire and smoke coming from the building.
Firefighters extinguished the fire about an hour after they responded, reported the Knoxville-based WVLT. The cause of the conflagration is currently unknown.
Woods noted that the cafeteria experienced “severe fire, smoke and water damage,” while the rest of the Overcoming Believers building had smoke damage.
“This fire was in a big building and had the potential to become a very large and damaging fire,” said Woods, reported WVLT. “The quick response and attack by the fire companies saved the property.”
Overcoming Believers Senior Pastor Daryl Arnold said in a statement reported by WATE that he believed “that there was a spiritual and prophetic revelation that comes out of this.”
“I believe that just as our church has caught on fire in the natural, God is going to have us catch on fire in the Spirit, and we’re about to do more for the Kingdom and for Knoxville than we’ve ever done before,” stated Arnold.
Arnold vowed that his church would still provide free food to homeless people as it always does on Tuesdays despite the fire: “Just because there’s a fire on Monday doesn’t mean they don’t need to eat on Tuesday.”
In a social media post published Tuesday, Overcoming Believers echoed Arnold’s sentiment as it announced a virtual Bible study would take place that evening. “THE FIRE DIDN’T STOP THE WORD,” the church proclaimed. “We are grateful for God’s protection, and while we navigate what comes next, the mission continues.”
“The building may have experienced a fire, but the Church is still on fire for God,” the post added. “WE’RE STILL HERE. WE’RE STILL BELIEVING. WE’RE STILL MOVING FORWARD.”
Overcoming Believers also shared video footage from a WLVT report highlighting members of the church gathered in a prayer circle outside the facility.
A congregation with approximately 1,500 members, Overcoming Believers describes itself as a “dynamic ministry wholly committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Overcoming Believers Church is a witnessing and worshiping community of believers that is called, committed, ordained and established by God to build His Kingdom in the earth,” the site reads. “We are overcoming the world by the renewing of our minds through teaching the Word of God.”
In April, the church held its annual “Gas & Glory” event at a local Thumbs Up Exxon station, where they gave $20 worth of gas for free to around 400 commuters.
Additionally, volunteers at the gas station handed out free T-shirts and candy for children and invited drivers to join them for worship at their church on Easter Sunday.
Karen Swint, a spokesperson for Overcoming Believers, told The Christian Post in an interview at the time that the event was an example of being “the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.”
“The Bible tells us to ‘Go and make disciples,’” Swint continued. “I truly believe this is the best way to do [it]. We are to be doers of the Word, not only hearers or speakers.”
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