Leaders of a church destroyed by fire make plans to recover - KOAM TV 7

Leaders of a Joplin church destroyed by fire make plans to recover

Solace Church was heavily damaged by smoke and water when fire swept through buildings in downtown Joplin on Tuesday evening.  Now the building is in ruins.

The church had rented the structure and now church leaders are considering what to do next.  They say they'd like to build or buy a building of their own.

For now, the congregation plans to hold services at God's Resort in Joplin.

"It is sort of like watching your own funeral - people come out from everywhere to tell you that they care about you and support you," says Josh Evans of Solace Church.  "This has been the most peaceful disaster we have ever been through as a family.  It has been encouraging."

The church has launched a fundraising effort by selling t-shirts that read "We are more than bricks & mortar".  To purchase a shirt visit http://solacejoplin.storenvy.com/