A fire occurred at Life Community Church in Hilliard, Ohio on July 9th causing severe damage throughout the facility from fire, smoke, and water. Thankfully, no one was injured. LCC has remained united and strong, says Pastor Dan Burmeister in a letter published on the church’s website. “God is Sovereign and in control,” Dan writes. “We believe it and live it too…We’ll overcome this together.”
Churchgoers showed up to LCC the Sunday after the fire and met in the parking lot. Many in the Hilliard community who witnessed the blaze brought tents and water for the congregation. “It has been an amazing testimony of God’s provision,” says Monica Matheny, Connections Director at Life Community Church. Just one Sunday later, the local Lutheran church offered their facility as a temporary meeting place. Monica has heard from several of the Lutheran congregants who’ve said, “It blesses us so much to serve you.”
Also temporarily dislodged was the Hilliard Food Pantry, Life Community Church’s partner in neighborhood service. For more than 30 years, HFP has served this region diligently with meals, classes, and community events. Normally based in LCC’s warehouse, the food pantry currently operates out of neighboring churches while repairs are underway. Both organizations are eager to get back together and serve side by side once more.
People in the community, along with several FEC churches, also rallied around Life Community Church to replenish a collection of backpacks destroyed by the fire. Every year, LCC ships several backpacks full of supplies to impoverished school children in Honduras. Because of God’s provision, this year was no exception. “In the midst of us losing lots of stuff, we still got to be globally minded,” says Monica. “The heart of the church has not changed one bit.”
In November, demolition crews removed the back of the building where the worst damage occurred. Restoration efforts continue weekly. Life Community Church’s goal is to move back into the lobby in early 2024.
