In a remarkable turn of events, the Upstate Church Haywood campus in Greenville, South Carolina, narrowly avoided disaster when its sanctuary roof collapsed early Sunday morning. Thanks to the quick actions of church leaders, no one was injured, and services continued without interruption.
Wayne Bray, the lead pastor of First Baptist Simpsonville Upstate Church, which boasts a congregation of over 7,700 members across nine locations, shared the incredible story in a heartfelt video statement. Just hours before the collapse, a staff member noticed cracks in the sanctuary’s ceiling. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the team sprang into action, relocating Sunday services to the gymnasium on the church property.
“We did not allow anybody into the dangerous building so no one was hurt. No one was even in danger of being hurt,” Bray emphasized in his address. His gratitude extended to Dallas Wilson, the church’s teaching pastor, for his leadership in ensuring the safety of the congregation. “To God be the glory. Everybody’s fine,” Bray added, expressing relief over the church’s swift response.
The roof fell around 7:30 a.m., but it wasn’t until 9:31 a.m. that local fire crews were alerted to the incident. Fortunately, no one was inside the sanctuary at the time of the collapse, as the church was preparing for the day’s services.
Wilson, reflecting on the day, described it as “a wild one.” However, he remained steadfast in his belief that such challenges would not hinder the church’s mission. “The church never plays defense, always offense. ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it,’” he declared, quoting Matthew 16:18. He reassured the congregation that the church would continue to thrive despite the setback. “The building is broken, but the church of God is still moving forward. The gospel was preached. People were saved. Believers were baptized. We’re not playing defense; Upstate Church is moving forward. Charge On!” he proclaimed.
Traci Weldie, the connections coordinator at Upstate Church Haywood, was on site preparing for baptisms when the roof collapsed. She recounted the moment, saying, “We were sorting through the baptism supplies when the roof crashed in. Just a huge wind came through the hallway. [It] almost knocked us over.”
Bray shared that the Haywood campus had only been launched two and a half years ago with just over 100 attendees. Today, it attracts more than 700 worshippers weekly. “It’s really an amazing story,” he said, noting that even amidst the chaos, the church had over 700 people in worship that day.
Looking ahead, Bray assured the congregation that they had already taken steps to secure the damaged building and that worship would continue. “We have never felt like a building is our church. A building may come and go. Buildings are built and buildings fall, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ will stand forever, and that is what our faith is built on,” he concluded.
This incident serves as a reminder of the resilience of faith communities. The Upstate Church Haywood has demonstrated that while physical structures may falter, the spirit of the church and its mission to spread the gospel remain unshaken. As the church moves forward, it stands as a testament to the unwavering strength of faith in the face of adversity.
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