Cross Miraculously Left Standing After Church Burned to Ground: "That Was a Sign from God"
The Balsora Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Texas was in the process of renovating their fellowship hall when disaster struck. Workers went to lunch, and when they returned, flames were shooting out of the church’s sanctuary roof.
Attempts were made to put out the flames as the fire department was called for help.
They did their best, but the roof began to collapse. Extreme heat from the fire tapped out that one crew’s resources pretty quickly.
A call for help went out to surrounding fire departments. Crews were still in the building as the roof collapsed.
By the time other fire departments arrived, the building was totally engulfed in flames. In the end, 11 local and state agencies were called to the scene to help put out the flames, but the church burned to the ground.
Balsora Baptist Church in Wise County burned down, Friday — but the sanctuary cross remains standing. Tonight on @FOX4 News after the @CleGuardians/@Dodgers game, you’ll hear from the pastor — who still plans to preach service, tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/qiPoFhtZbq
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) June 19, 2022
While several firefighters were treated at the scene by Wise County EMS, no one lost their life. That was the first miracle.
A second one was spotted when someone noticed that a cross that stood in the sanctuary was still standing.
And a third miracle: stacks of Bibles also survived the fire.
The cross was built with a special prayer purpose. Pastor Sonny Smith told CBS news, “That cross is where we would get little pieces of paper with a string and everyone put all their family members and different ones they wanted to pray for and we hung them up on that cross.”
Smith also said that to him, the fact that the cross was still standing was an absolute miracle and, “a sign from God saying don’t worry, I’m still here and I’m going to lead you forward.”
A post on the The Balsora Baptist Church Facebook page includes a YouTube video of the cross and states, “This video was made by Anna Pruner Morgan, daughter of Fred Pruner that built the Cross for our prayers.
“This Cross gave us the ability to focus on specific prayer request, especially praying for the lost, and medical needs. Now this Cross represents Jesus being with us in the good times and the bad! Fred also made the 3 Crosses in our Prayer Garden!”
Dale Jenkins commented under the post, “I wonder about the Bibles in the church. Having been a Houston firefighter for forty-one years I have never seen or had anyone show me a Bible that any page of Scripture was burned. Regardless of how severe and hot the fires have been not one page of scripture could not be read.
“I have seen covers and the pages before and after Scripture burned away but never the Word of God. The most inspiring are the Bibles in vehicle fires where the gas tank ruptures and the fire burns at 2600 degrees consuming everything in the car, even melting copper wire and yet every time the Bible can be picked up and read.
“Pictures of Christ Jesus, Crosses and written scripture all withstand fire. These situations never fail to strengthen my faith! Nothing is as powerful as Gods Word!”
The church was over 100 years old with about 75 people regularly attending on Sundays.
About one month after the fire, The Balsora Baptist Church is still holding services and is making plans to rebuild. They have started a Go Fund Me page to help with their efforts.
