A pastor in Poyen is asking for prayers after his church, which he called instrumental in the small-town community of nearly 300 residents, was destroyed in an overnight fire.
James Green, associate pastor at Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, said he learned of the fire shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters remained on scene about 4 a.m. Wednesday at 314 W. Second St., he said.
The church of about 250 people in its congregation, including country artist Justin Moore, had been “growing by leaps and bounds,” Green said, adding that Sunday attendance had increased by about 150 people in the past year.
Green said that while the fire will temporarily move services elsewhere and leave church leaders to determine next steps in rebuilding, God has a plan.
“This might be God saying 'I want to raise you to another level,'” he said. “We just have to keep the faith.”
In a tweet about 10:37 p.m. Tuesday, Moore also asked for prayers for his hometown and church family as he learned of the fire.
“Our church is currently on fire, and we are all devastated,” Moore said.
The musician later posted photos showing the church building engulfed in flames, with the short statement: “Absolutely insane.”
No one was inside the church at the time of the fire, and a cause has not been determined, Green said. He pointed to the age of the building — it was built in 1951 — as a potential factor.
Green said the church had recently bought property behind the building that may be included in rebuilding efforts.