Six weeks after a devastating explosion and fire, church members and firefighters in a Northern Oneida County town continue to recover from their injuries.
Faith plays a big part in the healing process in the town of Boonville. That fire on February 17 may have caused what State Police describe as “catastrophic damage” to the Abundant Life Fellowship church, but it hasn’t stopped its members from gathering to pray.
Just days after the explosion and fire, dozens of church members and visitors began gathering on Sundays at nearby Adirondack High School, which has offered them space for their services.
They recently held Palm Sunday services in the school gym, and it was the first time Pastor Brandon Pitts made an appearance at church services since he and four Boonville Fire Department members were injured.
Pitts spoke for about an hour, including a sermon, but he started out talking about the momenta propane fuel leak sparked that massive explosion.
“Most of my body was on fire in some capacity,” Pitts told church members, “and I'm sure the other guys would share a very similar experience to that. But there was a moment where I did not think that I was going to survive it.”
With bandages on his hands and arms, the 43-year-old talked about how the Gospels recount Jesus leading his disciples in a boat across the water in stormy weather.
“That would be my advice to somebody, just hypothetically, if you're ever involved in a building explosion, this would be my advice to you….you know what? I mean, there's something on the other side,” Pitts said.
Pitts and other church members have been talking about how their faith and their sense of community is getting them through this ordeal. Abundant Life’s office manager, Lydia Huntress, said that as devastating as the fire was, dealing with it has brought them closer together, especially members of the church and the fire department.
“Those men that were involved in the explosion and the fire itself, they've been knit together in a way that is very unique, very unique.” Huntress said that Abundant Life has received donations and notes of support from people around the world.
Church member Dawn Rava-Crofoot is aiding fundraising efforts to help those injured by the explosion and fire, with the sale of a commemorative hoodie sweatshirt, which has the words, ‘Tested by Fire, Held by Grace,’ on the front of it.
“Our community is a beautiful community,” said Rava-Crofoot. “Everybody comes together in time of need. And yeah, I love where I live.”
Church leaders are hoping to rebuild their sanctuary in the same spot where their building stood before. But there’s a lot of paperwork and other details to deal with, including completing the demolition of the damaged building before that happens.
Still, MaeLeah Pitts, the pastor’s wife, is optimistic that will all work out.
“I mean, we don't know all the ins and outs,” said Pitts. “We don't know all the details, some of them are evolving, but I am very confident that we will rebuild, and it will be in the right time. You know, however long that takes, whether it's a year or two years, it'll be at the right time when we're in that building.”