Fire Destroys First Assembly in Newton, Texas

By the time fire fighters arrived on scene on the eve of Easter, the First Assembly of God in Newton, Texas, was fully engulfed in flames, and although numerous volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, the building was a total loss.

According to Mike Casey, pastor of the rural church, a friend was driving by the church about 5:30 p.m. on April 19 and noticed smoke coming from the eves. The man hurried to the church door and began pounding on it — finding that one of the ladies of the church who does the cleaning was there and oblivious to the attic fire.

“I was told just as they were leaving the church, fire broke through the ceiling and spilled down onto the church floor,” Casey says. “I’m just so thankful that it was a friend driving by and he stopped to check for people!”

Casey, a 71-year-old retired minister, agreed to a presbyter’s request to be First Assembly’s interim pastor for a year . . . three years ago. He says that the fire inspector was unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the extent of the damage, but suspects it was an electrical issue in the attic of the 76-year-old church building.

Between 20 and 30 people attend First Assembly. Casey says several area churches have graciously offered use of their facilities, which they are considering, but for now are meeting outside in front of the parsonage.

Despite the disaster, Casey points to a moment of blessing taking place the very next morning.

“It was raining Easter morning, and we were debating about the service, whether or not to try to hold it,” Casey says. “I told people we’re just going to have to pray about it and continued to the church. Just as we got there, the rain stopped and the sun came out. We had our meeting and as soon as the service ended and the chairs were folded up and put away, it started raining again.

“During the fire, one of our church members took a photograph,” Casey continues. “If you look closely, you can see the chair that I sit on during service to preach from — still there, standing there, in middle of the flames.”

Casey and his wife, Theresa, have been in the ministry for about 45 years. As a bivocational minister most of his life, Casey says that without the Lord and a good wife, who upholds so much when he’s not available, it would be almost impossible to serve as a minister.

As the insurance coverage amount is still being determined, Casey says that God has given him a Scripture of encouragement.

“In Isaiah 61, it says God gives us beauty for ashes,” Casey explains, then adds wistfully, “and we have a whole lot of ashes.”

For more information about how to assist the church, Casey can be reached at 409-383-8122 or by email at [email protected].