Yesterday afternoon in Baltimore a severe thunderstorm settled over the area and in the midst of the storm lightning struck the steeple of the First Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church. The strike unsettled the steeple and caused it to fall down into the church where a fire erupted. Fire crews on the scene were restrained to fighting the blaze from outside of the building as going inside was determined to be too dangerous. Those who were in the building, including Bishop Oscar Brown, were quickly alerted to evacuate. Thankfully, there were no human casualties. The 2 million dollar church, however, was said to be a total loss.
There will be a meeting today for the leadership of First Mt. Olive at the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore at 1pm (4501 1/2 Old Frederick Road). A meeting for the general body of First Mt. Olive will be held tonight at 7pm at New Psalmist.
Please keep Bishop Oscar Brown and the entire First Mt. Olive FWB Church in your prayers and stay tuned to receive further details as they unfold.
Related posts:
- Considering Ethics in the Black Church I remember vividly sitting in Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ’s class at...
- Bishop G.E. Patterson (1939-2007) Published reports indicate that the presiding Bishop of the Church...
- DC Pastor under fire from Gay Community Popular, community activist preacher, Pastor Willie Wilson of the Union...
- Bishop Doug Miles lets Sheila Dixon have it! If you haven’t heard already, Bishop Doug Miles of Koinonia...
This saddened me. I live in a large active historic district. 490 structure all together. Every once in a while we also have tragic fire losses. God blessed you with no casualties and saving the glass.
http://www.historicnearwestside.com and members
I have been reading other news involving this church. Apparently the fire is still raging.
Well Dr. Johns, I heard its not the first time that flames have come from the church!
I am so upset at all of the negative new that the media have been putting out, but I know that God is up to something. They say first is the natural and then in the spirit, so God has allowed this church to be publicized in the natural for all to see, so when God is ready do do what He is about to do in the spiritual, people are going to be at awe. They will have no choice but to say, “LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE”. Watch out you unbeliever it is your turn to believe. And may God continue to bless Rabbi Fink, his wife and The Oheb Shalom family for your kindness.
Peace
Dee
I am a believer… In fact, I am a minister as well… I am so sorry for what happened… However, just because news is negative does not mean it isn’t factual. I would love the church to realistically live in the present world as well as the heavenlies. We are so SPIRITUAL that we tend to ignore what I believe God wants us to see CLEARLY. Apparently the church didn’t even know the depths of the financial crisis. Further, I heard no church ridiculing or defending any CEO of companies such as ENRON, WORLDCOMM and TYCO, who were getting richer and living large while their company was in a financial crisis and employees were losing their pensions. In fact, I heard the complete opposite. When we as church members give, we give in faith, not only in God, but in the shepherd. What a great testimony it would be if he were to sell this Bentley to pay off the church debt. He could still drive a more than adequate car, luxuries and all, but his reputation, as well as the church’s would be intact. The world sees this and scoffs. JUST MY OPINION… In Christ…
Amen Brother Ray, Amen! Obviously Dee has been “drinking the Kool-Aid”. From what I understand, the allegations in the paper are not EVEN the tip of the iceberg concerning Mt. Olive and its financial problems. From what I understand, if people got the full revelation of the financial health, or lack thereof, of the church, there would be a revolt of the masses. From what I saw on TV, it looks like the church leaders as well as the members are in denial and are still functioning in “business as usual” mode. Jesus said that we would know the truth and the truth that we know would make us free. Until Mt. Olive, from the pulpit to the backdoor, acknowledges the truth, it will remain in bondage!
Shalom
I belive in my bishop as well as my first lady, I heard the stories my finnal
ststement is this I refusse to get involved in the gossip nor will I bad
mouth my church. in times like these our church body should allways be
lifting our Bisiop and our church family up before the loard and stand as a
firm family. in faith, worship and praise this is not the time for foolishness if
this house of faith is going to rise from the asshes and yes Bishop preach the word.
[...] day with news on the other line that one of Baltimore’s most historic churches had been struck by lightning. I jumped in the car and drove to the church and joined hundreds of others who gathered at the [...]
so many times I've said these words and I heard Oscar preach them so many times "THE BEST IS YET TO COME" well guess what it has come now church family I know that that may seem unlikely to some of us but I tell you that this was a set up all I will tell you is get readyGod is about to do some of his best work and some of you leaders who stayed with your leader don't have to be rewarded to do so you understand God called you to this place you know what looks like a tragedy today is going to be the very catalyst to propell this ministry into a kingdom agenda that is far beyond your own understanding but if you stand in faith Mount Olive you won't miss what God is about to do so I say to you today stay with the ship thank you Oscar "WE CAN'T DO LIKE THE COATS" "FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR AND THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR" somebody say glory don't be timid somebody say "GLORY"I'm on the front line I'm stil praying Oscar as I hpoe you all are praying for me