Wasilla Bible Church to reopen after arson

[jinxmchue]

http://www.adn.com/matsu/story/668295.html

The Wasilla Bible Church will hold its first services back at home on Sunday since a blaze in December seriously damaged its building.

 Senior pastor Larry Kroon said Monday that crews are still working on repairs to about a quarter of the building, including offices, classrooms and the main entry/foyer area. But the church's sanctuary, which suffered smoke damage in the Dec. 12 blaze, is ready to be used again.

The blaze, which is under investigation as a suspected arson, received widespread attention because the church, just off the Parks Highway near downtown Wasilla, is one of the biggest in the Valley with Sunday services attracting up to a 1,000 people. It is also among the churches attended by Gov. Sarah Palin.

This part is cool:

As trying as the incident has been, Kroon said church members have been heartened by the outpouring of support from individuals and other churches around the country. The church has received innumerable cards, e-mails and about $100,000 in donations, he said. Among the churches that donated was one from the Lower 48 that itself received an outpouring of support after Hurricane Katrina, he said.