Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Georgia parsonage catches fire, pastor and family escape

  • April 27, 2023
  • Georgia's The Christian Index
  • Georgia, Latest News
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Hollywood Baptist Church parsonage in Clarkesville, Ga., on Monday, April 24, 2023.
(Photo courtesy of the Christian Index)

Georgia parsonage catches fire, pastor and family escape

Pastor Chuck Johnson Jr. is thanking God that he and his family escaped a pre-dawn fire Monday (April 24) that heavily damaged the Hollywood Baptist Church parsonage in Clarkesville, Georgia, where they lived.

Johnson, his wife, and their five children were sleeping when he awoke shortly after 6 a.m. to a strange noise and the smell of smoke. He looked out his bedroom window and saw the yellowish glow of fire reflecting against trees in the backyard.

‘We all got out alive’

“I had one firefighter tell me that if I had woken up 10 minutes later, I probably wouldn’t have all my family with me,” he said. “That’s the silver lining, that we all got out alive.”

Once Johnson had his family out of the house, he went back in to rescue his wife’s dog, sustaining second-degree burns in the process.

Photos taken by Habersham County Emergency Services personnel show flames leaping high above the home when firefighters arrived.

The entire home received either fire, smoke or water damage. All the furnishings were destroyed.

‘Amazing’ response

Firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the church’s fellowship hall, which is only about 30 feet away.

Johnson, now living in temporary housing with his wife and children ages 9 months to 14 years, said the response of the church and the community have been “amazing and encouraging.”

“Our immediate needs are covered,” Johnson said. “Everyone has been reaching out to help. That’s been incredible.”

“The biggest thing we’ll need in the future is furniture, but right now I’m not sure where we would put that,” he said.

Johnson said the fire was a powerful reminder of his dependence on the Lord.

“What a good God we serve,” he said. “Even in the midst of loss, He is our sustainer and provider.”


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Roger Alford and originally published by the Christian Index.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’

Along Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, it’s typical to see people slumped over, arms dangling and knuckles grazing the concrete. You need to watch your step, and might have to push a hypodermic needle to the side with your shoe.

IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook

International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 72 full-time, fully funded missionaries during their Sept. 27-28 meeting near Richmond, Virginia.

Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock

The 30th anniversary of Godstock — a weekend evangelistic event of Hillvue Baptist Church — gives evidence to the truth of Ephesians 3 that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Sending Celebration highlights unity as IMB missionaries prepare to go

Peter and Tina Kim know that Asians in the growing city of São Paulo, Brazil, are in a unique position. As second, third and fourth generation immigrants, many Asians in São Paulo never quite fit into the culture of those around them.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel