BROWNSVILLE FIRE & LOCAL MEDIA SLANDER

PENSACOLA, FL —There was a major fire in Pensacola on July 4. Late into the night, you could see flames from the top of the Brownsville Assembly of God Sanctuary in Pensacola. Most of the fire was concentrated in the area of the church that was over the tape-duplicating center. Early in the night, Elmer Melton, one of the chief ushers during revival and a board member of the church, saw the fire and called the fire department. More than eight companies responded to the two-alarm fire.
It was a difficult fire to control because it was in the roof structure of the church. It was started by a direct lightning strike that subsequently started spawning the fire that ran down the room into foyer and the tape duplicating area. Escambia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief, Pat Grace, said that the fire is under investigation and that no determination has been made as to its origins at this time.
Fire crews stayed on scene until 2 AM in the morning working to contain the blaze in the insulation under the roof. Fire fighters had a very difficult time containing that area. Tiny flames could be seen from the roof as it burned. The fire crews tried to contain the water damage as they put out the roof fire. However, water flowed through the church from the downpour of the yellow nozzle truckthat stretched over the right-handsideofthe
sanctuary.
     Brownsville members were in the parking lot as a somber Pastor Kilpatrick studied the situation. "He didn’t say much," said Deborah Bailey, "but you could see the deep concern on his face. We’re just blessed that Elmer Melton saw it, because the entire structure could have been brought to the ground had he not caught it just after it started. Although this fire will be very costly, it could have done so much more damage. Praise God we have the Family Life Center to meet in for the next few months!"
We all know that when you fill out a claim on the insurance after a fire, there is a place where they list the cause of the fire. In the case of this fire it will be called, "An act of God," but we all know who was behind this fire. It was the dirty devil. God’s people are like pioneers in events like these. Many people of the church can’t understand why God would allow these things, but if we could see His perfect purpose we would say, "Oh yes, I see."
      The church has gone through a series of deaths over the last two weeks and a funeral had been scheduled for the burned sanctuary the next day. Almost three summers ago, the new Family Life Center was completed on the street directly opposite the main sanctuary. It was built to contain overflow crowds from the lines that were at the revival during those days. The Lord knew about this coming incident, however, and prepared the Brownsville faithful. Revival and main church activities have shifted to this structure that was planned for a day like this.

LOCAL CBS AFFILLIATE SLANDERS CHURCH AFTER FIRE IN PENSACOLA ON FRIDAY JULY 5TH NEWSCAST

It's been said that a rumor or a lie will go all around the world while the truth won't make it out the door. On the Friday's news broadcast of Channel 5 CBS affiliate in Mobile, Alabama, News Anchor Mel Showers took a cheap shot at the Brownsville Church in Pensacola, Florida, after their devestating fire. In his news cast he made the statement that the Brownsville Church was known for its financial discrepancies and that the revival was over. The negative comments drew fire from many who heard it. and several called the station outraged at what the news anchor had said about the church. On his 10 PM broadcast no appoligies were made for the inaccurate statements, but a softer approach was made by the news anchor. In the seven years of the Brownsville revival a constant stream of people have visited the church even after their schedule was reduced to Friday and full weeks during conferences. No financial discrepancies has ever been proven at the church and the fact is that the books have been wide open for anyone to look at, including news media. The church has a high credibility among Christain Churches and submits it's financial practices to a religious organization that monitors large ministries. It must be noted that the church could not have been accepted to this organization if it had been proven that discrepencies had been found in the handling of money. Why the local CBS affiliate chose to say what they have said has caused people in this area to question the credibility of the news anchor who made the comments and the whole crediability of Channel 5 in general. At a time of suffering and setback for a church, this news source chose to add rumor to hardship.