CHURCH TRAGEDY
One of my dear friends, John Muratori is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Life Family Worship Center in Cheshire Connecticut. I have ministered for their congregation and have a great love in my heart for Pastor John, his family and his people.
On February 2, we received news of a terrible tragedy. I offer this letter from Pastor John. I ask you to read it, to be in prayer for him and for the Calvary Life Family. I also ask that of there is anything you can do to bless then through this time, please contact our church office.
We can be reached at: 912.368.6121 or http://theamazinglife.com.
To: Our Faithful Congregation and Friends of This Ministry:
It is with a broken heart that I share our church home has collapsed under the weight of all the snow accumulation.We in New England have weathered three major storms seeing more snow than we have in decades.
Let me say it has been a long road to get us to this newly built place of Worship, allowing our congregation to have a place of permanence for generations to come.
Today will be ingrained in my memory all my days.
You see, I was with my two sons, Executive Pastor and another leader in ministry. We were putting signs on the door for people to stay out of the facility until an engineer could arrive.
We walked into the foyer to make sure everything was closed; at that moment I heard the small voice of the Lord say, "Get Out!"
Suddenly, we heard the loudest bangs from the sanctuary. We ran outside the building and I watched with my sons as the building collapsed. Yes, covered with dust, I witnessed a project that took 2 years to build fall in 30 seconds. My sons were shouting and crying as we got to a place of safety.
Once I gathered myself from the shock, I heard the Lord say amidst the rubble:
"The vision is still standing, the mission hasn't changed, this ministries purpose is found in Him."
We now find ourselves at a unique place in Christ -- One that will challenge our members' commitment and resolve. As a church we are still becoming, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him (1John 3:2).
This one thing I have learned, this trial is necessary in order for us to become all He desires.
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan (trials of life)? (Jer. 12:5)
We need to be closer, stronger, and persevere more than we have in all our previous years. We pray God will send us His friends from around the Nations to stand along side us as we rebuild His House of Worship.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1Peter 1:6-7)
--Pastor John Muratori
I am also including a list of immediate needs that we have compiled. Ongoing updates will be posted daily at www.calvarylife.us.
- Facility: as we have suffered a total loss and can no longer use our facility, we need a place for services and temporary offices
- Travel Sound system
- Microphones
- Instruments
- Cameras/Camcorders
- Computers & Printers
- Copy machines/ Fax machines
- Office furniture
- Financial Support
The Bible tells us that when one suffers, we all suffer together. This situation represents a physical setback to the congregation at Calvary. It DOES NOT represent a setback to the kingdom of God. God’s glory WILL be revealed through this trial and His kingdom will be advanced.
Thank you for your prayers,
TJB
