“It was in pristine condition,” said Sean Heizer, a firefighter who remembers walking through the smoke-filled home in Franklin Twp.
“We picked up the Bible and you could see the outline of where it was sitting from the soot.”
That was a hopeful sign that strengthened the faith of Annette and Carl Cowgill, who recently took over as pastor of the Lebanon Church of God on North Broadway.
“You don’t realize how much of a tragedy a fire can be,” Carl said. “You take for granted the normal things of life. Then you wake up in the morning, and you realize you don’t have anything.”
As a new pastor, 42-year-old Carl is trying to grow his congregation and is infusing more contemporary music and multimedia into his Sunday sermons. Ironically, eight months before the fire, Carl painted a fire and rescue scene on the walls of the church basement, where children can find refuge and feel safe.
Carl said he and his family have received donations from Church of God members across the state and have benefited from an outpouring of support from the local ecumenical community. Carl, Annette and their daughter, Alyssa, have moved into a home provided by Urbancrest Baptist Church.
Annette said the donations they have received will make for a better Christmas. She said the experience has helped her develop compassion for others who endure devastating losses.
“My husband and I have just been in awe,” she said. What people have done, it’s been a big blessing.”
Carl said just when you think the world doesn’t care, this experience has shown him people “have a heart.”
“God can take a tragedy and turn it around to give him glory,” Carl said. “We can see the hand of God on the people who have helped us.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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