In Guadeloupe, Adventist Church is damaged by fire, arson to blame

View of the Baie Mahault Adventist Church’s upper section which was damaged by arson fire, on April 17, 2016. Images courtesy of Guadeloupe Conference.

May 2, 2016 | Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe | Libna Stevens/IAD

Damaged organ and instruments in the upstairs section of the Baie Mahault Adventist Church.

A fire which damaged the Baie-Mahualt Adventist Church in the French Island of Guadeloupe two weeks ago is being blamed on arson. The Apr. 17 fire damaged part of the roof, an upper room housing musical instruments, an organ and the church’s sound system. Church leaders and members are thankful there was no loss of life

Local authorities filed it as a criminal case still under investigation by local police, said Pastor Jacques Bibrac, executive secretary for the church in Guadeloupe.

“As soon as neighbors saw smoke from the church, they called the fire station so we are thankful that the fire was put out before more damage was caused to the church,” said Bribac.

It is the first time that one of the 75 churches in Guadeloupe has ever been damaged due to arson, according to Bibrac. “The church has been in the community for more than 20 years.” For a three years now, another Adventist congregation, the Calvaire Adventist Church was meeting in the Baie-Mahualt Adventist Church while their church is under construction,” he added.

Bibrac said the damage still has to be evaluated by the insurance company before clean up and rebuilding of the section needs to take place. Meanwhile, church members have been meeting in homes as small groups for Sunday and Wednesday evening prayer meetings and at a center on Saturdays for worship service, explained Bibrac.

Fire also damaged curtains, walls and flooring on the church’s platform area.

“In spite of what has happened, our members know that we are God’s children and we have to move forward, finding good solutions to rebuild the church and continue serving the community,” said Bibrac.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church is well respected here,” he added. “The recognize our values and what we do for the children, young people and society in general.”

The Baie-Mahualt Adventist Church has been active in the community with health programs, concert programs, adventurer and pathfinder programs and more, he said.

“We are a big family so we can count on each other through this situation, and continue to be of good courage,” Bibrac said.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guadeloupe has more than 12,000 church members worshiping in 75 churches and congregations overseen by the Guadeloupe Conference. The Guadeloupe Conference is one of three regions belonging to the French Antilles Guiana Union.