Peace In Jesus, Boise, Idaho, sustained severe water and smoke damage due to a fire in a neighboring building that started on Aug. 25. Although the church itself was spared from fire and no one was injured, the water damage is extensive, covering most of Peace In Jesus' rented worship facility.

Rev. Dan Kramer, pastor at Peace In Jesus, reports that insurance will cover expenses related to the damaged contents within the building. Through an initial $2,000 grant, the Committee on Relief is helping cover some of the church's other expenses related to the fire, such as rental of a new facility.

Peace In Jesus is a WELS home mission congregation focusing on outreach to the Vietnamese. Kramer says that the congregation is known as "the church that helps people." Members assist with immigration papers, translation services, English language training, and other practical services as a door to sharing the gospel with people from other cultures.

For the first Sunday church service following the fire, the congregation worshiped in a nearby Chinese restaurant. Kramer told members, "This is not a day to be sad. God saved our church and will provide a new and better church for us. This is not devastating; rather this is an exciting time!" The congregation responded positively, encouraged that this may be a step forward in its search for a more permanent church home.

See WELS in the News to watch a local news clip about the fire.