GRAFORD (CBSDFW.COM) - A church in Palo Pinto County is ready to rise after devastation. The flames that scorched much of the North Texas area last year brought down the First Baptist Church of Possum Kingdom Lake. Now, nine months later, the congregation is ready to begin a new chapter on the road to recovery.

Members of the church gathered on Sunday to break ground for their new building. Now an open field, the location will soon be home to a new worship hall. The pastor hopes that the new building will be completed by July 4.

Church secretary Bobbie Worsham remembers the horrific day that the last building was burned to the ground. She actually saw it happen. “We could not believe that the fire had gotten the church, because we thought it was under control,” said Worsham.

Although the members have been without their main worship hall, they have not missed a single service. Worship moved to the Family Life Center and other classrooms. Now, the congregation is ready to move forward in a big way.

“We always felt God had a plan and would do great works through this,” Worsham said of the fiery incident. “Today is fulfilling of that promise.”

There was a huge outpouring of support from other churches in Palo Pinto County as well as neighboring counties. That support helped the small membership stay intact and grow even closer.

“God has done a miraculous work in this church family,” explained Ferel Gage of the Palo Pinto Baptist Association, “not only in the building and providing materials, but in keeping a church family together.”

Church members believe that – with prayer – the future for their congregation is bright.

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