Sardis Church Rebuilt
Members of Sardis Ridge Baptist Church dedicated a newly built building after their old structure was burned by an arsonist in August of last year. “We just didn’t know what to think. We just started praying,” said member, Barbara Moore. Authorities said John Luke Bradfield, 18, was charged with the crime. Members said he later admitted he burned the church to the ground out of boredom. “It was just a building. We are the church,” said Pastor Donald Bain of Sardis Ridge Baptist Church. Bain admitted he struggled with understanding why Bradfield committed the crime. “For a while I was bitter at what happened,” he adds. The county is no stranger to adversity. In April of this year, Holly Bobo, 22, of Parsons went missing. “Our prayers are with her family. We can’t say we know what they’re going through, because we don’t,” said Pastor Bain. Bain said while the congregation may not fully understand why they have been plagued with problems, it has drawn the community closer. “In my heart I just wanted to be here, to be here with them,” said Clara Pettigrew, a visitor. Pastor Bain said if Bainfield wanted to change his course, he would be welcomed to worship with the church.
