HOT SPRINGS, AR -- Walnut Valley Baptist Church in Hot Springs opens a brand new sanctuary on Christmas Day. Earlier this year, a
storm destroyed part of their building.
Back in April, a powerful tornado tore through the sanctuary and left behind heavy damage. Eight months would pass before members could sit in the pews again. Coincidentally, the last time they held services here, they celebrated another special holiday.
"The fact that we leave our sanctuary on Easter and get to come back Christmas morning, that's pretty special to us," said Pastor Tim Forest.
But church leaders say even though they did not have a worship space for a few months, their faith never went away.
"We want to give God the glory and also recognize everything everybody has done for us," said Forest.
At the time, the pastor says he and 13 others were inside the building at the time. But they say
no one was hurt.
Since the storms, members have held services in other spaces.
