02/01/2026
Hey everyone! 2/1/26 There is still ice on the road to our temporary meeting location. Out of an abundance of caution, we will not have services today. We look forward to seeing you all next week and discussing our next steps for our Church’s reconstruction. In the meantime, I’ve left some thoughts below. Love Y’all… Hutch
Church family,
Y’all, the past few weeks have been heavy. There’s no way around that.
What happened to our church building was frightening, disturbing, and wrong. There’s no spiritual spin that makes it okay. Damage was done, sacred space was violated, and a lot of us have felt shaken, angry, confused, and honestly…hurt. That’s real, and that matters.
The person responsible will face the consequences of his actions. Scripture is clear that earthly justice has a place, and that accountability matters. Nothing I’m about to say changes that.
But I want to ask us to pause for a moment and look at this through the full lens of the gospel.
The title of my book is When Big Trees Fall. I chose that phrase because when something strong, familiar, or rooted crashes down, the damage spreads farther than anyone expects. It hits the ground hard. It sends shockwaves. And sometimes it reveals things that were hidden underground all along.
In the last few days, I’ve learned things that may have been the reason this person did what he did to our church. Again, this does not excuse what has happened. But it does remind us of something Scripture has been telling us all along:
We almost never know the full story of the person standing in front of us.
Jesus put it this way:
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”
— Matthew 7:1–2
That doesn’t mean we pretend wrong is right. It means we are careful not to reduce a human soul to their worst moment.
No matter the situation, this person still has a soul that still matters to God, even now.
Scripture tells us something uncomfortable but true:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8
Not after we cleaned ourselves up.
Not after we explained ourselves well.
Not after we paid back what we broke.
…While we were still sinners
That verse forces us to hold two things at the same time:
Sin is serious… and grace is deeper.
Here’s what it looks like to hold truth and grace together…
1. Justice matters.
Romans 13 reminds us that governing authorities exist for a reason. Crime has consequences. Accountability is biblical. Supporting justice does not make us unloving.
2. Grace is not optional for believers.
Jesus didn’t say, “Pray for the people who are easy to pray for.”
He said:
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:44–45
Praying for someone does not mean approving of what they did. It means refusing to let hatred have the final word in our hearts.
3. Brokenness often shows up too late for us to notice.
That’s the part that hurts the most. Sometimes we don’t realize how much someone is bleeding until the wound explodes into view. Mental illness. Trauma. Unresolved pain. These things don’t announce themselves politely.
Scripture reminds us:
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
— Ephesians 4:32
Tender-hearted doesn’t mean naïve.
It means we let compassion shape us instead of bitterness.
Church, I’m asking us to pray, not just for our building, not just for repairs, not just for peace to return, but for a man who has clearly lost his way. Pray for repentance. Pray for healing. Pray for salvation. Pray for his family. Pray that somewhere, wherever he’s at, God meets him with truth and mercy.
Because if grace can’t reach there, then it was never grace to begin with.
And finally, let this be a reminder to all of us:
Check on people. Ask real questions. Listen longer than feels comfortable. Don’t assume silence means strength.
Sometimes big trees fall not because they were weak, but because the rot underneath went unnoticed for too long.
Let’s be a church that tells the truth, upholds justice, and still believes no one is beyond the reach of Jesus.
Father we love You and we’re so thankful for You,
We come to You as Your people, grateful for Your protection, honest about our fear, and humble about our limits.
We thank You that no amount of brokenness is hidden from You. You see what we see, and You see what we don’t. You know the pain that runs deep, the wounds that go unnamed, and the struggles that never make it to the surface.
Lord, we pray for healing, for our church family, for those who feel shaken, and for those who are carrying anger or confusion. Give us peace that doesn’t come from ignoring the truth, but from trusting You with it.
We also lift up the one who caused harm. We ask You to do what only You can do: bring conviction where it’s needed, mercy where it’s possible, and restoration where hearts are willing. We pray especially for his family, that You would surround them with care, protection, and hope in the days ahead.
Teach us to be a people of truth and grace. Guard our hearts from bitterness. Help us love like Jesus loves… firmly, honestly, and compassionately.
We trust You with what we cannot fix.
We place this church, this community, and every soul involved into Your hands.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Love y’all. I’m praying with you and for you.
Hutch Preston
