A church in Denver is seeking to reconstruct itself following a fire on a Sunday morning that resulted in approximately $200,000 worth of damage. Daniel Jeong, the head pastor, expressed that the church held significance not only as his workplace but also as his residence.
Jeong recounted being asleep in his office at the Good News Denver Church located at 2500 S. Sheridan Boulevard when the fire occurred last week. It was around 2:30 a.m. when the pastor awoke to the scent of smoke and the blaring of a fire alarm.
“I opened my office door, and oh my goodness, so much smoke poured out,” said Jeong. “I almost passed out.”
Upon regaining his composure, Jeong promptly roused his three young children and ensured their safety. Shortly thereafter, Denver fire personnel arrived and extinguished the fire, leading to no reported injuries.
Investigators told Jeong the fire was started by an unhoused person, who they believe was attempting to stay warm. Police have not identified a suspect or made any arrests at this time.
The fire damaged seven rooms, including Jeong’s office, the hallway, and the basement, which was supposed to be a new daycare center. The church had just finished construction on the daycare, which was supposed to open later in the year to serve low-income families in the area.
Image courtesy of Daniel Jeong.
Jeong said his family lost almost all their belongings to the fire and is currently living with his brother. Despite losing his home and facing major work setbacks, Jeong said he forgives the person who caused the fire.
“I don’t want to blame the person who set the fire,” Pastor Jeong shared. “I believe God allowed this to happen. This is not a disaster in God’s eyes. It is good.”
In the aftermath of the fire, the church’s congregation and local businesses are lending their support. Crews from a local restoration company worked to purify the air ahead of Sunday’s service.
Image courtesy of Daniel Jeong.
“We saw a lot of help in just one week,” said Jeong. “So many pastors and organizations are willing to help us restore the building. It’s been incredible.”
The building also hosts a Hispanic church led by Pastor Eric Zamora. The pastor also runs a local construction company and has spent the past week conducting demolition work on the building, including tearing out drywall, carpet, and insulation soaked with smoke and water from firefighting efforts.
“We’ve been working on cleaning the walls, priming, and painting,” said Zamora. “We’ve also had to replace some parts of the roof, as it was severely damaged from the fire and the water used to put it out.”
Although it was challenging, Zamora said that because of his faith, he trusted that some good would come out of the crisis.
“I think it’s an opportunity for us to work together,” said Zamora.
The church has raised some funds through a GoFundMe campaign, but there is still a long way to go. Pastor Jeong admitted that without fire insurance, the church must rely on the community’s generosity to recover.
“We need all kinds of help,” he said. “Whether it’s donations, construction services, or even small contributions, every little bit helps.”
Rebuilding hope: Denver church in need of help after Sunday morning fire
