Rockville, Woodbridge Churches Help Knoxville Church Recover From Arson

Rockville, Woodbridge Churches Help Knoxville Church Recover From Arson
Story by Beth Michaels
Photos by Vonda McLean

Members from Potomac Conference’s Rockville (Md.) and Woodbridge (Va.) congregations are making efforts to help their sister congregation, the College Hill church in Knoxville, Tenn., recover from recent fire damage. Although it has not been ruled a hate crime, the College Hill church was one of seven churches set fire across the South following the massacre of nine members of a historic black church in Charleston, S.C., last month.

Authorities did report an arsonist started the fire, which included the church van the College Hill church uses for community services activities in the area.

Rocky Twyman (second from left) and Sam McLean (far right) flank Mike May, candidate for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney (in white), as they pray for the College Hill congregation and racial tensions across the country.

The Woodbridge church set up a prayer booth at the Dale City Fourth of July Parade, where a host of individuals of all races and faiths flocked to pray for the College Hill church. They also presented a large card full of good wishes to College Hill pastor, Cleveland Hodby. The Woodbridge and Rockville churches are also planning to hold a musical fundraiser in August to help the Knoxville church purchase a new van.