Lahaina Baptist Back in Building

Written by Erik Naylor, LBC pastor

On August 8th, 2023, a catastrophic wildfire tore through Lahaina, destroying 2,200 structures and claiming 102 lives, becoming the deadliest fire in the United States in over a century.

Though most of Lahaina Town was destroyed, a small wooden structure survived the hurricane winds and melting fire. In God’s providence, Lahaina Baptist Church (LBC) was surrounded by smoke and flame but was not destroyed.

On September 1st, 2024, one year after the fire, Lahaina Baptist Church resumed meeting in the wooden building that was not claimed by the Maui wildfires. And perhaps that too is a visual picture of this wounded church beginning to recover from the spiritual devastation that did not ultimately crush her.

By God’s grace, I have been given the extraordinary privilege to serve the saints in Lahaina as the new pastor. We have seen 3 baptisms and 13 individuals join the church since the fire, and today, our congregation numbers 25 believers.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership through both the fire of 2023 and the spiritual battle that almost claimed this church. Thank the Lord that he will never leave us nor forsake us. And he has tangibly shown us this truth through fellow believers and sister churches like you.