The Value of Pastoral Renewal Leave
Rev. Matthew Smith recently returned from a renewal leave. He explains that it is more than a vacation; it is a time to deepen one's relationship with God.
Posted: February 25 2026 at 10:04 AM
Author: Rev. Victoria Rebeck
Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford suffered a fire on Monday night, Feb. 23, that started in its organ.
The few people who were in the building at the time responded quickly in contacting the fire department and left the building safely, said Rev. Caleb Hong, Christ UMC’s senior pastor.
Fans are drying water from the sanctuary, where the fire started.
According to WREX.com, a local television station’s website, firefighters had the blaze under control in five minutes.
The damage is limited to the main building.
“Some things in the sanctuary are completely destroyed,” Rev. Hong said. “The main building is closed for now due to smoke.”
Christ UMC is a multi-building campus, and its other buildings are unaffected. Activities scheduled for the main building have been cancelled or relocated elsewhere on the property.
A nearby synagogue, Temple Beth-El, immediately contacted the church and offered worship space for Sunday. Rev. Hong said that the church is also considering how it might use rooms in other buildings on the church campus.
The NIC Cabinet, which happened to be meeting at Christ UMC on Tuesday, prayed with two of the pastors at the church. From left: Rev. Hwa-Young Chong, Rev. Danita Anderson, Bishop Dan Schwerin, Rev. Brian Gilbert, Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann, Rev. Victor Melad, Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, Rev. Christian Coon, Rev. Dr. Audrea Nanabray, Rev. Caleb Hong (senior pastor, Christ UMC) and Rev. TK Lee (associate pastor).
“The pastoral staff, Revs. Caleb Hong, TK Lee, and Jane Bradford, are leading with calmness and confidence,” said Rev. Hwa-Young Chong, superintendent of the Prairie North District.
Rev. Hong expressed gratitude that the damage was not worse and no one was injured.
“There are lots of reason for hope,” he said. “We are developing new relationships with neighbors. With our main building being closed for a while, we will try new things and learn new things. Good will come out of this as well.”
He asked for prayers that the church will continue to grow even while the facilities are being repaired. “We want to keep growing in this, even if in new and unexpected ways.”