SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas — The North American Mission Board, a Southern Baptist group from Atlanta, announced plans Tuesday to build a new worship center and education building for the Sutherland Springs community. The group is raising money for the $3 million project and promises it will all be paid for.

"Everybody's aware of this church,” said Scott Gurosky of Myrick Gurosky and Associates. “Everybody's aware of this situation immediately. And everybody we've talked to is excited about the opportunity to get involved."

The First Baptist community is happy to be moving forward without leaving the memories behind.

"We had the ultimate say. They asked us directly what we wanted," Revered Frank Pomeroy of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs said.

The church will be built on two acres next to the current site. It will face Highway 87. Hidden in these plans are symbols of strength, such as the stones that will be used on the exteriors. There will be plenty of windows to let in the light, and a tower that will hold the historic church bell that brought so much joy.

"The children, many of which we do not have anymore, our daughter included, their favorite thing on Sunday morning after Sunday school would be to rush to to the bell and see who could get there first to ring it and signify its time for church," Sherri Pomeroy of First Baptist Church said. "That part of our memories will be coming over with us."

The church will be much larger than before, but the reverend expects the 250 seat building will fill up fast. Since the shooting last November, the church has seen an increase in attendance.

"In the old adage, build it and they will come. We're filled to capacity at this point. Therefore I see the more that you build the more that will come," the Reverend said.

But thanks, he says, goes only to God.

"It's God who gets the Glory here tonight. Not us, not MG&A, not North American Mission Board. Praise God for them. But they're letting God using them to bring forth this building back to Wilson County back to Sutherland Springs," he said.

Through these people, Pomeroy knows God is here. Reverend Pomeroy said the current church, which is now being used as a memorial will stay in place for now. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new First Baptist church is set for May 5. It should be open by Spring of next year.

A website has been set up to help pay for the new church.  

*This donation site is not managed by Spectrum News.