On behalf of Seattle Gospel Center, with a very heavy heart I am writing to share some sad news with you. A two-alarm fire broke out on the abandoned top floor of the Gospel Center building at around 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013. The fire lasted for over six hours before it was declared under control at 10:23 p.m. As a result, half of the building roof was burned through. There was severe water damage and concern about collapse for this 104-year-old building. The cause of the fire that heavily damaged the three-story structure was officially declared undetermined on December 26th. The building was determined “unsafe.” Gospel Center was red-tagged meaning a “do not enter” order was issued. The operation of Seattle Gospel Center at this site is officially closed effective December 27th.
Despite the tragedy, we are thankful for the privilege of evangelizing and bringing people to Christ at this site for the past 17 years. God has done many wonderful things through us and the Gospel Center. Many people have been touched and many lives changed by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We give praises to God for the eight new converts from our Christmas outreach event on December 21st. That was a sweet finish to conclude our ministry at this site.
While we do not know what the future holds for us and the Gospel Center, we do know for sure that God is in full control and He is with us. This is not the end. This is a new beginning. God is not done with us yet. We humbly solicit your prayers as we seek the Lord for the next step. Thank you for your partnership in Christ.
我懷著沉重的心情，謹代表西雅圖福音中心跟大家分享一個哀痛的消息。在2013年12月24日平安夜前夕，大約下午四時正，福音中心樓上廢置多時的頂樓發生嚴重二級火警。火勢持續超過六小時，直至晚上十時廿三分，消防局才宣佈控制災情。結果，這幢一百零四年的大樓樓頂有一半被燒毀，釀成嚴重水毀，並有倒塌危險。當局在12月26日正式判定起火原因不明，列為危樓。福音中心被「紅色標籤」，表示下令不許進入。福音中心在12月27日正式暫停該址的運作。
我們縱經憂患，還是要為福音中心在過去十七年來，有幸在該址傳福音、領人歸主而感恩。上帝透過福音中心作了許多奇妙的事情。主耶穌基督的愛，觸動了許多人的心靈，也改變了許多人的生命。感謝主讓福音中心在12月21日舉行聖誕佈道聚會，帶領了八位朋友決志信主，甜美地總結我們在該址的工作。
雖然我們不知道福音中心的前路如何，但是我們確信上帝是掌權的，是與我們同在的神。這不是一個結束，乃是一個新開始。上帝在我們的身上還有未完成的工作。在我們為下一步尋求主之時，請大家懇切為我們代禱。謝謝你們在主裡的同工！
主內
Christine Lau
劉許芬芬敬上
christine_fai@hotmail.com
206-972-2477