There is a popular song in contemporary Christian music called “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong UNITED. On August 20, 2025, there was another in the fire with me. His name is Jesus.
I was in a propane explosion on this fateful day. Three coworkers and I were in a mobile coffee truck that our church owns and operates. We were preparing to serve well over a thousand individuals who were moving their students back in at Wake Forest University.
As we finished our preparations, we began to hear an ear-piercing noise. All of a sudden, a flash went across the truck, and we were all on fire. A propane leak had ignited, and flames were everywhere.
As we screamed, scrambled out, and tried our hardest to remove the fire from our clothing, my mind went to Jesus. I called out to Him, and in the midst of the most excruciating pain of my life, He saved me. As I had skin literally dripping off my body, He came to me. I can’t say He took all my fears away, as it says in Psalm 34:4, but He was there all along to ensure my survival.
I spent 40 long days recovering in the hospital, just like the 40-day journeys that Noah, Moses, and Jesus also took. I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to utilize that time to witness, pray, and make the day better for all the doctors, nurses, and other people who walked into my room. I had many conversations with them about what was going on in their lives and would simply ask them if I could pray with them.
During that time, my hands and face were bandaged, and I was unable to use my phone. Those days were so sweet because all I could do was listen to the Holy Spirit prompting me to talk with the hospital staff about their lives and ask them, “What can I specifically pray about for you?” The response was positive, and so many were grateful for the prayers.
I may never write a book, stand on a stage, or speak again of this day when nearly half my body was burned. However, my hope and prayer is that I was burned for His glory and that He will continue to make beauty from these ashes.
No Comments