MIAMI – Despite a fire the night before, parishioners gathered outside one South Florida church to celebrate Christmas.
Services were moved outdoors after a fire destroyed most of The Christ Revival Pentecostal Church in Little Havana.
"We are like a family," said church member Mirta Milan. "We are here to praise the lord."
Through tears and song, the congregation carried on in the church parking lot.
"We did lose a lot of things in the back, you know," said Jeremy Realegeno. "Instruments are all black, everything is all black. But we actually gained something. You know what we gained? Reaching out to people who need Jesus Christ."
Parishioners believe the fire started toward the back of the church.
But despite the fire happening on Christmas Eve, parishioners remain hopeful.
"That's another page," Realegeno said. "We're looking forward and we're positive. We're positive and that's why we're out here making our service no matter what."
The congregation plans to rebuild and renovate the building, but it could take months.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.