A Wilson County church that was heavily damaged in a fire caused by a lightning strike is now able to worship again in that building.

Back in June of 2011 a lightning bolt struck the sanctuary of First Free Will Baptist Church and started a massive fire. The ceiling caved in and most of the church suffered heavy smoke and water damage.

Now it is a completely different story. After almost 8 months of repairs the church reopened it's doors Sunday. Three hundred people were in attendance at the service.

Pastor Doug Radford said, "I'm excited about being here for sure. It's good to see that the church family is energized by being back here together."

Church member Karen Durrett said, "In the beginning it was disbelief, and then everybody just seemed to band together in prayer to get us where we are now. The feeling in there this morning is just on of joy and thankfulness to our heavenly father that we are back together under one roof."