CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - A Cedar Rapids church is still fighting to fully reopen after the derecho destroyed its building 5 years ago. After many roadblocks, work is expected to start soon.

Signs reading “Keep Out” line the perimeter of this building off of Blairs Ferry Road Northeast in Cedar Rapids.

It may look like a warehouse, but over 100 people gather here each week for church service.

“We trust God with the things we can’t control and we’re going to focus on the things we can control,” said Marcus Bratsch.

Bratsch is the lead pastor at River of Life Church.

He was in the building five years ago when the 2020 derecho peeled off the building’s roof and destroyed its walls.

“We were confused. There was insulation everywhere. We thought, was it a tornado? What happened? So we w

See Full Page