MACON, Ga. — A West Macon church held Sunday services in its chapel despite significant damage to its main sanctuary after a car slammed into the building during a police chase last week.

The Abundant Word of Grace Church sustained a large hole in the side of its sanctuary when the vehicle crashed into the structure. Despite the damage, Pastor Hilliard Arline and dozens of congregation members gathered for the church's first service since the crash, which left the driver dead.

"I know the building has a hole in it, in the wall over there, but we're still standing," Arline said during Sunday's service.

The pastor described the crash as a test of the congregation's faith rather than a setback.

"This opportunity is not necessarily a hindrance but it's providing for us the ground with

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