ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Members of Cornerstone Baptist Church are leaning on faith after a fire Saturday night damaged part of their Southeast Roanoke building. The church, which draws a small congregation of about 20 people, has faced a series of challenges in recent years, including repeated vandalism and harassment.

Pastor David Jones said he received a call alerting him to the fire as he was preparing to head back to town from visiting family for Thanksgiving. “They called my cell phone… and we heard that the church had a fire. I didn’t know the extent. I just knew there was a fire there,” he said.

Jones said the congregation has long navigated tensions in the neighborhood, including forced entry and, most recently, a rock thrown through the church’s window just days ago. Still, he emp

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