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Two days after an arson fire at their church, the members of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Edgewood opened their doors to the homeless men of the community who needed a break from the summer heat.

Shortly after midnight on Aug. 18, police and fire officials responded to a fire at the church. The church building is a double-wide trailer designed to be a temporary worship, mission and study space to the 40 people who are now a part of the new church initiative.

The fire was confined to the underneath of the trailer, but heavy smoke damage was incurred, reported the pastor, the Rev. Charles Wilson.

Initial reports indicate that the fire was intentionally set, he said.

'I am not disturbed by the fact that it was arson,' Wilson said. 'It makes my resolve stronger that we are in the right place, at the right time sharing the love of Christ with people. If someone has a hole in their heart big enough to set fire to a church, there is a need that only God can fill. We are right to be here in this community.'

New Hope Christian Fellowship is an initiative church of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which provides financial and other resources to assist the new faith community to get off the ground.

Begun five years ago, the congregation consecrated its 44- by 24-foot building Jan. 30.

Even when they were meeting in a parishioner?s basement, the congregation believed its presence was vital.

'This is one of the more troubled communities in our area,' said Wilson. 'People who feel hopeless or helpless may sometimes do things that are inappropriate. But that?s the point of why we?re here ? to reach out to people to provide hope and the things that will allow them to have abundant life.'

One of the congregation?s most significant outreach efforts is a day shelter for homeless people, which opened this summer.

Each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, approximately 70 homeless people come to the building to rest, get cleaned up, eat a good meal, play games, watch Christian videos and receive information and referrals from area social services representatives.

During the summer, three people who visited the day shelter were able to be placed in a drug rehabilitation program, Wilson said.

As more volunteers come on board, the church hopes to expand the program to five days a week. A Bible study is planned for September for those who use the shelter.

'It?s about discipleship,' Wilson said. 'Providing Bible study will build on that.'

The investigation into who set the fire is on-going, Wilson said. 'But church will not be interrupted.'