Lifepointe Baptist Church senior pastor Phil Greenbury reveals details on cause, and cost to rebuild

A beloved Sunshine Coast church may take years to rebuild after a devastating fire, a senior pastor has revealed, while new details from the investigation can be confirmed.

A beloved Sunshine Coast church is staring down the barrel of a multi-million dollar rebuild that may take years after it was completely destroyed by a fire.

It is believed the fire that engulfed Buderim’s Lifepointe Baptist Church - famous for its annual Christmas displays - was not lit deliberately.

Senior pastor Phil Greenbury said fire investigators were still looking into the cause, but he was confident and pleased to believe it was not suspicious.

The fire on the night of Friday, January 20, has shaken the church’s congregation and the community.

“There’s nothing to show that it was arson,” he said.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the cause of the fire was not suspicious.

He said the cause could remain undetermined because of the amount of damage.

The massive fire which engulfed Lifepointe Baptist Church near Maroochydore.

Mr Greenbury, a pastor of 23 years, said insurance could cover the initial rebuild of the church, but was unsure if this would cover the cost in total given the construction crisis.

He estimated it would cost “millions of dollars” and take 24 months to rebuild the church as they would likely have to pull down most or all of the building before starting over.

Lifepointe Baptist Church also created created a GoFundMe with a target of $50,000 to invest in gear, such as sound and music equipment, to continue church services.

The funds would also go towards hiring a venue to host various ministries, from children’s programs to craft groups.

Lifepointe Baptist Church senior pastor Phil Greenbury. Photo: Asa Andersen.

The church has already reached more than $19,800 from 143 donations, including a $1000 donation from Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson.

The senior pastor said he was close to finding a new venue to continue church services, but was still hunting for a location to host other ministries.

“It will be good to have somewhere to meet again,” he said.

Mr Greenbury said he learned about the fire at 11pm on Friday when his neighbour called him about it.

He said he “couldn’t believe it” and drove to his church only to find police, ambulance, and 11 fire engines fighting a “massive blaze above the building”.

The damage inside the Lifepointe Baptist Church.

He said 75 to 80 per cent of the building was now “destroyed”.

Mr Greenbury said the tragedy not only impacted his church, but wider community, saying hundreds of people and groups used the building built in 2001, such as counsellors, craft groups, and children event co-ordinators.

“That saddens us because we really want to give our community hope in times like this,” he said.

He said 75 to 80 per cent of the building was now “destroyed”.