As hundreds of families across the Spokane, Washington, area begin the painful process of rebuilding after one of the region’s most destructive wildfire disasters, one survivor says losing everything only strengthened his faith in Christ.

Christopher Guyton, whose home was destroyed in the fires that swept through eastern Washington over the weekend, says the tragedy has reminded him that while possessions can disappear in an instant, the hope found in Jesus cannot.

Speaking with Fox News, Guyton reflected on the heartbreaking loss of his family’s home, where he lived with his wife, their two young children and their cat. Although the fire destroyed nearly all of their belongings—including his music studio and prized retro video game collection—he remains grateful that his family escaped safely.

“I’m able to see very clearly the love of Jesus Christ,” Guyton said. “There are a lot of people out there that lost their homes that don’t have Jesus, and that is way worse… what this makes me want to do is go spread the Gospel.”

The fires burned more than 10,000 acres across the Spokane area and destroyed more than 700 structures, leaving neighborhoods reduced to ashes. Burned-out vehicles, melted trash bins, and empty foundations now stand where homes once were.

Guyton, an audio designer who moved to Spokane in 2020, described the overwhelming reality of watching everything disappear “in the blink of an eye.” One of the hardest parts, he said, has been helping his young children navigate the sudden change.

“My 3-year-old, she doesn’t really understand why we can’t go home,” he explained. “My 1-year-old is a little bit too young to really understand anything.”

The family has intentionally shielded their children from seeing the destruction firsthand, believing it would be too traumatic.

Despite the enormous loss, Guyton says the love and generosity of his church family have carried them through the first difficult days.

“It’s been pretty difficult, but, luckily, we have a really supportive church family, and we are just super blessed with everything that we’ve been given just to try to start putting the pieces back together,” he said.

Guyton also shared a lesson from his pastor that has taken on new meaning in the aftermath of the fire—the difference between happiness and joy.

“He says, ‘Joy is something that you get from God, and when you have joy, you can still feel sadness, but there’s a lightness to that sadness,'” Guyton said.

While acknowledging the grief is real, he believes the joy that comes from knowing Christ has made the burden easier to carry.

“But we have joy because we have Jesus,” he said.

Authorities have charged 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of the three major blazes. Officials have also said he was previously questioned about two other wildfires in 2025. Guyton called the alleged act “a real shame” and said he hopes justice is served for the many families whose lives were turned upside down.

For Guyton, however, the greatest takeaway from the tragedy isn’t what was lost but what remains. Even after losing his home and treasured possessions, he says he has found a renewed purpose: sharing the hope of Christ with people facing life’s darkest moments.