GLEN ST. MARY, Fla. -- The lives of a Baker County pastor and his family changed drastically when flames left them with virtually nothing; still the family said it would not give up hope.

Fire ravaged the Ruise family's home off County Road 139 west of Glen St. Mary at the end of October.

Pastor Jaypan Ruise Sr., who is the head of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ and also the head of a large family, said his home is a total loss and a disaster.

"(It) spread within minutes. Didn't take long, and before you knew it the whole house was up in flames," said Ruise's son, Minister Randolph Ruise.

An empty space is now where a home used to sit. The burned-out shell of a car and a pile of ruins is all that was left behind for Jaypan Ruise, his wife and five other relatives, including two grandchildren.

The only thing he said he has left is the Bible he had with him at the time of the fire. Everything else is gone.

"As you can see, everything from childhood memories, pictures, photo albums, clothing, in fact they had just bought clothes, they were destroyed," Randolph Ruise said.

Despite the loss and the uncertainty, the Ruise family was thankful that no one was hurt in the blaze.

Now they're looking to the future, but said they need help.

"The Lord has truly been good, and he's still good. I'm just looking forward to him blessing more," Jaypan Ruise said.

"Our arms are open. We need help like never before," Randolph Ruise said.

The family said it has received help from the community, and another church has offered temporary housing for the pastor and his immediate family.

Anyone wishing to help the Ruise family should call 904-318-7655 or e-mail the family at newjerusalemcogic@bellsouth.net.