Woman who made previous threats arrested for Austell church fire

Alleged arsonist arrested after sending threatening texts

Aries Jordan is behind bars facing multiple charges tied to the blaze, which broke out late Monday night. Lead pastor Raphael Grant said Jordan had previously sent threatening messages to his wife and others in the congregation. Grant said services will continue outside in the church parking lot at 10 a.m. Sunday.

AUSTELL, Ga. - A woman has been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a massive fire that destroyed Eagles Chapel International Ministries in Austell.

What we know:

Cobb County jail records show Aries Jordan is behind bars facing multiple charges tied to the blaze, which broke out late Monday night.

Aries Jordan

Lead pastor Raphael Grant told FOX 5 the woman arrested is the same person he suspected. He said Jordan had previously sent threatening messages to his wife and others in the congregation and even once came to the church asking for deliverance.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fire damages Austell church, sanctuary roof collapses

What they're saying:

"For her as a person, I have forgiven her," Grant said. "I am happy about that, but it doesn’t change the fact that the church is burned."

Grant said the threats were explicit, including one text in which she wrote she was going to burn the church down.

"She has sent threats like she was going to kill one of the ushers in the church," he said.

The arrest comes as investigators work to determine a motive.

Courtesy of Austell Fire Department

"We just finished rebuilding everything. Chairs… Everything," Grant said. "You have to be possessed by a demon to do something like that. You can’t be a logical rational human being. You have to be possessed by an evil force to do that."

The fire came just days after the church completed a major renovation project following flood damage. Grant said the administration portion of the building had just reopened last Thursday and was used for Sunday service. The fire destroyed it the following night.

What's next:

Grant said services will continue outside in the church parking lot at 10 a.m. Sunday