A pastor says his heavily damaged church building in southeast Nebraska will be rebuilt.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the sanctuary and other areas inside United Methodist Church in Friend were destroyed by an early morning fire on Dec. 4.

The Rev. Paixao Baptista says church leaders are awaiting final approval from an insurance company before proceeding. He says work could begin in about two weeks, but he didn’t have a cost estimate.

State investigators say a burning candle caused the fire.