New York City ministers are assembling around the church in Harlem New York that lost everything in the explosion for round-the-clock prayer vigils. The deadly blast Wednesday morning destroyed two five-story East Harlem apartment buildings at Park Avenue and 116th Street.

Spanish Christian Church Bethel Gospel Assembly occupied the first floor of one the two buildings leveled by the explosion. Pastor Thomas Perez leader of the storefront church lost five members to the tragic eruption. The members reportedly lived in the apartments above the church. A total of eight people have been pronounced dead and more than 60 people were injured.

In a brief interview, Perez, who said his church plans to rebuild, told reporters, "I know that everything is in God's hands." Adding, "with the blessing of the Lord and the help of all these gentleman from around here I know we are going to rebuild the church again"

Thursday morning, ministers of all different faith from throughout the surrounding areas began holding the prayer meetings for the church. Pastor William Devlin from Infinity Church in the Bronx is leading the effort.

"We have all gathered together to support Pastor Thomas Perez," Devlin told CBN News. "He is an older gentleman in his 70s. The church had been there for 80 years...they really have been salt and light here in the community of East Harlem."

"The pastor is very concerned about the future of the church and what it is going to mean for him and where it is going to go," he continued. "The immediate need is to pray for them because there were apartments above the church that some of the congregants and parishioners lived in."

New York City firefighters began their workday Friday with hope of still of finding survivors from Wednesday's deadly gas explosion in East Harlem. Rescue workers searched a pile of rubble with sound devices to probe for voices and telescopic cameras to peer into small spaces. At least eight people are confirmed dead.

"We have to think of survivors and work in that way, with hope," said Fire Department of New York Chief Edward Kilduff to Huffington post.

Investigators later confirmed that at least five church members were killed.