A church in West Columbia, South Carolina, was vandalized with red spray- paint on Thursday, with messages such as” Save Gaza” and” Free Palestine” . ,
The State reported that the small community of about 25 people at Suburban Baptist Church on Holland Street had the word” Welcome to Hell” and a graphic portrayal of male penises on the back windows of the main devotion center. The church’s front doors were the site of a food closet for the church’s children’s department.  ,
” We do n’t know who did it or why they did it”, said senior pastor Tracy McGee. ” It’s a sad area. There’s all types of things goes on. I’d wager that two knuckleheads who only do artwork labor had nothing to do and were likely unable to locate Gaza on a chart. But I do n’t know that for sure. That’s where we’re at. We’re praying for them”.
‘ Save Gaza’ and ‘ Free Palestine ‘ spray painted onto West Columbia church https ://t.co/Jgb2t88duy
— The State Newspaper ( @thestate ) May 3, 2024
According to McGee, theft associated with the Israeli-Palestinian issue is an indicator of a” strange time” in America.
” We are in a very divided day”, McGee said. We require solid, responsible citizens who will care for our nation. We only have a very limited amount of time to work on various things. We honor all attributes. That’s where we come down all the time. And we’re really praying that the government’s representatives “get their work up”
After the theft, Associate Pastor Elijah Smalls focused his Sunday lecture on love and pardon, according to WLTX.
” The same way they apply- painted our door, it’ll be the same entry that may open up to show them love”, Smalls said.  ,
People of the West Columbia Police Department reportedly assisted in making the temple a temporary fix, according to McGee.
” He called, and he said,’ I got to get those doors with the pornography on them painted, you ca n’t walk through church doors like that,'” McGee said. ” We’re blessed, we have a professional team coming out the first part of next week. A third party was in charge of that and actually wanted to pay for it. The one who wanted to do that is an American-Palestinian.
West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, who attended the Sunday service, said the theft is under investigation. Additionally, he claimed that another neighborhoods in the area were harmed by the thieves.
” Some houses around these were vandalized, some common house, road signs were vandalized”, he said. ” We have people who are trying to figure out who came around and did these things, whether it be in our neighborhood or off. We’ll ensure that they get the care they deserve.
Following the incident, McGee claimed that his religion has received a sizable amount of support from all over the nation.
” From Canada, Texas, all over the Carolinas — calling and declaring and wanting to accomplish what they can do for the church”, he said. ” We’re a very humble religion, a very small chapel, so God has sat there and said,’ I’ve got you, I’ve got you covered”.
