JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville pastor is trying to raise money after he says his church was broken into and vandalized last weekend.
Bishop Hill, the pastor of the Greater El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Church, says a neighbor called him at around 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25th, saying a man broke into one of the Church’s buildings.
Upon arriving, Hill says he had discovered that someone broke in through a window, before climbing into the building and vandalizing the property. Hill also says the person responsible seemingly took off and left behind a pair of pants.
“Yet and still, this is the thanks we get,” Hill told Action News Jax.
Hill says his church has a long-standing history of philanthropy, with frequent food drives, as well as a “bread ministry” every Saturday, where the congregation hands out bread and pastries to those in need. Now, the church is asking for a helping hand itself.
“I’ve always told God, I just don’t want to be a preacher, I want to be a teacher. I wanna reach out and help somebody besides myself,” said Hall. “Now, we are in a position now that we need to help ourselves. And I just beckon for the community to do that for us.”
Now, Hall and some members of the congregation will be at the corner of W 20th street and Moncrief road, selling barbeque food every Wednesday through Saturday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., until they raise the money they need to rebuild what was damaged.
Hall also says donations can be sent to gospell75@aol.com on Paypal, or to $Bishop1955 on Cashapp, for those interested in helping the cause.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.