Memphis Pastor Stays Resilient After Church Burglary
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This past weekend, one South Memphis pastor faced a heart-wrenching challenge when thieves raided his beloved church. It was a shocking sight for Pastor Gregory Harris of the Greater New Hope Baptist Church when he walked through the doors on a Sunday morning, only to discover that his sanctuary had been turned upside down.
A Shocking Discovery
Pastor Harris recounted the distressing scene, saying, “They stole everything that was not nailed down.” Indeed, the side door of the church had been ripped off, and various items within the sanctuary had been removed—including the speakers from the walls. The chaos didn’t end there; when the pastor made his way to his office, he found a mess that left him feeling violated.
“The thing that got me the most was when I walked in my office, I could hear water running and the toilet was gone,” Harris recalled. “They took the whole toilet.” It’s hard to believe that someone would stoop to such levels, even taking a toilet from a place of worship!
The Heart of a Caring Community
With a heavy heart, Pastor Harris reflected on the broader issues of violence and crime that plague the community. “It’s so much robbing. It’s so much killing. So much going on,” he said. He expressed his dismay at how people can be opportunistic, especially when it involves vandalizing a sacred space meant for gathering and prayer.
Interestingly, Harris mentioned that the burglars didn’t stop at just the valuables. They rummaged through every single nook and cranny, even disturbing a crayon box left out for the children in the church. It’s a stark reminder of the unfortunate reality faced by many in communities struggling with crime.
Faith Over Fear
Despite the devastation left behind, Pastor Harris is determined not to let this setback stop their mission. “God sees us and He knows how to tell us that everything is going to be alright and remind us who we belong to and what our mission really is,” he said, sharing a message of hope with his congregation. “So, that was my message this morning.”
With his unwavering faith, he announced that they will continue their services as planned. “I was going to say we weren’t going to have service,” Harris mentioned, “But that would be giving them the victory.” How inspiring is that?
A Message for the Thieves
The pastor didn’t hold back when it came to addressing those responsible for the burglary. “You might gain financial gain momentarily, but in the end what you’ve done will come back to haunt you later,” he warned, a powerful reminder that actions have consequences.
Community Support
As Memphis Police launch an investigation into the incident, they’re urging anyone with information to step forward. If you know anything that could help them catch these culprits, don’t hesitate to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
In a world where negativity can sometimes overshadow the good, Pastor Harris stands as a beautiful beacon of resilience. His message of hope and determination reflects a community’s spirit that refuses to be dimmed, no matter the circumstances. As he put it, the mission of the church will go on, and they will rise out of this darkness stronger than ever.
