Unrepentant thieves target Elsies River churches

Yet another Elsies River church has been targeted by criminals, who made off with thousands of rands worth of equipment.

In the third incident reported this year, People for Christ Ministries, situated at Budget Centre in Southern Cross, have fallen victim to a break-in during the early hours of Friday, where new equipment to the value of about R50 000 was stolen.

Bishop Keith Brooks said it was their first break-in since moving into the building three years ago.

 “We found out about the break-in when people phoned us to say that the door is open because they smashed the front door.

"People [suspects] do what they did because of ignorance and dark forces that are trying to fight the church. They even touched the [anointing] oil but we believe that God will work with them in a mysterious way."

The suspects took off with two rows of chairs, a new public address system known as a PA system, a new bass guitar, mics, speakers and a computer.

Brooks said that one PA system cost about R20 000.

He said the church was planning a fundraiser for a women’s retreat at the end of November but now needed to focus on getting a new sound for the church as well.

“The fundraising was planned to send disadvantaged women of our community to a women's retreat in November, which is my wife's yearly endeavour to empower these ladies to be better leaders within their environment, home, work and community.

"Now we have to re-focus and plan a fundraising for our musical equipment as well.

"Most of the equipment is new but for our Sunday service and Monday night prayer we were blessed with sound and that is just how God works."

The Eureka Lutheran Church on 35th Avenue has been ransacked numerous times.

The building has been stripped of its furniture, windows, doors, music equipment, electrical wires and kitchen equipment.

Last month the United Mission Church in Leonsdale also had their music equipment stolen with no signs of forced entry.

Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed they are investigating the matter.

"According to reports the caretaker of People for Christ Ministries discovered that the church was broken in to. It was found that that sound equipment to the value of R39 950 were stolen. Investigations continues, no arrest as yet."

Brooks is appealing to the community to be on the lookout for anyone who tries to sell the equipment or have any information to contact him on 067 726 6745.

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