Jacksonville pastor says someone broke into and vandalized church before leaving pants behind

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.

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