WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Members of the Suburban Baptist Church in West Columbia are spreading a message of love after their building was vandalized on Friday.
Sunday's sermon from Suburban Baptist Church Associate Pastor Elijah Smalls was a message of forgiveness and love to the people who spray-painted parts of the church's exterior and ministry home across the street.
"The same way they spray-painted our door, it'll be the same door that will open up to show them love," he says.
The graffiti ranged from messages such as "Save Gaza" and "Welcome to Hell" to various obscene depictions. West Columbia District 5 Councilman Mickey Pringle said he was heartbroken to see this happen to a staple in the community.
"I was totally shocked, because Suburban has been a part of this community forever, and all of the good things they do; serving the people of this community. I was like 'Who would even do something like that," he says.
Sunday was a different scene, with the doors painted white and the church sign covered by a poster board. Pastor Tracy Mcgee said a member of the West Columbia Police Department came to their aid and provided the temporary fixes.
"He called, and he said, 'I got to get those doors with the pornography on them painted; you can't walk through church doors like that,'" McGee said. "We're blessed; we have a professional crew coming out the early part of next week. We had an outside individual that really wanted to pay for that. The one that wanted to do that is a Palestinian-American.”
According to West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, who was sitting in a pew during Sunday’s service, the city is working to find those responsible. He adds that the vandals also damaged other parts of the neighborhood.
“Some homes around here were vandalized; some public property, street signs were vandalized,” he said. "We got folks who are working to figure out who it is, within our community or outside of our community; came here and did these things. We're going to make sure they receive the attention they deserve."
Mayor Miles said the city is still looking for the suspects and had no updates on their investigation.
During Sunday's sermon, Pastor McGee spent nearly 30 minutes addressing the crime and reminding the church about grace but also consequences.
"God never said, 'I'll take the circumstances away.' He simply said, 'I will still love you, and I can forgive you of your sins, but He paid a price," McGee said.
Pastor McGee said the community response has been overwhelming with calls from around the country.
"From Canada, Texas, all over the Carolinas - calling and pledging and wanting to do what they can do for the church," he said. "We're a very humble church, a very small church, so God has sat there and said, 'I've got you; I've got you covered."
Councilman Pringle said he hopes this will bring West Columbia together.
"Pastor Tracy, he's been a part of this community for a long time, and hopefully, everybody will rally to their support and give them the support they need," he said.
Pastor McGee said the church doesn't plan to slow down services or ministries after this. Anyone interested in helping can contact the church or visit it at 1700 Holland Street in West Columbia.
