Allen Baptist was hit last week when thieves cut the catalytic converters from two of the church vans.

Church Administrator and Worship Leader Jody Conley said the church was preparing for its Children in Action program when the van driver noticed the van’s loud rumble. They soon found that they were missing two catalytic converters.

“Your first thing is shock,” said Conley. “I guess, in all honesty, a little anger sits in.”

But, the feeling of anger was accompanied by another feeling,
“It’s the despair for the person who done such an act,” Conley said.

That despair was also felt by First Assembly of God in Martin, where church members discovered Wednesday that the catalytic converter for their van was also missing.

“The kids’ morale. They’re gonna be so sad to find out that somebody has done this to their bus,” said church board member Mack Martin. “This is a backset on us being able to pick up the young people.”

Though they can’t be sure who is responsible for the thefts, they know what they need to do.

“We pray for them. We hope that they will see the error of their ways and turn around. Turn to God,” said Conley.

Martin agreed, saying he prays for answers and prays that a change of heart will take place in the person responsible. But he said the church will move forward.

“If Jesus could forgive the thief on the cross, we certainly can,” said Martin. “We’ll overcome.”

The church bus vandalizations come weeks after the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 128 of Minnie found themselves in the same situation with their transport van.

Anyone with information related to the thefts is asked to contact local law enforcement agencies.