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‘Save Gaza,’ ‘Welcome to Hell’ Spray-Painted on South Carolina Church

A church in West Columbia, South Carolina, was vandalized with pink spray-paint on Thursday, with messages similar to “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine.”

Suburban Baptist Church on Holland Street — which is a small congregation of about 25 — was additionally tagged with the phrase “Welcome to Hell” and a graphic depiction of male genitalia on the again doorways of the principle worship corridor, the State reported. The vandalism spanned the entrance doorways of the church to a home which serves as its youngsters’s ministry meals pantry.

“We don’t know who did it or why they did it,” mentioned senior pastor Tracy McGee. “It’s a depressed neighborhood. There’s all types of stuff goes on. I’m willing to bet two knuckleheads that just do graffiti work had nothing better to do and probably couldn’t find Gaza on a map. But I don’t know that for sure. That’s where we’re at. We’re praying for them.”

‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Free Palestine’ spray painted onto West Columbia church https://t.co/Jgb2t88duy

— The State Newspaper (@thestate) May 3, 2024

McGee added that vandalism pertaining to the Israel-Palestinian battle is a sign of a “strange time” within the United States.

“We are in a very divided time,” McGee mentioned. “We need strong leaders that will take care of our country. We’re just in a very divided time on all types of stuff. We respect all sides. That’s where we come down all the time. And we’re just praying for the government officials to get their act together.”

Associate Pastor Elijah Smalls centered his Sunday sermon on love and forgiveness after the vandalism, WLTX reported.

“The same way they spray-painted our door, it’ll be the same door that will open up to show them love,” Smalls mentioned.

McGee mentioned members of the West Columbia Police Department helped quickly repair the church.

“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 mentioned. “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.”

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, who attended the Sunday service, mentioned the vandalism is below investigation. He additionally informed the outlet the vandals broken different elements of the neighborhood.

“Some homes around here were vandalized; some public property, street signs were vandalized,” he mentioned. “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.”

McGee mentioned his church has acquired an awesome quantity of support from across the nation following the incident.

“From Canada, Texas, all over the Carolinas — calling and pledging and wanting to do what they can do for the church,” he mentioned. “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.”

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