Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Thieves With No ‘Respect for the House of God’ Swipe 5-Ton AC Unit From Atlanta Church
Ministry Watch ^ | August 25, 2023 | Stephanie Martin

Posted on 08/27/2023 8:56:22 AM PDT by Morgana

The pastor and parishioners of Dixie Hills First Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta are hot under the collar—literally—because of a brazen theft. Someone recently stole a five-ton air conditioning unit from a locked metal cage on the church grounds.

The culprits have “no decency or respect for the house of God,” said Rev. Michael Sutton. “Any time you can steal from God, you’re a bold creature.” Replacing the unit, which cools the worship area, will cost about $10,000. “Who would do this to a church?” Sutton asked. “Who would do this?”

During these dog days of summer, the pastor said he’s especially concerned for the comfort and safety of elderly worshipers. Fans placed in the sanctuary “will not suffice,” he said. Like much of the United States, Atlanta has been sweltering under high temperatures, with the heat index often reaching triple digits.

Rev. Michael Sutton: ‘Thieves Don’t Stop Because We’re a Church’

After cutting through padlocks and protective caging, thieves snipped the AC’s copper wiring and hauled away the unit. They also snipped wires for two even bigger units, but ran off before stealing those. “They were trying to hurt us,” Pastor Sutton said of the thieves. “And I guess they saw an opportunity for more money.”

Although Sutton has made a plea for the return of church property, he said he realizes that’s unlikely. “Thieves don’t stop because we’re a church,” he said.

Sutton is warning other local pastors to lock everything down and to turn on security cameras “because the bandits are back.” Dixie Hills doesn’t have surveillance cameras, and no one had reported any suspicious activity.

If the criminals are caught, they could face additional federal penalties for violating the Clean Air Act. The EPA hands out steep fines for cutting refrigerant lines that release ozone-depleting chemicals.

The demand for copper leads to brazen thefts of AC units of all sizes, say experts. In addition to protective cages and security cameras, they recommend lighting, alarms, and security patrols to deter thieves.

Pastor: Thieves Should’ve Asked Us for Help

Pastor Michael Sutton said the church isn’t pressing charges and forgives the thieves. If those people needed money, he added, they should have requested help from the church instead of stealing from it. “We’re not here just to sit here and praise the Lord by ourselves,” Sutton said. “We’re here to help others… that’s our job. The church is no good if it’s not there to help the community.”

Dixie Hills, which is preparing to celebrate its 91st anniversary, usually focuses on assisting other people. But now, after tapping its emergency funds, the church is asking for a helping hand. Anyone wishing to donate to repairing and replacing the AC units can do so at this link.

Sutton admits his church has faced some financial struggles, with attendance still lower than usual following the pandemic. But he trusts God to provide. “We just pray and ask God,” the pastor said. “And he comes through every time. Somehow, some way, I can’t explain it.”


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last
To: Psycho_Runner

“5 ton refers to cooling capacity and not physical weight.”

My last house had a 4 ton unit...but it never looked that heavy. Thanks for the info!


21 posted on 08/27/2023 9:29:35 AM PDT by BobL (Trump has all the right Enemies; DeSantis has all the wrong Friends)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70_CE)

Triumph
Titus and his soldiers celebrated victory upon their return to Rome by parading the Menorah and Table of the Bread of God’s Presence through the streets. Up until this parading, these items had only ever been seen by the High Priest of the Temple. This event was memorialized in the Arch of Titus.[50]

Some 700 Judean prisoners were paraded through the streets of Rome in chains during the triumph, among them Simon bar Giora and John of Giscala.[51][57] Simon bar Giora was executed by being thrown to his death from the Tarpeian Rock at the Temple of Jupiter after being judged a rebel and a traitor,[58] while John of Giscala was sentenced to life imprisonment.[59][60]


The pastor is right, when churches are attacked there is a big breakdown in the covenant.

somewhere the loot is being paraded.....................

Further thought:

1) Why wasn’t the arc of the covenant paraded by the Romans?

2) There was another time these items were revealed to the public. Anyone know when?


22 posted on 08/27/2023 9:31:37 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chaosagent

“A 3 bedroom might have 3 ton unit.”

Our 3BR rancher is 3948 sq ft. We currently have one 5 ton unit and one 2.5 ton unit.

We’re going to replace the old 2.5 ton with a 5 ton when we can. But we are in Texas where it’s been over 100 almost every day since late June. The 2.5 ton unit just isn’t cutting it.


23 posted on 08/27/2023 9:32:52 AM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

You know that is a bit strange. I could see forgiving them and not pressing charges if they returned it. But this? I don’t know does not smell right. I mean I can forgive but they still need held accountable.


It is built on the interpetation that you must for give.
The world likes that message.

But that is only a partial truth, note the second verse. Further reading in the Bible would refer to real repentance, not worldly sorrow which leads to death. Also note the word rebuke. But it does refer to another believer.

Luk 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.
Luk 17:4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

I always liked Mark Twain:

If a person commits a crime and doesn’t repent, what good did it do him? Someone else might just as well have committed the crime.


24 posted on 08/27/2023 9:41:00 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
Why wasn’t the arc of the covenant paraded by the Romans?

LOT of speculation and conjecture about that.

The church in Ethiopia claims to have the Ark, they keep it in a chapel where a guardian spends his entire life keeping watch over... something (the Ark or not). Before he dies he picks another man to be guardian.

It used to be that the Ark was brought out during festivals. Always covered, so that it could not be seen. There is a photograph from Fifties/Sixties that shows a black-covered object, about the size of a trunk, being hoisted aloft during a festival. Depending on who you believe, it's the only photograph known to exist of the Ark of the Covenant.

25 posted on 08/27/2023 9:43:28 AM PDT by Ciaphas Cain (America will need de-liberalization just as Germany had denazification.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Just mythoughts

I wouldn’t rule that out.


26 posted on 08/27/2023 9:51:15 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

That’s probably correct.


27 posted on 08/27/2023 9:51:35 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ciaphas Cain

LOT of speculation and conjecture about that.

But what does God say on the matter?

(ESV) And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the LORD.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.

There was something new to focus on. The New Covenant.

But it didn’t go away. God tells us where it is.


28 posted on 08/27/2023 10:02:02 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: PLMerite

My house in Mississippi is 2700 sq. ft. It’s got a 5 ton unit for the main part of the house and a 2.5 ton unit for the back two bedrooms and bath. In my area a 5 ton is a pretty standard size, it’s not really that big.


29 posted on 08/27/2023 10:05:11 AM PDT by GaryCrow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: chaosagent

To be technically correct, 5 refrigeration tons is 60,000 BTU/hr.


30 posted on 08/27/2023 11:05:31 AM PDT by hecticskeptic ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Thieves have no respect, period.


31 posted on 08/27/2023 12:38:55 PM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NWFree

As are all Dimocrats, as these perps most likely are.


32 posted on 08/27/2023 1:55:12 PM PDT by chickenlips (Neuter your politicians)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
The Ark was lost at the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem (587 BC). It was not in the Second Temple; the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple was empty.

Somehow, the Ark escaped the Babylonians and ended up in Tanis, Egypt, where it was discovered by Indiana Jones before being swiped by a some Nazis and a French archaeologist named Belloq. Eventually, it ended up in an American government warehouse, after being examined by some top men ... *top* men.

Or so I'm told.

33 posted on 08/28/2023 9:00:24 AM PDT by Campion (Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love - Little Flower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Campion

the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple was empty.


1) and revealed to the public when God tore the curtain from top to bottom. But quickly covered up by the leaders.

2) Where is it? If you believe God:

Rev_11:19 Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of His covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.


34 posted on 08/28/2023 11:12:48 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
and revealed to the public when God tore the curtain from top to bottom. But quickly covered up by the leaders

Everybody knew already that the Ark was not in the Second Temple; it didn't need to be "revealed".

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of His covenant could be seen inside the Temple

That's not the Ark of the Old Covenant, but the Ark of the New Covenant.

35 posted on 08/28/2023 12:00:12 PM PDT by Campion (Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love - Little Flower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson