Thieves broke through the drywall and cleaned out the Redeemed Christian Church of God Christ Chapel Jan. 16 and 17.
Image Credit: Tunde Kuku
January 29, 2018 - 8:00 PM
KELOWNA – The pastor and congregation of a small Rutland chapel are trying to survive after back to back thefts took everything they have.
Pastor Tunde Kuku came from Nigeria three years ago to help start a church. Since then membership of Redeemed Christian Church of God Christ Chapel has grown to around 40 - mostly students.
When Pastor Kuku showed up for work at the little chapel at the back of a commercial building on Rutland Road North Jan. 16, 2018, he knew right away something was wrong.
“They came in through the wall,” he says. “I never had any idea that this kind of thing would happen.”
Thieves took a TV, keyboard and mixing board.
The next night they came back for what was left - two speakers and a second television.
“Two nights,” he says. “It was empty. Everything we had, they carted away.”
Pastor Kuku estimates it will cost his chapel roughly $2,000 to replace the equipment.
Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says in a media release the loss “has had a significant effect on the chapel’s ability to fully operate” but Pastor Kuku says they intend to continue meeting every Wednesday and Sunday - with rented sound equipment.
“No TV or any keyboard until we are able to replace.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Const. Katherine Bizier of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Or if you wish to remain completely anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or text your tip information to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
Several wall were damaged at a local chapel when thieves broke through the drywall Jan. 16, 2018.
Image Credit: Tunde Kuku
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