Thieves take equipment from church
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

Rev. Larry Brooks is willing to live by his faith, to forgive while turning the other cheek.

The same faith teaches him the conscience of those who stole from his church will eventually weigh them down.

Brooks's Youngs Grove Baptist Church recently was targeted by a thief or thieves who took more than $1,600 in lawn maintenance equipment after prying open the church's storage building.

Commercial-grade weed cutters made by Red Mac and Green Machine, as well as a backpack leaf blower, were taken during the break-in between Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. Theft losses and property damage are estimated at $1,670, according to a report at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

While disheartened, Brooks reasoned, "These are the type of people we as a church are supposed to pray for."

The church, which has about 250 members, likely will have to replace all of the equipment. Brooks doubted recovery would be possible.