Author: Texas Gospel

A man accused of 20 felony counts including vandalism of religious property and three counts of arson pleaded not guilty this week in a California courtroom.

Christian Michael Garcia was arrested in connection with a series of arsons targeting Southland California houses of worship according to a report from the Highland Park Patch.   The paper said the criminal complaint also includes hate crime allegations.

The most recent fire in which Garcia has been charged is a blaze that happened Jan. 25 at the Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights, California. The Los Angeles Times reports that firefighters were able to prevent fire from spreading to the sanctuary.

According to jail records, Garcia remains held on bonds totaling $750,000.

Vandals spray painted “Satanic symbols” and derogatory comments about Billy Graham on at least two church buildings in Greenville County, South Carolina over the weekend.  A report from WYFF says the vandals spray painted messages including, “To hell with Billy Graham. We venerate Satan.”  Rev. Billy Graham passed away last week.

At least three other churches in the same area have had vandalism since Jan. 27, according to a report from WSPA TV 7.  The vandals have managed to avoid surveillance cameras.  Evidence was gathered at one location, but details have not been released.

Officials in Greenville County say it is believed the damage was done sometime between 5 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.  A sheriff’s office spokesperson said as of Monday there are no suspects in the case.  Officials have not determined a motivation.  Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 864-23-CRIME.

 

 

Leaders in The Islamic State are urging Muslims to kidnap and murder Christians according to a report published by Newsweek. The report says ISIS claims Russia has religious reasons for occupying areas in the Caucasus and Central Asia.  The call for killing Christians comes days after ISIS claimed credit for a deadly attack on a church in the Russian region of Dagestan, according to a report in The New York Times.

A BBC report on the church attack says five women were killed in the church shooting.  Five others, including a police officer and a national guardsmen were injured.

Volunteers spent most of the day Thursday repairing a display of three crosses that were knocked down by the same vandals that destroyed a Ten Commandments monument on private property in Tennessee.  WBIR television posted photos of the restoration work.  The TV station also posted a YouTube video of the story.

The property owner, Rowdy McCall, said he will pray for whomever knocked down the 12-foot tall crosses.  He said he will keep the display up as long as he owns the property.

No other information has been released about the vandalism.

Fire officials in Curwensville, Pennsylvania have ruled a fire at a Lutheran Church as arson, according to a report from WJAC television.  The fire happened at the Lutheran Fellowship Church on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. A fire department spokesperson was not immediately available when Texas Gospel called for further information.

There was no indication of a motive for the arson.

Curwensville is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.