Church’s VBS Signs Are All Stolen – Including Sign At Church

June 28, 2009

The members at Highland Baptist Church are puzzled that someone would steal all of the signs the church had put out to advertise this week’s Vacation Bible School — even going as far as taking a sign from the church.

hbcvbs2.jpgThursday night, church members placed 10 signs, valued at a total of $250, at locations from Highway 97 to Barrineau Park Road — including signs in private yards and at the church. Friday night, someone stole all of the signs. The signs were removed from their stands; the thief left behind empty stands at all ten locations.

Despite the missing signs, church members are still hoping to reach their goal of 200 enrolled in their “Boomerang Express” Vacation Bible School this week.

A witness did see the vehicle and person that took the signs, but the church is looking for anyone else with information to come forward and report it. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620.

The Highland Baptist Vacation Bible School will take place Monday through Friday evenings from 5:30 until 8:30 this week at the church on Highway 95A in Molino. The VBS is for children four years old to fifth grade.

If the church has 200 children to enroll in their VBS, they are planning to have a 50-foot banana split for the kids.

Editor’s Note: NorthEscambia.com is providing Highland Baptist Church with free advertising rotating on our front page this week to help them advertise their Vacation Bible School since their signs were stolen.

Pictured: One of the Highland Baptist Church Vacation Bible School ads that is currently running on NorthEscambia.com.

Comments

14 Responses to “Church’s VBS Signs Are All Stolen – Including Sign At Church”

  1. Bro. Brian on June 29th, 2009 8:15 pm

    Yes, Betty, we do have NEW SIGNS! YEAH!! THANK YOU Performance Graphics of Robertsdale, Alabama for reprinting our signs. Thank you Mrs. Davis for seeing to this and getting it done! As a result of this act of kindness, 2 different families saw the NEW SIGNS and registered their children for VBS tonight. And PRAISE THE LORD we had 225 in total enrollment tonight!! Our goal was 200! God REALLY does work ALL things together for good. Thanks again, northescambia.com for your support. We are extremely grateful for you . . . for all of you!

  2. Betty on June 29th, 2009 3:28 pm

    We have some new signs out!
    Thank you to the gracious church member that spent all morning making signs to replace the ones that were taken. Thank you to all the community for your support.

  3. Frank on June 29th, 2009 12:39 pm

    At least they didn’t get the last two signs!

  4. John on June 29th, 2009 10:12 am

    Absolute and complete eyesore. All of these signs look trashy. ALL of them, including the political signs that stay up like weeds thoughout the years.

  5. Michelle Cayson on June 29th, 2009 8:43 am

    Look on the bright side, they did you a favour. Now you have free advertising through the press.

    So thank you and GOD bless for this unknown act of random kindness..

    Even out of bad GOD will shine through with his splender.

  6. Lisa on June 28th, 2009 10:23 pm

    that is sad…..People have no respect!

    I wonder if it was a former member of the church or something? Sounds like they went out of there way to only steal the church signs… Sounds like the thief had a motive to me….

  7. Anonymous on June 28th, 2009 8:57 pm

    Geez. You people are out for blood.

  8. Jacob A. Garrett on June 28th, 2009 7:16 pm

    If I was the theif,I would not have taken the signs! The police should arest the THEIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Brittany E. Garrett on June 28th, 2009 7:03 pm

    I can’t Belive someone would STEAL CHURCH SIGNS!!! I’m mad at this Theif! Because,It is my Uncle Joels’ ,my Aunt Lana’s and my two Lovely Cousins,Benjamin,and Kayleigh Church oh yeah and my School Freind to.
    I hope that they catch this Theif!!!!!!!!! Good Luck Church!!!!

  10. mommyof2beautifulgirls on June 28th, 2009 4:01 pm

    wow! i can’t believe this happen! i’m saddened to hear of this about the church,i hope that vigilante gets what he deserves,very disrespectful. my 2 girls are going to this even at the church and i hope that everything turns out as expected and the church reaches its goal!

  11. Bro. Brian on June 28th, 2009 2:42 pm

    We know that all things will work out for our good and God’s glory (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Even though whoever did this obviously had mischief in their heart, we know that God will work it out for the good. We’re believing for the absolute best VBS ever! VBS is not simply an event — it is the opportunity to impact eternity one precious life at a time. This is really about the children and we know that God has something amazing in store for this week. The person who did this needs our prayers. I shudder to think of how they will account for their actions when they stand before the throne of grace one day. Jesus said in regards to causing little ones to stumble that “it would be better to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” How does one justify actions that presumably took place in an effort to prevent children from being able to participate in an opportunity to know Jesus as their Lord as Savior? THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, William and northescambia.com for sharing this story and for your generosity in giving us FREE publicity this week. May God bless you many times over for blessing so many families in the North Escambia community. Sincerely, Bro. Brian

  12. a harsh judge on June 28th, 2009 1:17 pm

    friend,

    There’s nothing like a non-vindictive, non-revengeful atttitude. Good for you.

    Just my opinion after reading your post.

  13. friend on June 28th, 2009 9:55 am

    The person that took the signs should be arrested. They did go on private property and take some of these signs. Could the private property owners press charges. I fill like this would teaches them to not do this again. Maybe they should have to do community service. It would be great to see the person who did this have to get up in front of the church and tell everyone they are sorry. I hope that their name is also put in the paper.

  14. JJ on June 28th, 2009 2:12 am

    I’d check with the county. I know their sign ordinance enforcement seems pretty selective sometimes… who knows, they might have confiscated them for some stupid reason.