WOODFORD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — The pastor of a Versailles church says they're out about $7,000 worth of equipment after a recent break-in.
But worse than the money, Micki Sargent says some of the items have sentimental value and can't be replaced.
Sargent says she and her husband have tried to make 99? For One church a safe place where all are welcome.
“That's our heartbeat here is to reach out, get them, and bring them in. let them know they're enough and they're loved and they're seen and they're welcome,” said Sargent.
But just a couple weeks ago, their sense of security was shaken. Sargent came by to find about $7,000 worth of equipment- bass guitars, a TV, microphones- gone. One bass guitar her 14-year-old daughter saved up to buy herself.
“I was hurt more than anything because we would give anybody anything if they would ask for it, if they needed it, no matter what it was,” said Sargent.
The church does have security cameras that likely caught the burglary on tape. But unfortunately, the burglar got away with the DVR system that had that recording.
“We're not gonna stop, it's not gonna stop us. We'll keep going,” said Sargent.
Sargent says since the break-in she's heard criticism from some for opening the church up to the homeless in extreme weather. She says some have told her that may be what caused the church to be targeted. But Sargent has no plans to change.
“We know there are chances for people to take things that are not there’s. but to judge the homeless to be the ones to do that is not right either so we continue on,” said Sargent.
She says they'd be willing to take the items back, no questions asked.
