New Tabernacle of Faith

A copper theft. That’s how we begin our story about the New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church. Imagine this place, a beacon of faith in East Garfield Park, suddenly plunged into darkness. New Tabernacle of Faith has stood here for over 40 years. It has been a cornerstone of the community, offering solace and support to its members. Then, one Tuesday evening, Reverend Paul Jakes Jr., a leader at New Tabernacle of Faith for 25 years, arrived to counsel a grieving young man. He found the church shrouded in an unexpected darkness. The electric meter had been ripped from the back of the building. Copper wire, the lifeblood of the church’s electrical system, was gone. Stolen. The cost of repairs was estimated to be between $1,200 and $1,600. A significant sum for any church, and a burden for New Tabernacle of Faith. The theft left the church without lights and phone service. Reverend Jakes and the young man he was counseling had to rely on the dim light of a cell phone flashlight. Imagine the scene. The hushed whispers of comfort, punctuated by the flickering beam, a testament to the resilience of faith in the face of adversity. The New Tabernacle of Faith, a place of worship, violated. This act was not just a theft of copper, but a disruption of sanctuary, a blow to the heart of the community. The police were called, fingerprints were taken. The investigation began. The New Tabernacle of Faith, however, continued its mission. Even in darkness, it remained a beacon of hope, its spirit undimmed by the shadows.