Members of the Community of Faith Church in Acres Homes, north Houston, rallied together in a solemn ceremony to rid their place of worship from a “demonic” statue discovered just one week after a heartbreaking robbery incident.
Bishop James Dixon, pastor of Community of Faith Church, expressing his disappointment, remarked, “It’s disheartening. It is sad to think that people would do something like that.”
The statue, believed to represent “Santa Muerte,” an object of worship associated with drug cartels and criminals, was found in the church’s gazebo on Sunday.
Determined to uphold the sanctity of their church, church members united with their leader to set the statue ablaze while offering heartfelt prayers. One church member passionately emphasized, “This is sacrilegious. This is holy ground. This is our church,” as reported by KHOU-TV.
Despite the statue’s connection to certain criminal elements, it is important to note that “Santa Muerte” is not recognized by the Catholic Church, making it a distinct departure from mainstream Catholic worship.
The church had suffered a robbery just a week prior, during which surveillance footage captured the culprits utilizing a rolling cart to transport a safe containing both money and vital church documents.
Reflecting on the unfortunate sequence of events, Bishop Dixon lamented, “Here we are a week later and we’re having to defend ourselves and pray again against the works of the enemy.”
In response to the robbery, the church remained steadfast in their faith, offering prayers for the repentance and surrender of those responsible. “We destroyed the works of the devil,” proclaimed Bishop Dixon. “We’ve never had this before. So it hurts, you know, to know that this church does so much good for so many people.”
The Catholic Church previously denounced the worship of “Santa Muerte” in 2013, describing it as “the celebration of devastation and of hell.”
In times of spiritual attack or adversity, the Bible provides guidance on how Christians should respond. Ephesians 6:10-11 urges believers to be strong and rely on the power of God: “Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Furthermore, 1 Peter 5:8 advises believers to remain vigilant and firm in their faith: “Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
The Community of Faith Church stands as a testament to the resilience and unwavering faith of its members. Despite facing challenges and acts of desecration, their determination to defend their place of worship and continue their mission of service remains unyielding.
Through prayer and reliance on the strength of God, they strive to overcome adversity, exemplifying the teachings of the Bible in the face of spiritual attacks. {eoa}
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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