Stolen van leaves Tucker church members stranded

TUCKER, Ga. — A local pastor is scrambling to find transportation for his members after someone stole the church van.

"This bus was a great blessing for our church," First Agape Baptist Church Pastor Tek Dharnal told Channel 2's Ashley Swann.

Dharnal said he and his congregation prayed about getting a van for two years.

"We could not buy that van," Dharnal explained. "But somebody at the mercy of God, they donated this van."

Less than two months after their prayers were answered, someone took the white '97 Ford 12-passenger van right out of the parking lot.

"This is like 911, emergency need for our church," Dharnal said.

With only three cars and few drivers among the congregation of 100, most of them recently resettled refugees from Bhutan, a kingdom in South Asia, Dharnal and his family used the van to bring each and every member to church for worship.

"Service and church ministry and the fellowship is very, very important," Dharnal said.

Last Sunday, no van meant no service for many in the congregation.

"They are calling me, 'Why (didn't you) come?' Dharnal said. "They didn't understand the problems."

Dharnal said he's reported the theft to police, but is praying to God that whoever took it might think of what it means to them and bring it back.

"We love them and we forgive them and ask them to return that van as soon as possible," said Dharnal.

A Korean church donated the van to First Agape.

Anyone with information on its whereabouts is asked to call 911.

WSBTV