


Gill says investigators have no leads initially.

A church member saw the cross propped up against a closed gate at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church's parking lot Tuesday morning and reported it to the police. Other than scorch marks on the gate, there was no property damage.

Pastor Vernon Hooks said, "Whoever did it, we forgive him," as the charred remnants of the cross lay on the ground not far from where he stood.

"That's the message, that we are a forgiving church and we'll let the police do their job," Hooks said.





Hooks said the church, with between 150 and 200 active members, had received no other hateful messages or threats and he did not know who might have committed the crime.
