Danville church responding with love and forgiveness after second vandalism this month

This weekend, River Oak Church of God was vandalized with spray paint.

This is the second time in the last three weeks area churches and businesses have been hit by vandals.

River Oak Pastor Ron Hill is preaching love and forgiveness.

He says the vandalism has some folks worried about the kind of people who would do such a thing.

They found the symbols and words hurtful but it's only creating cooperation between church members.

Pastor Hill said in a statement, "It is our prayer that love can overcome hatred and reconciliation can take place in our community, nation and the world."

Church leaders are looking into security cameras.

Pastor Hill says it's sad that they have to spend money on cameras and cleaning up the graffiti when they could be helping and serving others.

He says this weekend's vandalism had different messages than the writings found earlier this month.

Police have no information on suspects or whether the incidents are related.

Pastor Hill's full statement below:

"We were saddened by the recent vandalism of the church property. Our measured and hopefully compassionate response will reflect the teachings of Jesus. He taught His disciples to pray, "deliver us from evil..." It would be evil on our part to respond with anger or hatred. Rather our attitude is love and forgiveness. The church and individual Christians should be known by the fruit of the Spirit as taught in Galatians chapter five.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

It is our prayer that love can overcome hatred and reconciliation can take place in our community, nation, and the world."