A small South Florida church says its worship equipment disappeared from a rented school space this past summer, and the matter has since been resolved, according to its pastor. Pastor Earl Wade of Oasis of the Fresh Anointing turned to WSVN’s Help Me Howard segment after the equipment went missing.
The church had rented a local school on Sundays for several years as its congregation grew from a small group meeting in a home. The school’s ownership changed over the summer. When Wade arrived one Sunday to set up, he found a locker standing open and everything inside gone, including a donation box with envelopes bearing the church’s name.
Wade said the new owner first suggested that staff may have thrown the items out and agreed to reimburse the church if that was the case. He asked for an inventory list, which Wade sent. Based on his review, the loss totals close to $5,000. Wade said he later stopped hearing from the owner.
Help Me Howard consultant Howard Finkelstein said the equipment belongs to the church, not to the old or new landlord, and whoever removed it is liable. He said the law requires payment of fair market value, not replacement cost.
WSVN reached out to the school and visited in person. Wade later told the station the matter had been resolved but did not provide details.
