FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - A local church that gives recovering addicts and people coming out of prison spiritual healing, was burglarized for the second time in the last four years.

Thieves broke into Lincoln Park Community Church.

They walked in through the church's unlocked front door and stole thousands of dollars in food and equipment.

"Things were missing, all the doors were open, things were out of place," Lincoln Park Community Church Pastor Paul Van Camp said.

Pastor Van Camp came into Lincoln Park Community Church to find someone had broken one the ten commandments, thou shalt not steal.

"Like any victim you feel violated," said Pastor Van Camp.

The thieves busted down his office door, creating a rummaging mess inside.

"They'd gone through all of my desk drawers and cabinets," said Van Camp. Just looking for whatever.”

In the kitchen they stole $400 worth of food.

Food used to feed members of their Celebrate Recovery Program to heal people with hurts, habits, and hang ups every Tuesday.

"It's kind of a sinking feeling," said Van Camp.

Over in the sanctuary is where the thieves made the most damage.

They stole a keyboard and five monitors.

Equipment used during worship service totaling about $3,000.

"We don't have a great income for one thing and so it's a big loss," said Van Camp.

Their prayers were answered when the pastor got a phone call with a tip.

"A neighbor had called somebody in our church and said that they thought they might have some speakers that belonged to our church," said Van Camp.

Then the pastor retrieved four speakers and the keyboard from under a tarp.

"Well I'm pretty excited for my worship team," said Van Camp. My wife was happy she plays the keyboard."

While bringing in the equipment a different neighbor delivered some more good news.

"He said well I got a speaker like that in my yard," said Van Camp.

He then got the last missing speaker from his backyard.

"So we got all the equipment we think that was swiped back on the stage again," said Van Camp.

Pastor Van Camp says the church has had over a dozen burglaries.

We first told you about one that happened in 2008 where thieves stole $4000 dollars worth of musical instruments.

"If you’re working with people with those kinds of struggles you’re bound to face some of the things that they do in life."

Members of the Baptist church say this act of burglary does not supersede their drive to help the community.

"You don't give up, you keep trying to help people and help them change," said Van Camp. That's what we're here for to give them Christ's love."

If anyone would like to donate food or money they can contact the church at 218-428-4462.