Tulsa Church Holding Fundraiser To Replace Stolen Air Conditioners

A Tulsa church is holding a fundraiser after thieves stole their air conditioning units, making this the second time in less than two years that the church was targeted by thieves.

In September 2015, someone tried to steal copper from air conditioners on the roof of Tulsa's Indian United Methodist Church and caused $6,000 in damage.

At that time, church members held an Indian Taco dinner to raised money to fix them, cooking in a kitchen without air conditioning.

9/18/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Church Sells Indian Tacos To Raise Money After Attempted Theft

The two air conditioning units were stolen earlier this week and the church now needs $5,000 to cover the insurance deductible.

“It hurts a little church like us. It really does,” said church member Nancy Hummingbird.

Pastor Samuel Battiest Jr. said, “It doesn't make us angry. it's just disappointing that this would happen."

The church members have once again found themselves cooking Indian Tacos in the kitchen without air conditioning to raise the money.

The congregation is small and financially strapped.

"We've kind of started a penny collection just to raise money," Hummingbird said.

A taco fundraiser was already set for Friday and Saturday to raise money for the church's food pantry, which is a ministry to their neighborhood.

The church is well-known in the north Tulsa area for its ministry and food pantry, both of which are open to anyone. 

"Some of the members that may be mowing the grass, they come up here and thank them and give them a hug," said Battiest Jr. "[They] ask them to pray with them so it's really a great benefit the people in this neighborhood, this area."

The money raised will now go to replacing its air conditioning units.

"We talked about whether to cancel it or not, but we can't cancel it. We need the income now more than ever," Hummingbird said.

The fundraiser is being held at 1911 North College Avenue and will take place Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

They'll be selling the Indian Tacos for $7 each.