Convenient act of vandalism takes place at pervert-friendly church in Michigan

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:24-32

I'm always suspicious of "hate crimes" that occur at convenient times and places for alleged victims, because they almost always turn out to be hoaxes perpetrated by the alleged victims. I suspect that this example is no exception; as reported by Nick Buckley of the Battle Creek Enquirer, July 22, 2019 (updated July 23, 2019) (link in original):

As Battle Creek Pride was wrapping up a weekend of community events celebrating and raising awareness about the city's LGBTQ community, their gathering place was vandalized.

Battle Creek Pride and First Congregational Church said in a joint statement that an unknown person zip-tied a decorated cross on an entrance at First Congregational Church at 145 Capital Ave. ahead of a candlelight vigil at the church on Sunday.

The cross allegedly included a "vulgar, transphobic message" and the word "repent."

The candlelight vigil, which capped off a weekend that included the annual BC Pride Parade and Festival, honored transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence and suicide. The event was moved inside from Sojourner Truth Memorial Park to First Congregational Church due to weather.

"The timing of it was significant in that it seemed this person knew we had switched locations and wanted to intimidate us in some form or capacity," said BC Pride board member Ashley Feagin. "Those who believe in us and consider ourselves allies need to realize this happens every day for trans and gender non-conforming people. We are asking people to educate themselves."

In advance of the Pride Festival and Pride Parade, BC Pride commissioned a rainbow crosswalk at the Capital Avenue and Van Buren Street intersection.

The crosswalk, paid for with a $3,000 Battle Creek Community Foundation grant, drew protesters as it was being painted on July 8. Graffiti has since been found on the south crosswalk, "Good Times Create Weak Men Weak Men (expletive) Create Hard Times" followed by an OK symbol, which is widely viewed as trolling gesture.

When a member of BC Pride discovered the vandalism, they contacted Jaimie Fales, church and building administrator at First Congregational Church. Fales then reported the incident to police, who remained at the site during the hour-long vigil to provide extra security.

"We had a sanctuary full of trans people," Fales said. "(BC Pride) offices are in our church. Our church functions as a community center and 30 groups use our building throughout the year, and (it) is used frequently by trans people, so we take seriously the security of trans people who are using our space."

First Congregational Church became "open and affirming" in 2010, and is one of four churches in the city to hold the official designation that affirms a church's full inclusion of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons in the church's life and ministry.

"We believe that every person is a child of God," Fales said. "No matter what people say or think, that is absolutely the case and we have no right to exclude someone from God's grace because of who they are and who they love."

According to Fales, church security cameras captured images of the decorated cross being zip-tied to the door 45 minutes before the scheduled 9 p.m. candlelight vigil. The camera did not provide a clear image of the alleged perpetrator, however.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888.