HOUSTON – A small church in Sunnyside is reeling after thieves broke in, stealing thousands of dollars in equipment and forcing the cancellation of Sunday service at The Living Rock Community Center.
Pastor Robert Valyan Jr., who has led the church for about 24 years, said this is the second time the church located on 4631 Maggie Street has been hit in 2025.
“We tried to clean it up,” Valyan said. “It was something to come in and see stuff scattered everywhere. It just, you know, like come on now.”
The thieves didn’t just break a window — they turned the holy place upside down.
Valyan said he was angry when he saw the mess. “I was really angry. To be honest with you, it was a mess.”
The burglars snatched everything within reach, including the church’s sound equipment.
“Up here is where I had the sound equipment at. I had a Mackie mixer, an amp, three basses, and three cordless mics,” Valyan said.
The Living Rock Community Center and its fellowship parish out back were both hit, with losses estimated between $5,000 and $7,000.
Valyan expressed frustration that the thieves showed no respect for the sacred space.
“They don’t care. Just came in God’s house and violated God’s house like this.”
Despite the loss, Valyan finds strength in his faith.
“The Lord saved my life many years ago and blessed me. I go back to his word, and right now it just says, ‘Then Jesus said to him, Away, away with you, Satan.’ We just have to keep saying that, keep rebuking the devil, because he’s always going to come. But it’s up to us to keep standing on God’s word.”
The pastor said the church is still trying to figure out how to replace the sound system but hopes to hold service this coming Sunday.
He has filed a police report with Houston Police Department and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
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