Heaven Road Church of God receives new AC after unit stolen

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Heaven Road Church of God, near 19th and Angelique streets, recently had its air conditioning unit stolen. Even after the setback, the church hasn’t lost its faith in humanity.

Pastor Alfred Williams, who has led the church for eight years, said the unit was stolen from outside the church earlier this summer. For a small congregation, he said, replacing the equipment was a financial challenge.

A friend told Williams about a program called Lennox Feel the Love that could help.

“We are a small church so we really couldn’t afford the air conditioning unit and the heater so when he told me about this program and if we wait till October and they can come and see what can be done,” Williams said.

Lennox Feel the Love program is a community-focused initiative that provides free heating and cooling systems to deserving homeowners, families facing hardships, and community heroes.

Williams said receiving that help at no cost was truly a blessing, especially because this was the second time the church’s air conditioning unit had been stolen. 

Williams said he and his family are grateful to everyone who stepped in to help, especially since no one was obligated to do so.  

“I feel the love and they came in and they just did what they said and not only that they also brought in the food for the church and for the community and that’s a beautiful thing,” he added.  

Greg Kerns, owner of Comfort Heating and Cooling, said Pastor Williams told him about Lennox’s Feel the Love program, which helps provide furnaces and air conditioners to people and organizations in need.  

“We volunteered to install it for them and we teamed up with Barnes out of Savannah to get this project done and have a lot of fun while doing it,” he said.  

The installation took about four to five hours to complete. 

Matt Funke with Lennox’s Feel the Love program said the company and its partners have an opportunity to give back to the communities they serve.  

“We are in partnership with the dealers and you come together with them and we can give back so we should and heating and cooling is a necessity,” he said.  

Through the Feel the Love program, Lennox donates the equipment while contractors donate their time and labor to make a difference in homes and churches. 

Funke said helping churches is especially meaningful because they serve as gathering places where people should feel comfortable and welcome.  

“It’s not a home but it’s a church which a safe place for people and everyone should be comfortable and I take a lot of pride in the fact that we are making a direct impact for the community,” he said.  

Williams hopes the project will inspire others to see what can happen when people choose to do the right thing and help those around them.