For more than five decades, the Historic Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day has been a vital fixture in the East Flatbush community, providing food, clothing and spiritual support to seniors, unhoused individuals and struggling families. Now, the congregation is grappling with an unexpected blow: the theft of its outreach van, a key tool in delivering those services.
The van’s driver discovered it missing on May 31, just before a planned trip. The white Ford E-350 had been parked outside the church and was used to support Mt. Zion’s extensive community programs.
“It’s frustrating to say the least,” Pastor Gil Montrose told Brooklyn Paper. “It’s also discouraging to see that someone would upend this ministry and put us in extreme pain.”
Montrose described the van as essential to operating the church’s food pantry, farmers market and “bagel ministry,” which delivers food to other houses of worship without access to transportation. It also supported the church’s outreach to unhoused individuals, where volunteers distribute hot meals and assemble care packages.
The vehicle had served the church for eight years before it was stolen. Montrose said its absence has made current outreach efforts “difficult” and “cumbersome.”
In response, the pastor launched a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the van. Local residents have contributed nearly $3,000 so far, but the church still faces a long road ahead.
“The community is shocked that somebody would steal our vehicle, in particular because of the work that we’ve done,” Montrose said. “They are saddened that this is a reality we face. They’re standing with us in solidarity. And we’re hoping that people who feel the work we are doing can give us a hand.”
Their efforts also extend to annual back-to-school supply giveaways, Thanksgiving meal deliveries to staff at five local hospitals and organizing free gospel concerts at Kingsbrook Medical Center and Brookdale Hospital.
“This is a real ministry,” Montrose said. “This is on-the-ground work that churches and communities should be doing. We’ve called Brooklyn our home for years, and we are steeped in our community.”
With the community’s support, Mt. Zion is determined to rebuild and roll forward once again in service of East Flatbush. In the meantime, the church urges anyone with information on the van’s disappearance to call (718)-294-1097 or notify the NYPD.
