POSTED: Monday, July 18, 2011 - 7:20pm
UPDATED: Monday, December 3, 2012 - 12:55pm
EL PASO - The Jesus Chapel in west El Paso wants to spread their message. Pastor Warren Hoyt worked out a deal with a sign company to put in a large digital sign in front of the church, to the tune of $17,000. Specifically, Hoyt hoped that the sign could bring in those with addictions to the 12 Step Program which meets there, the same one Hoyt credits with turning his own life around. Hoyt says that their old sign attracted three suicidal people who told him that they came inside to get help after seeing that sign.
But, right as the construction of the sign was completed, Hoyt says the City of El Paso told him that they could not light the sign. Such large digital signs are no longer allowed. He says that according to new rules, they could not even put up their old sign, which sat in front of the Jesus Chapel for the past 28 years. Signs now must be no bigger than 4 feet by 5 feet.
The church is now stuck, because the contractor who put in the new sign cannot find a buyer for the sign, to take it out of the church's hands. So, unless the city's rules change...it looks like the sign will stay in front of the Jesus Chapel, but it will stay dark.