A pastor has forgiven and offered $1000 to the thief who broke into a trailer and stole $7,000 worth of musical equipment from City Edge Church in Lakewood, Ohio.

Pastor Kevin Rush told Fox 8 News that on Sunday, New Year’s Day, a church member alerted staff that a trailer van had been broken into at Lakewood's Garfield Middle School, where the church held its services. He also revealed that the church’s speakers, subwoofers, drum shield and a base cabinet were stolen.

Rush admitted that at first he was angry and bitter at the thief for stealing the expensive objects from the young church, which was started in September. "I was immediately frustrated and ticked off, and really just kind of angry and bitter towards whoever did it,” he revealed.

However, after thinking it through and praying about it, Rush said: “I really felt that we were just supposed to offer forgiveness and grace and love.”

Pastor Rush shared that he decided to communicate directly with the thief and wrote a letter on the church’s blog – offering a “no strings attached” $1,000 reward for returning the equipment, with a promise to not press charges. He also wrote that he recognized that whoever stole the equipment must have been desperate, since they did not take everything inside the trailer, but only a few expensive items.

In the letter, the pastor offered a quote from Ephesians 4:31-32: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

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He also wrote, “God is a God of justice, but he is also a God of forgiveness and second chances. God has forgiven me much and I want to not only forgive you, but offer you grace.”

According to Rush, his offer of forgiveness comes whether the thief brings back the items or not. “Even if you don’t take me up on the offer I do not hold bitterness, anger or rage against you. I’m not going to hunt you down. I’m offering you forgiveness. I am offering you grace,” Rush stated

He concluded by reminding of the church’s motto, “Love Beyond Reason.”