Thanksgiving Day: Pastor’s Martial Arts Skills Stop Church Burglary

On Thanksgiving morning, an Antioch church faced an unexpected visitor. A burglar broke in, but they met their match in Pastor Nick Neves, who has some surprises up his sleeve. Neves, trained in martial arts like jujitsu and kickboxing, confronted the would-be thief. He didn't need weapons; he used his skills to handle the situation without causing harm. The pastor shouted at the burglar to stop and that help was on the way. This led to a 12-minute wrestling match in the church’s parking lot. Neves managed to pin the burglar down multiple times, waiting for the police to arrive. He outlasted the trespasser by wearing him out instead of hurting him. Members of Family First Church, such as Jeff Strawther, are grateful their pastor is safe. Strawther expressed that the pastor's toughness and skill could have easily turned the situation into a tragedy. But Neves' skills and calmness diffused the danger. The church is known for its community support. Recently, they gave groceries to 130 families in need. Neves noted the irony—if the burglar had visited a few days earlier, he could have received help instead of choosing to cause damage. Pastor Neves hopes the burglar will reflect on their actions and choose a better path in the future.