‘What you did was hurtful’: Sen. Mike Jones’s message for culprit behind racist vandalism of his church

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Days after his church was vandalized with racist slurs, state senator and pastor Mike Jones said he wants to educate the culprit.

A racist slur and death threat was found painted on Village of Life Ministries church in Chesterfield on Feb. 16, according to Chesterfield Police. Sen. Mike Jones pastors the congregation there.

"We're dumbfounded that in 2026, that someone would still write something that offensive, that demeaning," Jones said. "It is a hate crime."

On social media Jones wrote, "We have endured vandalism and break ins over the years - but nothing like this."

Now, the vandalism is covered by dark green paint, but the threat and racist slur still has his congregation on alert.

Jones said it's even more hurtful that the racist slur was written during Black History Month.

"It just talks about the level of insensitivity," Jones said. "This is the one month that we do celebrate collectively about being Black in this country. And so it just adds insult to injury, pouring salt on the wounds."

Chesterfield Police is investigating the incident and said the vandalism reportedly occurred between Feb. 8 and 15. The investigation is ongoing, and a spokesperson said police have increased patrols in the area.

A suspect has not been named.

Jones said he wants the culprit to know the weight of the word they used.

"What you did was hurtful. What you did is a crime," Jones said. "I'd love to sit down and meet with them."

"I'd love to talk to them and let them know what these words and what they did, how that impacts not only me, but I have folk in my congregation that remember segregation, right? That they were apart of it here in the city," Jones said. "So it just hits different."

Anyone with any information about the vandalism is asked to call Chesterfield Police immediately at 804-748-1251.