Vacaville Congregation Selling Property To Pay Pastor's Bail

VACAVILLE (CBS13) — Members of a Vacaville congregation sold off pieces from the church in a fundraiser for the pastor's bail.

Fellowship Baptist Church Pastor Mark Lewis remains behind bars on more than $1 million bail, accused of putting three people up to firebombing his ex-girlfriend's home.

The pastor was rearrested after bailing out the first time for allegedly fraudulently registering his church, which was used as bail collateral.

Sarah Bongard is one of the jailed pastor's devoted parishioners. She says the church needs the money to help it's leader.

"It's been a little rough, but God's working it out, we know that," she said. "Knowing that he's in control, even of getting our pastor out and restoring our church to what it should be."

Sarah says they are emptying the pastor's palatial five-bedroom, five bathroom home. Among the items sold include a pool table and bibles.

Would-be customers said despite the publicity, they didn't know the purpose of this church sale.

"We had no idea that it would be for a bailout or anything," one woman said.

Once emptied, Sarah says they'll sell the house.

We asked her if the may be in denial about the church leader and the charges he's facing.

"Look, I don't believe that that's the pastor that I've known," she said, "but regardless, I have no regrets. Because I'm doing this for Jesus Christ."