By Michael Gryboski, Editor Friday, February 27, 2026

A teenager has been charged with inflicting approximately $300,000 in damages to a large nondenominational worship center in Virginia.

The Prince William Police Department announced on Tuesday that an unnamed 16-year-old male juvenile was arrested last month in connection with an extensive vandalism spree.

The teenager was charged with destruction of property and unlawful entry. A court date is still pending, while authorities are looking into other possible suspects in the vandalism.

According to Prince William police, a building belonging to Impact Church of Woodbridge saw “extensive vandalism” sometime between Dec. 21, 2025, and Jan. 2.

During that timeframe, according to police, more than 200 windows were broken or in some way damaged, as well as multiple doors and many areas of the building were spraypainted.

“Total damage done to the building was estimated to be over $300,000,” stated authorities. “During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify a suspect and obtain juvenile petitions.”

“Following the investigation the accused, identified as a 16-year-old male juvenile of Lorton, was charged. The investigation continues into the identities of other suspects involved in the incident.”

The church, formerly known as Harvest Life Changers Church, is a nondenominational congregation launched in 1995 that meets at another site off Telegraph Road. The congregation outgrew its current facility, and a larger space was needed for ministry, prompting the construction of a 204,000-square-foot worship center, according to the ministry's website. 

The vandalized structure has been under construction for several years, with work stalling in 2020 due to financial issues, the Prince William Times reports.

Bishop Lyle Dukes, who leads Impact Church along with his wife, Deborah, said in 2022 that he hoped to have the building open soon, even if gradually, as construction continues.

“We are a community church, and while it’s been a challenge, this is something we are trying to do to help the community,” said Dukes was quoted as saying. “The whole downstairs area along the Route 1 side of the building will just be for the community. We will have food, clothing and a whole wing for the youth.”

According to a report from the Family Research Council that was released last year, over 400 acts of hostility were recorded against churches in the United States in 2024.

The FRC report documented 415 hostile acts in 43 states, affecting 383 congregations, based on data collected from open-source documents, media reports and official records.

"Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which fewer Americans are attending religious services or identifying with a specific faith," the report explained.

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/teen-charged-in-300k-vandalism-of-virginia-megachurch.html