S.C. pastor jailed for noisy church is released

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A pastor who was sentenced to two weeks in jail after after neighbors complained about his church's loud services was released from jail early Sunday after serving nine days.

For almost two years, neighbors of the church complained about loud praise and worship services at of Rehoboth United Assemblies church. When the unpaid citations for violations of the city's noise ordinances piled up, Pastor Johnnie Clark was jailed following a trial early this month.

After his release, Clark and his wife, Harriet, sat side by side leading their congregation once again.

While serving time at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Clark led Bible studies with other inmates.

"I never had any idea I was going to go in there and teach," Clark said.

The Clarks said their church is taking the necessary steps to comply with city noise ordinances.

"The sound design company is going to do an estimate and tell us what it would take to soundproof the church," Harriet Clark said.

Pastor Jamal Bryant of the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Md., set up a crowdfunding donation site to help the church get soundproof windows.

Clark still has another date in court over another citation.

"We are trusting and believing God, that this time around we'll get the victory," Clark said.