A very disturbing video from a church’s own website has surfaced and gone viral. It shows Pastor Charles L. Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina calling for the “rounding up, fencing in, and death of homosexual men and women.” The video has been featured on the homepage of CNN.com and numerous other news websites over the last several days.
There is so much that is troublesome about this video: the pastor’s tone, his anger, his heart toward gay and lesbian people—and his call to exterminate them. Remember, there was once a man named Hitler who had similar thoughts and intent—who ultimately murdered millions of innocent men, women, and children.
Yet, what’s equally disturbing about this video is the congregation’s response to their pastor’s comments—their vocal “Amen!” affirmations to everything Pastor Worley was saying.
What about the Christian clarion call to share the gospel and Jesus Christ with the world? What about Christ’s love for those who are lost? What about that same love that we as Christians are supposed to show toward those who are lost in sin, as we ourselves once were? Is Pastor Worley exhibiting Christ’s love through his preaching?
Is this what Jesus would say or do?
While tempers and passions are flaring due to President Obama’s statements regarding same-sex marriage, no pastor, Christian, or homosexual man or woman should ever let their statements be filled with such anger, hatred, or suggestions of murder.
Please join SBM Worldwide in praying for Pastor Worley and the congregation of Providence Road Baptist Church, as much media attention has been brought upon this shepherd and his flock. More importantly, let’s pray that God will use this circumstance to bring about repentance, forgiveness, and, ultimately, restoration to Pastor Worley and his congregation, and that the Lord will turn this all around for His glory and good purpose.
Feel free to share your thoughts on this video, as well as your thoughts on how people on both sides of the issue are reacting and responding to President Obama’s endorsement of homosexual marriage. How do you think God can turn this situation around for His glory? (You MUST register in order to comment.)
