Protesters with pride signs confront Indy church after anti-LGBTQ sermon calls for violence
Sure Foundation Baptist Church located at a mall storefront near Lafayette Road and West 30th Street, had recently gained attention for its anti-LGBTQ+ messaging to congregants. In a sermon shared online, a lay preacher encouraged members to pray for the deaths of the LGBTQ+ community. Protesters had their own message for the church on July 13.
"Existing in their presence," Cass Jackson, who helped organize the protest, told IndyStar. "Which is something they do not believe Christ would approve of."
Jackson said the protest was a way for them to communicate to the church, as well as others, that church leaders could continue their hate, but they would continue to show up and be joyful in their presence.
An original video of a sermon shared earlier this month online identified LGBTQ+ as "evil" and "disgusting."
"There's nothing good to be proud about being a (slur)," Church member Stephen Falco said during a sermon posted on YouTube. "You ought to blow yourself in the back of the head. You're so disgusting."
The video-sharing platform has since removed the video for violating its terms of service.
The independent fundamentalist church doubled down on its message in a statement shared on Facebook on July 3, where it said it wasn't apologizing. Evangelist Justin Zhong with the church has since done a sermon discussing the recent coverage and attention the church has gotten.
"Why do these (slur) want to burn us and bomb this church and kill us?" Zhong preached in a video posted on the church's Facebook page July11. "Because we testify that their works are evil. My question is, why does a small strip mall church make worldwide news? Because the Word of God has power."
Protesters on Sunday said they didn't want to meet the church with violence. They don't intend to change the minds of the congregants about LGBTQ+ individuals, but they say they do want to make it clear that they will highlight the church's bigotry.
"What I know to be true is that these people really hate when other people are joyful, because they are not," Jackson said. "And unfortunately have been indoctrinated into a backyard cult."
Sure Foundation Baptist Church: Indianapolis church doubles down on Pride sermon advocating for harm to LGBTQ people
Zhong told IndyStar he's not surprised at the protest, but the church continued service Sunday morning without issue. The church, which opened its doors in 2024, has about 35 people who attend church on average every week.
Citing the Book of Acts, he compared the protest to people and cities outraged in the Bible when the Apostles preached the truth. Zhong said protesters are upset because the Word of God exposes that their deeds are evil.
The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis countered the church's message with a Bible verse, saying in its statement the Gospel is for everyone and should not be used as a tool of condemnation. The clergy group said the Black church, born in the crucible of oppression, must never mimic the very spirit of exclusion that once rejected its community.
"We are called to be a sanctuary for the marginalized, not a platform for prejudice," the statement said. In standing for the dignity, inclusion and justice for all people, the group said it rejects the notion LGBTQ+ individuals are outside of God's reach, grace or redemption.
G. David Caudill with Equality Indiana said he is encouraged to see other Indianapolis faith leaders condemn the church's sermon.
"When you have that type of hateful and violent language, it could lead to someone taking those words and feeling protected to be able to go and commit violent acts against our community," Caudill said.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris' previous reported assisted with this article.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pride protest erupts after church calls LGBTQ people 'disgusting'
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