Recently the FIRE Church in Concord, NC, was to the be object of a protest by a local LGBT group. The protest, however, was abandoned when members of the LGBT community experienced “perfect love” from the church.
As reported on Examiner.com the group posted their plans on Q-Notes,
MAKE YOUR SIGNS, AND BANNERS!!
Keep the love going as we peacefully protest Fire church Sunday after pride. During the pride event you will have a chance to hear Flip Benham and other representatives of Fire church throwing damnation our way. Lets show them that they cannot come into our community and intimidate us.
We will meet just before Service begins, and protest as they gather, we will have a silent protest as service is going and let them have it as they leave for the day.
Remember we will be peaceful and respectful, something they don’t understand. We are going to STAND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY to show that our love is stronger than their hate.
However, things did not exactly go as planned. Church leaders found out about the planned protest and responded with open arms toward the protesters. Scott Volk, pastor of FIRE Church commented on the protest thread:
As the pastor of FIRE Church, I just want you to know that you’ll be greeted with the same love
and compassion as we always endeavor to show anyone – you are more-than-welcome! You make mention of the ‘hate’ that we show. Yet, in all our years here we’ve only desired to reach out with love to everyone in the local community here whether they are labeled as gay or straight. Hopefully, you’ll see that love demonstrated on Sunday as you protest.
Although Flip Benham is a friend of mine (ours), he’s not a representative of FIRE Church as he represents his own ministry and doesn’t attend church here. However, I hope he’ll be in attendance this Sunday as his son David will be preaching at our service.
Dr. Brown is part of our community here, but is disappointed that he will not be here this Sunday as he’s preaching elsewhere. He told me that he’ll be giving a special word regarding your event on his daily radio show at 3PM today.
Scott Volk, Pastor
FIRE Church
The protest consisted of about ten people who abandoned the attempt after only a few minutes, and after being politely engaged by church members. The next day the leader of the protest called a local radion program to
[explain] that their “anger … was aimed [in] the wrong direction.” And then he said these words: “Once we got there Sunday morning we were greeted with absolutely perfect love. I mean, it was fantastic.” Praise God!
After the broadcast, we exchanged contact information and are looking forward to sharing a meal together and, more importantly, candidly sharing our hearts. This is genuinely good news.
And, as has been noted, “Perfect love casts out all fear.”
