To make matters worse, FBC Naples is implementing church discipline procedures which are in direct violation to those set forth by Jesus in Matthew 18. It may interest you to go over to TWW and read their article, as well as the comments from members of that church who state they were unfairly misrepresented in their vote against this new pastor. First Baptist Church of Naples Florida Openly Admits Congregational Racism October 30, 2019 by admin In a recent story from Religion News Source (RNS) it was revealed that First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida, failed to elect a new pastor because he was black. DWCF. ( I wonder what the Aramaic is for fad.). It is a populist movement of tremendous influence and minimal accountability. Read the letter from the church to the Southern Baptist Convention, question and answer session with Hayes and his wife, Read the letter from First Baptist to church members regarding voting results, fatal shooting of a black security guard by a white police officer, Police release name of cop who killed black security guard who was corralling a gunman, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. On May 28, Caudill said the church placed him on disciplinary suspension from the deacon board and the senior pastor search team. Such a loving bunch, arent they?!). Give Online. I guess thats why this slanderous information is labeled as commentary. Pastor Hayes is the Pastor. Since the failed vote, other allegations have surfaced. Stop reading things into what a person says or writes (Im sure you will do this to me) as being racist. Jude certainly understood this. What Bible verse says that it is a good idea to borrow money to make your church building bigger and more fancy? Let us pray for you. Does my agreement with Dr. King and my deep concerns about intersectionality, et al, make me a racist? The separation was hardly amicable. I guess I missed this one. On Easter weekend, Wicker said he received a text message that several chairmen wanted to meet with him about church unrest. Wicker said he tried to ignore it. Doesnt matter what denomination or race you are, all of this drama is toxic on a nuclear level for the body and spirit and surely the work of Satan himself. It also appears that the SBC concluded too soon who was in the right. Why abide with a corrupt individual being in a leadership position at the church? No church creed has ever taught the nonsense that had become so pervasive in evangelicalism. Hayes Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership. Grateful that FBCN is moving toward amputating the racists, tweeted Rev. What would Jesus make of Wokeness intersectionality, and indeed, the movement for resegregation by some of those who are of the Prominent Woke, in light of Galatians 3:28? ", CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support local journalism, More: Read the letter from First Baptist to church members regarding voting results, In a letter to church membersshortly after the failed vote, the church pointed the finger at groupscalled "Voices of FBCN" and"Group of Concerned FBCN Members.". Did people voice concerns and questions about Marcus? Looking for past sermons? If you promote that, take a LONG look in the mirror. As a side note, is the implication that if a white* person disagrees with a person of colour on the legitimacy of Woke political philosophy/identity-building/self-definition in the church, that person must necessarily be a racist? Christians should model justice and love to the world. Im not sure where they are located now, nor what they are doing, but I feel confident God is using them in His way. fell short of the 85% vote required to install him as a pastor. weekend the congregation failed Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Pray for Me; Log In Instead of the transition period Wicker announced, the staff strong-armed Wicker out after over a quarter of a century of service to the people of FBC Naples, sources told the Capstone Report. I spoke at length with this individual and how no reason to doubt the veracity of the individuals accounts. Church members are upset over the treatment of the retiring pastor who served 27 years at FBC Naples FBC Naples, Florida's longtime senior pastor Hayes Wicker announced his retirement from pastoring the church in January 2019. Edie, the church's executive pastor, however, called Hayes "one of the most qualified men in Southern Baptist life to be a Senior Pastor of any church in this country.". Former Pastor Accused of Rape Resigns from Churchome After TRR Investigation; Church Official Makes False Claims, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. FBC Naples also sent several cease and desist letters from prominent law firm, Holland & Knight, to several church members suspected of having involvement with the Voices of FBCN email. It noted that Hayes had unfriended or blocked several people who had signed the petition on his social media accounts. To donate. We have known Hayes & his family as good Christian people etc.for over 25 years. {I realize, Im using the word black rather than African American. I personally do not care for the term African American, and there are black people who dislike it more than I do.} The process did not adhere to or reflect any biblical model. By circumventing the clear teachings of Matthew 18:15-17 regarding church discipline, this process showcases glaring problems with approaches to discipline that rely entirely on church oligarchies. Church discipline for dissenting members was greeted with wild applause. Member of the Evangelical Theological Society 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. Totally the act of Satan in this issue because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace. *Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. Ready to start serving? And second, Mr. Hayes did nothing to convince me that he would embrace me as a disgraced member of the church. Dwight McKissic for comment, but none responded. The Asbury Revival Is Over. Greear, who had written a letter of recommendation for Marcus Hayes, called the open letter by FBC Naples leadership a bold, Gospel-faithful response of the leadership of FBC Naples. Greear added, Let us be united in lament that any vestige of this kind of sinful prejudice remains in our churches., Also, Danny Akin, president of SBC-affiliated Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), described the open letter as a strong and redemptive word from FBC Naples.. Church leadership announced that a new senior pastor was not hired because the nominee failed to meet the 85% approval threshold. What a great and wise man of God he is? First, there are blacks who strenuously object to books like Woke Church, as well as intersectionality, and reparations for slavery. Yet despite all thats happened, Wicker said, I pray people would not use this to come against megachurches or seeing all committees as bad., Similarly, Caudill stated, First Baptist Naples still has potential to be used greatly by God. Thanks for submitting! SUNDAY, Dec 11 (7pm) The Marcus Hayes vote was used to cry wolf. I was shocked that they would make this immediate, Wicker said. Get directions, reviews and information for First Baptist Church - Naples in Naples, FL. Upvote 1 Downvote. Wicker and his wife then returned a Chrysler minivan they had been given years before by a church member, and his church-leased vehicle was repossessed. Wicker said Dorrill banned him from pastoral search team meetings, and the chairmen of the personnel and finance committees told Wicker his oversight was not needed. In June, Voices of FBCN sent an email to many in the church, criticizing the actions of church leadership. Bob Caudill, a former deacon and spokesman for Concerned Members of FBCN, said that a month before the vote on Marcus Hayes, the group had circulated a petition requesting a special business meeting to discuss serious concerns at FBC Naples. The film makes note that Marcus Hayes was subsequently ramrodded in Crossroads Church Texas. close to Wicker, contacted Pulpit & Pen with disturbing details 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, U.S. The 26-year-old guard, Jemel Roberson, was detaining a suspected gunman who opened fire at the bar where Roberson worked when the police officer fatally shot Roberson. We have read so many of our traditions back into the New Testament, and tried to make them fit. Concerned Members of FBCN says the petition received 800 signatures. This sequence of events raised many questions for me and my wife, Caudill said. Is not the sheer stupidity of this self-evident? The church did not hold a reception to honor Wickers decades of ministry, nor was Wicker permitted to address the congregation. For the church's leadership, "it exposed a sickness in what we characterize as a cancer within our fellowship," he continued in the letter, which also asked for forgiveness from Hayes and his wife and "any other person who has been offended, hurt, or damaged by the outcome" of the vote. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Of course they did. I think this one would have died even if none of this soap opera garbage had taken place. I just want to point out that when you say things like I am in a biracial marriage, it sounds a LOT like I have a black friend. Trust me, that gets you little more than eye-rolling. Numerous now-former church members have been purged from the church membership roll. Been here 25+ times. You obviously didnt pay attention to everything in that article, only the points you chose to focus on on. In November, Caudill sent a letter to several prominent SBC leaders, including President Greear and SEBTS President Danny Akin, urging them to retract their statements supporting the racism narrative offered by FBC Naples. Rather than bringing members who are accused of sin before the church body for examination, members are being removed from the church rolls through actions taken directly by deacons and pastoral staff without a vote of the church body. That's why Hayes was not officially approved, when in past years he would have been. I just wish so many from my former church would open their eyes and see whats going on. Our Pastoral Search Committee, lay leadership, and the Pastoral Staff all anticipated that our vote would be nothing less than an affirmative statement from our people that God had sovereignly chosen for Marcus Hayes to be our next Pastor. This is why I dont attend a church and work on my relationship with God on a daily basis. Location Berean Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church located in the beautiful community of Naples, Florida, just south of Ft. Myers. To that point, no group had met with Hayes or the committee privately, Dorrill continued, before adding to applause from those gathered at the Q&A session: "This will continue to be a transparent search. And guess what? We need to see people as fellow human beings made in the image of God. At the time, Wicker seemed to be well-respected by his church and denomination. Many church members are staying silent because they fear their children will be kicked out of the Christian school run by the church. It only becomes a problem if you think my worth is different because of it. I lived it. More Emails: FBC Naples Concerned Party Defends Itself Against Accusations of Racism, VIDEO: A look at the problems at FBC Naples, FBC Naples Insider Speaks Out About Alleged Racism and Unbiblical Excommunications at FBC Naples, Leaked Emails Show That FBC Naples Members Had Serious Concerns About Marcus Hayes Biblical Qualifications. More: Read the letter from the church to the Southern Baptist Convention, "Our Pastoral Staff and leadership are deeply grieved and embarrassed," Edie wrote. How about Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Men who run a church into so much debt that it is soon bankrupt with one plague of pestilence, why do we believe Jesus gave such man any true riches or wisdom at all? First Naples glorifies God by being a multigenerational, multiethnic, multiplying church, that raises up the next generation of disciple makers, . It may not be sorted out down here but everyone has to give an account, and especially those in leadership positions of the Lords Church for whom He died. The article above has been corrected to identify the group as Voices of FBCN. Former deacon, Blake Crawford, said Wicker was later exonerated of the charges in the anonymous letter by church accounting firm, Phillips Harvey Group. (Hayes this month took his first senior pastor position at a church in Texas.). And before you go tagging me as a racist, I am in a biracial marriage myself. Ive attended for 14 yrs and not once did see race. (Auxanos founder, Will Mancini, also serves as director of consulting for Lifeway, the publishing division of the SBC.). **Statements about the actions taken by FBC Naples leadership assume the fidelity of Pulpit & Pens inside source. Well Hello!!! However, at some point the church leadership became hostile to the longtime pastor, according to church members. In 2001, Dorrill pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with the Stadium Naples corruption scandal. I have no hate here. First Naples glorifies God by being a multigenerational, multiethnic, multiplying church, that raises up the next generation of disciple makers, church planters, missionaries, and world changers, to reach Naples to the Nations. I am responding simply to share that theres another side the story and I wish I/we had an opportunity to share such a story without fear of legal action (thats right, the church has threatened legal action against me as well as threatened that if I say anything at all negative about the church they will trespass me prevent me from dropping off and picking up my kids at First Baptist Academy. FBC Naples, recently listed as the 64th largest SBC church in the country, appears to be withering in the wake of the scandal. Hayes Wicker was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Naples (Florida) for 27 years. "And, as a result of that, there have been groups who honestly feel a little disenfranchised. Here is a prime example of CRT. He and his wife and his children love God and Gods people. Check the upcoming First Baptist Church - Naples schedule for concerts, shows, and events in 2023-2024 to find the best tickets for all events at First Baptist Church - Naples. Giving. We are simultaneously soldiers, commissioned to wage war for the defense and dissemination of the truth in the face of countless onslaughts against it. Hayes did not suddenly abandon his faith in the few months between his announcement that he was stepping aside, as he was being felt led to do, to make room for younger leadership and his sudden dismissal by the FBCN leadership. Of course, it is obvious you have a vested interest in attacking those putting out the facts. But, then again, with such an unmistakable history of racism behind it, predicting which way the SBC would jump in response to a charge of racism would be too easy. Some of these blacks are church leaders. What have we done, indeed? On social media, too, some church members said race played no role in the failed vote. their sin. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect accurate information regarding the participants at a meeting of FBC Naples leaders on April 23. Per the church's constitution and bylaws, a senior pastor must be affirmed by a margin of at least 85% of the vote, but Hayes only garnered 81%of the vote, with 1,552 "yes" votes compared to 365 "no" votes. Photos See More Hours Mon: 8am - 5pm Tue: 8am - 5pm Wed: 8am - 5pm Thu: 8am - 5pm Fri: 8am - 5pm Its devastating to the proclamation of the Gospel. I voted no to Mr. Hayes for two reasons. In addition, those who have been excommunicated, as well as former Pastor Hayes Wicker, say they feel like their reputations have been sullied. Help Guides Thats what REALLY happened. Im inclined to believe it wasnt racially motivated. Interesting. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use. Marcus D. Hayes, a pastor from Hendersonville, North Carolina, was brought before the church congregation on the weekend of Oct. 26 and 27 by the church'spastor search committee to affirm him as the next senior pastor. This is a demonstration of holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. And Paul goes on to say So, Turn away from these, also. Dwight McKissic, a prominent African American SBC pastor in Arlington, Texas. From the reporting in this article, it seems clear that more light needs to be shed on events. 1/2: 17+yr member of FBCN and attendee here! Marcus Hayes, an African-American who is on staff at Biltmore Church in the Asheville, North Carolina area, was the candidate. If all things had been equal and fair, our story would not have reached as far and wide, and stoked the emotions that it has. He nevertheless urged them to contend earnestly for the faith against all falsehood, while doing everything possible to deliver souls from destruction: snatching them out of the fire . Honestly, the system that ousted him is the machine he created. ADMISSIONS ATHLETICS BLOG CALENDAR CONTACT EMPLOYMENT FIRST NAPLES CHURCH GIVE . Find more information about the groups that meet throughout the week by clicking below. Despite this track record, Wicker said he was shut out of the new pastor selection process. The shooting drew national headlines, outrage and questions about whether race factored into the officers decision to open fire. But what was concluded was that all things were not fair nor were they right. Visit: firstnaples.org/media. Been here 25+ times. What they did to Rev Wicker and his Godly family is nothing but sinful. Also, the concept of colorblindness is nice in theory but is biologically impossible (unless you are colorblind). I am sickened by the way he was treated and am grateful for this exposure. "First Baptist Church Naples is doing excellent work through disaster relief," said Wayne Briant, southwest regional catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention. I certainly agree with you wholeheartedly, Grant. Last Find Best Western Hotels & Resorts nearby Sponsored. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. I can tell you I am not a racist. Where in the N.T. Shopping. Yet Easter services would be the last time Wicker would preach at FBC Naples. THAT IS OK! As managing editor of the former Florida Baptist Witness (state paper) I was witness to many of Hayes Wickers years of fruitful ministry. Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. First, I didnt think it was fair to put a new pastor in the midst of such corruption and confusion. However, Mancini added that the situation at FBC Naples was not typical but did not want to comment on the unique circumstances at the church. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12); and our duty as ambassadors does not permit us to compromise or align ourselves with any kind of human philosophies, religious deceit, or any other kind of falsehood (Colossians 2:8). ", "After reviewing a little deeper we find that "social justice" and racial inequality appear to be his priority as it pertains to the church and ministry!" Hundreds of members have left the church. FBC Naples, Floridas longtime senior pastor Hayes Wicker announced his retirement from pastoring the church in January 2019. Sadly, that did not come to fruition. "Is that what the gospel is all about?". And because it promises rewards to individuals and organizations influence, students, platform it is both very hard to criticize and functionally unaccountable to any but its own. To those who are part of the Group of Concerned FBNC Members, the church's allegations of racism have no standing. Namely Hayes Wicker. Yet, thats what multiple sources have alleged is happening to them. In addition to this ungodly action, a criminal investigation was instigated by church leadership over email addresses that were allegedly stolen from the church by an anonymous group calling itself Voices of FBCN. The leadership structure for the past 500 years in pretty much all of our churches is just refurbished Roman Catholicism. into an embarrassing public debacle. Hi. He didnt have the experience. Hayes pastoral appointment of doing so out of racial prejudice and announced that And they said, Surely, you will not die. First Baptist Church Naples, she said,"is not a racist church by any stretch of the imagination. Christianity Today (CT) reported in November that Neil Dorrill had claimed at a Q&A session that inappropriate emails had been sent to Hayess church in North Carolina, Biltmore Church. Allegedly he said he was happy to see some people in SBC membership moved to the bottom as others move to the top. Jemel Roberson was in my student ministry while I was a youth pastor in Chicago. We are frankly disappointed that no resolution is making it impossible as at now for all the lovely folks within Naples to move forward. The GRAND OLD STANDARD, the Baptist Faith and the Message, swallowed up by an effective indoctrination of the Faithful by the Left. The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. #JemelRoberson https://t.co/Y1dMXQY33N, But the Group of Concerned FBNC Members, citing the tweet, said Hayes should be questioned about his relationship with first responders, specifically police, "and his thoughts on such topics as Ferguson, police shootings involving people of color, etc. A representative from the Collier County Sheriffs Office also confirmed that FBC Naples contacted them on July 3 regarding a suspicious incident., Wickers daughter, Allyson Stephens, said that on September 13, two detectives visited her home and questioned her about the Voices of FBCN email. In the email, the group warned that Hayes had endorsed Woke Church, a book that the email claimed was promoting cultural Marxism., The email also objected to Hayes reportedly saying that he rejects the concept that a person can look at a person of color and see no color. The authors wrote, Paul is clear to us in Philippians 3:2-10 that we are to have no confidence in the flesh of our ethnicity.. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Trust me, I have been guilty of that very same thing myself and Ive learned the hard way being on the other side. A movement, to direct and shape the policies and testimony of the church is quite a thing. It isnt white people who have turned on the evil and hate. This ban prevented him from seeing his granddaughter perform in a play being put on at the churchs school, First Baptist Academy. Carla, thanks to my excommunicated status, I guess you could call me one of the dissenters and racists. The final vote was 81 percent in favor and 19 percent against. Wicker called the allegations appalling., We reached out to Boone, specifically asking about the allegations mentioned in the video, but he did not respond. 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, U.S. First Baptist Naples is, ethnically, a predominantly white church but we are not a racist church.. We reached out to Phillips Harvey Group and FBC Naples to confirm, but they did not respond. This group was engaged in an email campaign to inform church members about various concerns with Marcus Hayes. It was all being done vindictively and not in a righteous, godly manner., Concerned families gravitated to the Caudills, who had served in SBC churches for over 50 years. Hotels. ", When asked during the Q&A session whether he considers himself a conservative, Hayes said he is "as conservative as they come.". Our Vision. What does this say about Big Eva? Certified Public Accountant, For nearly two weeks, Christian social media has been atwitter with commentary over whats being called The Asbury Revival at, Arizona Pastor Blows the Whistle on Andy Stanley, Robby Gallatys Glowsticks Are Not the Problem, Video: JD Reports on Critical Race Theory Tearing Apart SBC Megachurch, Southern Baptist Youth Pastor Fired for Questioning Near-Death Experience Teachings. The church by-laws allow for the expulsion of members without consulting the entire church body. It was appalling and heartbreaking to witness. Akins son, Jonathan Akin, is currently serving as interim pastor at FBC Naples. Takeaway: The treatment of the retiring pastor at FBC Naples is eerily similar to the treatment of the retiring pastor at McLean Bible Church. Takeaway: The problems here illustrate how important biblical models of church governance and judicial process are. Instead he was charged with this amorphous set of wrongdoings that were later largely or totally shown to be untrue. More bluntly What have we done? . hating even the garment polluted by the flesh (Jude 23). Church leaders at First Baptist Church Naples have blasted a faction of their congregation, alleging "racial prejudices" contributed to a failed vote late last month to name a black man the church's new senior pastor. Wicker said that during the meeting, the men confronted him with an anonymous letter that accused Wicker of financial impropriety, such as not tracking his miles on a church-leased vehicle. "It had to do with biblical principals that many questioned," she wrote. Wicker said in late October, when FBC Naples excommunicated the 18 members, it also stopped paying him his severance. So for now we will go to Tampa & enjoy Church there, as no wish to be seen to support incompetence. However, no one even begins to acknowledge that this system is the product of Hayes ministry. No, Again. We met his wife and daughters. Caudill added that Dorrill advised Caudill that any pastoral candidates suggested by Wicker would be dead on arrival., In the months leading up to Wickers resignation, the church hired Auxano, a church consulting company, to advise the church on the pastoral transition process. the group wrote. He didnt mentioned anything in the question and answer sessions or his sermon that gave me any indication reconciling and unifying our church was even on his radar. Church leaders at First Baptist Church Naples have blasted a faction of their congregation, alleging "racial prejudices" contributed to a failed vote late last month to name a black man. But we are not merely ambassadors. I read about this over at The Wartburg Watch. The power plays, ego trippin (yes, I did say trippin), greed, pride, etc., has been going on throughout church history. political and theological statements and his lack of experience leading a JD Greear and his woke cronies attempted a coup at FBC Naples and were thwarted on a grand level. I believe Hayes was rejected because of racism. Naples, FL, 34109 Customers Love Us "Great experience! MLKs dream was about us all being seen as equal in VALUE and treated accordingly, regardless of our differences. We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.. "It has nothing to do with race," said William Ericksen, a member of the church for five years and part of the group. ", "While racial issues were brought into play, and horrifically there indeed were some who did not approve Rev. Raising concerns over a pastoral candidates seeming endorsement of the book Woke Church doesnt make someone a racist. Find a local church Explore; Giving; App; Sign In; Find a Church; Florida; Naples, FL It seems rather patronizing to minorities to assert that every minority persons ideas must be legitimate because the propounder is of a certain colour. As a seasonal member of FBCN during the events you cover here I can share how troubling this is. When HE transitioned the church from Elders to committees the ground work was laid for unbiblical polity. Instead, Ericksen said Hayes has no experience as a head pastor and said that his political views wouldn't go along with a conservative church. We recall the old Church too. Havent hurt enough yet. "Marcus Hayes, a highly respected and a well-qualified pastor, remains the man that we believe God has called to be our next pastor," Dorrill said to a standing ovation from the congregation. An economy of power, people, and indeed money which is non-ecclesiastical but highly influential within evangelical churches. SUNDAY, Dec 11 (4pm) NO RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE. In closing, I dont desire to argue with anyone; i have nothing to gain. Kenneth Bonnett, pastor of communications for the church, declined to offer specifics about the church's allegations, saying "it would not be proper for us to share that content openly.". Wicker said the future for him and his wife is uncertain. Hayes Wicker was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Naples (Florida) for 27 years. I am Caucasian from Eastern Europe. He friended, then de-friended and blocked my wife on social media. Proverbs 18:17. I had the privilege of knowing this young man! Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. At the end of the service we found the pastor in The Commons area. As director of consulting for Lifeway, the church see race Hayes & his family as good Christian people over... Trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true?... 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For unbiblical polity worth is different because of it 800 signatures thanks to my status... Trust me, I am sickened by the Left of it did see.... Where the Spirit of the book Woke church doesnt make someone a racist 3000 Orange Drive... Church leadership became hostile to the longtime pastor, according to church members Hayes did nothing to convince that! Makers, the way he was shut out of the church ( Hayes this took... All of our churches is just refurbished Roman Catholicism guilty of that, there are black who. Open their eyes and see whats going on within Evangelical churches truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable thanks! Racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with the Stadium Naples corruption scandal he was shut out of racial prejudice announced... The way he was charged with this individual and how no reason to the. The top me as a result of that, there are black people who had the. 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