Pastor says ‘we love you’ to homosexual-rights activists

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Activists mingle with members on the lawn of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon while a praise band plays in the background. The church’s pastor, Forrest Pollock, addressed the protestors after asking permission to use their microphone and podium.

BRANDON (FBW)—In a short, impromptu speech from a microphone set up by homosexual protestors, the pastor of a Florida Baptist church told activists Sept. 20 he supports their right to free speech and invited them to come back for Sunday services.

Speaking to nearly three dozen protestors spread out on the sidewalk in front of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, pastor Forrest Pollock was given the opportunity to speak after standing quietly by listening to protestors speak for over 40 minutes. Inside the church, the Washingon-based Family Research Council briefed pastors on having a positive impact in the community, among other issues, in advance of a two-day Family Impact Summit at the same location.

“Folks, I want you to know you are welcome and we’re glad you are here,” Pollock said. “And we extend an invitation to every single one of you to come to our church this Sunday.”

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

nAsking to speak for a moment after protestors aired their views for over 40 minutes, Forrest Pollock (left), pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, finally receives permission from Nadine Smith, a speaker for Equality Florida.

Pollock was given the podium after a brief exchange with Nadine Smith, a speaker for Equality Florida, a statewide organization representing “lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender people,” according to their literature. Smith and a previous speaker both thanked Pollock for the warm reception they received and for allowing them to place their podium on a walkway on church property in order to face protestors assembled on a public sidewalk in front of the church.

Smith hesitated, however, when Pollock asked her for a moment at the podium as she was ending her remarks, and asked the pastor to give her “equal time” inside the auditorium when participants in the regional pastor’s briefing led by the Family Research Council resumed their meeting. Shaking his head “no,” the pastor, calmly but assertively repeated his request to briefly address the protestors.

“I gave you the sidewalk, may I not be permitted to respond?” Pollock queried. The crowd of protestors and onlookers were silent, with the exception of one who yelled that the pastor should not be able to use the microphone.

Instructing the protestors she would give Pollock the microphone after the protest closed with a song, Smith told activists they were free to leave or stay and that “everyone should do as their own free will.”

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Forrest Pollock (center), pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, welcomes activists Daniel Helminiak (left) and Wayne Besen (right) who spoke during a protest of the church.

Cedric Harmon, an associate field director for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, who earlier spoke in support of the protestors, led the crowd in singing, “This Little Light of Mine.” Pollock joined in, as did several dozen church members and others who had been praying on the steps of the church, facing the protestors.

Earlier in the week, Bell Shoals members were alerted there would be a protest and music leader Kim Jackson said she received a call about organizing a band of high school and college students to play praise music while the protestors gathered.

“We just want to share the love of Jesus with people who come out and be kind to them,” Jackson said during the protest, complimenting her pastor on his response. “He always speaks the truth in love, but he still speaks the truth.”

About 30 church members mingled with up to 50 participants in the pastors’ briefing at one point during the 90-minute protest. Many prayed silently on the steps of the white-columned church building, while others spoke softly amongst themselves. A few passed out water from a small tent offering shade and some folding chairs.

On the sidewalk protestors held signs with slogans including: “I am not an agenda” and “Stop Spiritual Violence.” Some wore purple shirts with the words, “Queerly Divine.” One man unfurled a large rainbow flag.

Courteous and polite to the protestors, Pollock signaled the band, playing under a giant American flag, to stop playing when a series of activists stepped up to the microphone. Greeting each of the speakers with a handshake, Pollock also shook hands and spoke briefly with those on the sidewalk before standing quietly apart from the speakers by the podium to listen to each of the 10 scheduled speakers.

When Pollock addressed the protestors after the song, most listened attentively while a few to one side turned their backs to him.

“There is much we agree on. If you agree that Jesus Christ is the son of God, we agree with you,” Pollock said. “If you agree that free speech is important, we agree with you. That’s the reason that our people have stood quietly to allow you to have this opportunity to speak your mind.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Forrest Pollock (right), pastor of Bells Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, shakes hands with protestors outside the church Sept. 20. Inside, the Washington-based Family Research Council was holding a pastors’ briefing.

“We have people in our church who would die for your right to speak your mind,” Pollock continued. “We also agree with you to judge not lest ye be judged. May I ask you, have any of you been inside the faith and Family Impact Summit? You have judged us without knowing what is happening inside. We ask you, come this Sunday. See if we truly are the fellowship of encouragement.”

At the podium, Pollock kept a smile on his face, although he told protestors he had been called names and had been portrayed in vulgar terms as he greeted individual protestors.

“You’ve said that we’re saying hate speech, and yet, as I’ve introduced myself to you, I’ve been called dumb, I’ve been called a man who copulates with his mother [and] I’ve been called a serpent. Who here is exercising hate speech?” Pollock asked.

“We love you. We want you to come and be with us. Are there homosexuals inside of this building? You bet there are, and I am no better than any one of them, or you. I am a sinner saved by grace. The truth be known, I am the chief of sinners. So, understand, this is the fellowship of encouragement. We welcome you for coming out today.”

Earlier inside, Pollock spoke about the importance of leaders who do not compromise in spite of increasing restrictions on Christian speech and actions throughout the nation.

“I’m not willing to give up on America,” Pollock said. “This country can come home to God and all we need are some modern day Zephaniahs who are willing to stand up in the pulpits and to share simply the Word of God.”

Speaking of abortion, embryonic stem cell destruction and homosexuality, Pollock said it is troublesome when sin isn’t called “sin” anymore.

“I know in this politically correct time that speaking the truth in love is difficult because all of the black and white issues that you and I grew up with have been smeared in shades of gray,” Pollock said. “This world, this nation, has forgotten God.”

Pollock said he believes Americans have “glorified homosexuals” and, although, “just as God does, we love the homosexual; we hate homosexuality because of what it does to people.

“And that’s not homophobic to say that God loves homosexuals but hates the act of homosexuality,” Pollock continued. “His Word says that. It’s called an abomination. But we ought as leaders and teachers and churches, should be fired tomorrow, if we are not willing to stand up and speak out on these most fundamental of biblical principles.”

Pollock said it’s also important not to confuse “principle with preference.” Political issues he said he feels strongly about include immigration policy, welfare policy and tax policy.

“Christians of good character can disagree on many of those issues, [but] biblical issues are different,” he said, listing stem cell research, abortion and “homosexual marriage” as issues which involve scriptural principles.

“So let’s not dishonor this holy desk by getting on a soapbox talking about preferential issues that are merely our preferences. Let’s instead focus on what the word of God says about the most basic human rights,” Pollock said. “Let’s not mistake principles with politics. I don’t believe Jesus is a Republican or a Democrat. When Jesus comes back in the Eastern Sky, He’s not coming to take sides, He’s coming to take over.”

At Bell Shoals, Pollock said he encourages members to register to vote and supports a regular candidate forum before elections. He said he believes if a person votes for a candidate who is pro-abortion they have “blood” on their hands. “It’s not a matter of right or left, it’s a matter of right or wrong,” Pollock said.

“Seek righteousness and then we seek humility,” Pollock continued. Speaking of a phone call he received from an activist who planned to attend the protest at the church, Pollock said the person thanked him for posting on the website that the church would be serving water and opening up its restrooms for use.

“The only way we are going to reach them for Jesus is to love them and show them the love of Christ with humility,” Pollock said. “I believe if you and I as leaders are willing to stand up and speak up and not shut up, then friend, a difference can be made, and America will come home.”

Look in the Oct. 4 issue of the Witness for coverage of the Sept. 20 Watchmen on the Wall Regional Pastors’ Briefing and the Sept. 21-22 Family Impact Summit held at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon and co-hosted by the Florida Family Policy Council and the Tampa-area Community Issues Council.