Hey friend, no shade at all, but this church has sat people in leadership down for having premarital sex, amongst other things that scripture calls sinful. So you’re not alone, their theology is their theology. You can’t expect a Christian church to affirm a lifestyle that scripture clearly speaks against. Churches don’t typically change their theology based on what’s accepted in culture.

I have been a member of this church since I was a child. The reason why I stayed as an adult is because we stick to the principles and TRUTH of Gods word. Through the years I have seen them sit down deacons, ministers and other members who have held leadership roles due to behaviors or lifestyles that go against Gods word. God calls us to live in righteousness and when we fall to repent. We were born sinners due to the fall of man which is why this walk calls us to DIE to OURSELVES DAILY. Pastor has been CLEAR and unwavering in his stance on how we are supposed to live as children of God. I wasn’t allowed to sing in the choir anymore until my children’s father and I were married because we moved in together. God made you a man. If you are a teacher of the Bible you already know what the Bible says about how a man is to live their life, and how WE ALL need to live on this earth ESPECIALLY when serving in ministry. Read the word in its entirety and you will understand why this action was taken. I was hurt too but as Pastor always says, God does not care about our feelings but about our souls. Be well.

In love brother, I'm not sure what you expected from a Christian Church. If you are proudly living a lifestyle that the church does not see as measuring up to Scripture, why would you expect to be held up as a leader/model? Regardless of how you personally feel, I don't think you can chalk this up to bigotry. You are in a church that made their doctrines clear, if you don't agree, you have to be a leader somewhere else

I think what’s more unfortunate is that after 14 years there was no conviction. (Not condemnation) but conviction to be led by the Holy Spirit to be in alignment with his word. This is not bigotry it’s a call to address a hardness of heart. You are accepted and loved. But be clear that The fruits you speak of would include laying down the idol of sexual sin whether gay or straight. It hurts to hear that you are hurt. But don’t allow a hardness of heart and idolatry of sexuality cause you to separate yourself from the community of Christ. I had to lay my burden of premarital sex DOWN and that was a straight relationship. Had I stood on that AND tried to be in leadership I would have been let go too. I will be praying for your strength and for the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you completely.

None of this is about LOVE or being a GOOD person it’s abt publicly being in LEADERSHIP position in church BUT PUBLICLY not Following THE WORD .. ppl have too understand that when in LEADERSHIP u can also be RESPONSIBLE for LEADING others too 🔥 If u not living right in an area of ur life publicly sit back sit tite and focus on ur SPIRITUALITY & relationship with GOD 1st .

As a Christian who was formerly homosexual. I hear your heart and plea to the modern Christian church. What I hear is that you were not disassociated from the church or “kicked out” of the body of Christ. No man has the power to do that. What I also hear is that the elders (gatekeepers)of the church felt it was best for you to not serve in a leadership role while current being a self-avowed servant-leader. What I discern and gather is, that church has a concern that… as a leader, it is critical that you practice scriptural holiness, and a life that both in spirit and truth reflects that of Christ. The other part of their concern perhaps is not your faith, your ability to love or teach, but the issue of true practical theology. None are not perfect; however, Christian ethics, justice, love, holiness, worship, and benevolence matters. Sexuality matters. I support and love you and affirm God knew you, considering the Jeremiah text; however, he also knew that Christ would come to set us free from sins that easily beset us or has us in a grip. Unfortunately, this includes lifestyles that take over our identity and sexuality. God knows your potential in Christ also. I know this hurts and seems unfair and I empathize with you. As a person who was formerly homosexual, Christ does do a work in us that only God can do. None of us are excluded from that. God’s is all-inclusive and all renewing. This is all new and I know your heart is tender still, but I want to encourage you to seek the face of God and let come alongside you. I encourage you not to blame God. Don’t blame God. Don’t turn your back on Him. Lean in, grieve this loss, let God lead you, and stay in his face and loving care.

Well you should know that we all have sin and God wants us to Repent and turn away from our Sin! You are still in it! What word of God are you reading! Yes God loves all people but whatever sin we are in we have to Repent and not to return to it no More! You can confess God all you want and post thousand scriptures but your still Sinning!

I feel like this video should be a phone call/convo with the church. Not with us. But since we're here... you can't be upset with "A Church" that enforces what the Bible speaks against. Idk what you disagree with here. It's a church 🤷🏿‍♂️

I'm still waiting for the part where he was kicked out. Did they cast him out of the ministry, or just ask him not to teach Sunday school anymore? Did they stop loving him, or just ask him to stop teaching Sunday school?

God is trying to have you look at yourself. Sometimes we don’t want to hear what God is saying because it goes against what we feel, think, believe about ourselves. It is hard and the first thing we do is look outside of ourselves to blame someone or something. My next question is do you think God makes mistakes? I pray you open your heart to what God is trying to change in you.

This is the kind of courageous conversation that the church needs to have. As uncomfortable as it may be it is worthy to discuss. My thought is that they did not say you couldn’t serve in ministry, they said you can’t serve in a “teaching ministry”. If you don’t believe in the whole doctrinal practices of this church, you should not be a teacher in this ministry. However, I do empathize with you because perhaps the leaders failed to have this stipulated when you were chosen to teach. If you have been teaching for 14 years then what was told to you about the requirement to teach? I trust that this ministry wants you to seek out scripture for yourself. You clearly stated that you don’t believe the pastor’s interpretation of scripture regarding homosexuality…this is why you maybe shouldn't be teaching. If you teach in this ministry you should be in alignment with what it believes so that when and if the question is asked in your class you can give the answer that aligns with the church doctrine. If you cannot, then you shouldn’t teach. I am praying for you, I feel hurt that you experienced this,. God does love you and He will provide the answer that you need. Be open to the Holy Spirit. Even in this He is working.

So it is the same as someone being married and committing adultry, or someone sleeping around with members of the church. It’s all immorality. It’s explicit in the word. I can say I love God but if I’m in sin then My leader would relieve me of what ever I am doing.

This young man was not kicked out the church but the facts were he was just sat down from the leadership role. He was never kicked out the church. How could he be at FBCG this long and not know the love in this church or what the church stood for. I’m positive this was not done with malice but from the backing of God’s word.

This just happened at my church Pastor didn’t ask them to leave the church he said you can’t be in a leadership position.

As a mother who attends FBCG and have been for years, and with a 2nd grader who regularly attends Sunday School and Bible study, I applaud the church for enforcing the principles according to God’s Word. Also, we can’t try to find “our truth” in the Bible by listening to others whose beliefs align with ours, no matter the sin. I agree with a previous statement that after 14 years there’s no conviction on your part. God loves us all, but we all must repent of our sins. By the way, if you’ve been at the church for as long as you say, you know good and well that you are NOT being singled out. You know pastor calls out ALL sins. Read the Bible please and ask God to bring clarity to you. It sounds like you want to remain in your sin.

Ok, so I remember this man. He taught my kids in Sunday school when we were still in Maryland and attended this church. He was a very nice gentleman who always brought snacks, and my kids learned a lot in his class, BUT that's not enough. Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." Sir, your love for your lifestyle is greater than your love for God. Ask me how I can make that judgment call? I'm glad you asked. It's because of your decisions. While the Lord requires us Christians to crucify our flesh DAILY, you have made the choice to gratify yours. Your lifestyle is what the bible calls sin. It's not the only sin in the world but one of many. The world has painted a Jesus that accepts everything and everyone. That's simply not the Jesus of the bible. There was a bold line drawn as to what God allows and what He doesn't. The fact that you taught for so long and were not thoroughly interviewed and given the biblical standards in which a Christian should uphold and be assessed over time saddens me. There's no such thing as being a "Gay Christian." It's an oxymoron. You are either gay or a Christian, but you can't be both. Why? Because God says you can't. Leaders have to do a better job with not just allowing whoever wants to volunteer, just welcome them right on in, and put them positions without inspecting the fruit of that individual. Not just once but throughout their tenue of that position. This is never about whether they are a "good person" or not but this is all about their daily decisions, lifestyle, their convictions because I can honestly say that if we had known, we would've pulled our kids out of His class and brought it to the leadership's attention that they had someone that was in a prominent position to teach our children about the bible who doesn't even embrace it himself. Young man, you need to repent and realize the error of your ways not just to get the position back but this is way bigger than Sunday School. Your eternal security is on the line. You want to show these kids something, show them that you chose Jesus over your flesh. That will impact the lives of many. May the Lord grant you the boldness to walk away from your sin, get delivered from the spirit of homosexuality that has you bound and surrender it all to the Lord who is a KEEPER. Seek wise biblical counsel on deliverance because the church did the right thing and I understand that you were hurt by their decision but they ultimately have to answer to the Lord so they can't be concerned with who is offended because they don't want to follow the bible and were relieved of their duties to teach the children. Here are some scriptures that will help you understand what the Word of God says about the topic. John 14:15 ( ‭John 14:15-18 NKJV‬ [15] “If you love Me, keep My commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (‭Psalms 89:31-32 NKJV‬ [31] If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, [32] Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. (‭I Corinthians 6:8-11 NKJV‬ [8] No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! [9] Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (‭I Corinthians 3:16-21 NKJV‬ [16] Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [17] If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. [18] Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; [20] and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” [21] Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: (‭I John 2:15 NKJV‬ [15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

My knowledge of first baptist beliefs and convictions, set give are biblically based are very clear. I'm not a member, but I have a close connection with this ministry. I said all of that to say that for someone who have served the amount of years you stated, it should not be a shock to you that they are totally against this way of life. Upon knowing their beliefs, you should have been integral enough to let them know this from the very beginning. Overall, my prayers, that this experience does not turn you away from The True God.

It is true that God has given humans the gift of free will. We have the power to choose our path in life and make decisions based on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Blaming God for the consequences of our actions is not fair because ultimately, we are responsible for the choices we make. Similarly, it's not fair to blame the church or the pastor for our spiritual growth because we have the ability to read and study the scriptures for ourselves. We must take ownership of our spiritual journey and actively seek knowledge and understanding. It is also important to be aware of the devil's schemes and not let his army deceive us. We should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God and not fall prey to the devil's kingdom.

Why people think that the Word of God should be compromised because someone loves to teach, loves children, etc is sooo crazy! I'd love to hear him explain to my little boy what sodomy is....God loves you, but hates your sin. No way you would be " teaching" my kid....have your own and teach them( my bad...you can't can you)

Wait. Wait. Wait. Pastor Jenkins (and FBCG leadership) relieved you of your duties as a Sunday School Teacher-yet, Stephen Hurd and Anthony Brown are on payroll? This is why the congregation of “I use to attend…” is steadily growing. This is completely baffling how can we (the black church and the church at large) coddle some and condemn others. Friend, please don’t give up on Jesus, and do not let this unfortunate situation deter you from your purpose and destiny in God; neither allow it to have you question the gift that God has placed inside you. Remain prayerful and continue authentically living and growing in the unconditional love of Christ.

Lord, have mercy on all of us. I'm far from righteous, I pray 🙏🏾 the Holy Spirit reveals to you that the lifestyle you're living in is not of God. Ephesians 6:12, Take this time to dig deeper into the word of God and open your heart to receive what he has to tell you. May the peace of God be with you 🙏🏾

When I first saw this video I was appalled; I am not an actual member of FBCG, but I am a regular watcher, & an active member of my COGIC church. We teach the BIBLE But then I thought 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾thank U for letting me know that this is truly a Bible based church (I already knew, which is why I watch) & thank U for letting people know this is a Bible based church, I heard Pastor preach on this video, I had not seen it then, but his stance is the same SIN is SIN so glad he had U sit down, wondering how U can teach from a Bible U do not believe in & "teach" under a Pastor U believe is teaching a lie when he says homosexuality is a SIN, I also hear him speak against lying, abortion, drinking, smoking, drugs, stealing, cheating, sexual sin with man & woman, (what God intended) if U are not married. He preaches against ALL sin hypocrites as well. All will send U to HELL unless U change & accept Christ in your life: Supposed 1 of those children U was teaching saw or heard of your lifestyle or your social media, & asked U about it, what do U tell them, Pastor Jenkins is teaching a lie when he says homosexuality is a sin?🤷🏾‍♀️ Yes God loves all of His children, but He hates ALL sin. All have sinned, but some have repented & accepted Christ & changed their lifestyle, I pray U search the scriptures & see that Pastor did the right thing, accept Christ in your life & turn from eternal destruction.

So, they still sing James Cleveland?

If you love God, you’ll be obedient to His word! All of it and not just the part that feels good. All of it!

If you are living in sin and not trying to come out, you or anyone else shouldn't serve in any level of ministry. You haven't obeyed the foundation level of Obedience. I'm sure you are gifted but your gift is easily perverted and imagine that being expressed to the kids. Your gift is open season for the enemy to use and infiltrate the very generation he is after. Seek deliverance, get pure then come back and serve

But what does the scriptures teach? It's not about what you think or what I think or what First Baptist Church Of Glen Arden thinks but what does the scripture teach???

Everyone has their own judgement day, no one will be able to validate for you. Why don’t we just wait until that time to see who’s right? Just keep living as you are and see if it was the way God wanted you to live. Why do you need everyone’s Validation on how you want to live your life?

I have read some of the comments please disregard the judgmental women that are commenting on your page. Because they are ignoring what the Bible says about wearing makeup, having that hair process, wearing mixed fabrics, and having a bunch of bad ass children out of wedlock. So ignore what some of these women are saying.

I’m sorry you experienced this in the House of God. I went through this with a church because I’m not GAY. I had to be gay to stay, it’s happening on both sides. Please don’t lose your faith in God though. Take time to heal. That’s what I’ve been doing. Forgive them that’s what’s most important. Keep your heart pure.

As a member of FBCG, I am sorry this happened to you. Please do not turn your back on God and what He has for you to do. I’m praying for you! 🙏🏾

God views are what they are about sexual sins. Wether. Adulrry, fornicating, be lesbian, bisexual, gay or what ever. It falls in the category of immorality. The condemnation comes from not walking in the spirit. It’s not that the church doesn’t love you it is the sin that is not loved because God hates sin!!

The first love towards God is keeping his commandment, all sexual sin is against the will of God,the church is doing this for you out of love

As a man from Maryland who resides in DC. I know that church very well, and they have to kick out half the congregation . I’m sorry this happened because I know you cared. Finding people who actually care should be a priority. It really is April 2024, that this is even an issue sounds like 1745. Keep your head up & keep being you!

This isn’t a comment on homosexuality but rather my perspective on any church. I am a member of FBCG and was a tithing member who was divorced. Many years after my divorce I wanted to remarry. Pastor didn’t allow me to be married in my church where I was serving and paying my tithes. Did I get offended and leave? No, I did not. I prayed and asked God to guide me. I prayed and found peace with my decision to remarry. I respect that Pastor is the Shepherd of that church and I was completely content to find a church where I could remarry and I continued to attend, serve and support my church. The moral of my story is, he is the Pastor. If you find you are no longer able to follow his teachings and guidance, you move on. You don’t take to social media to ridicule the church.

Practicing homosexuality is not loving God. That is the opposite of loving God.

It is interesting reading all this commentary. It’s like the Civil War all over again. However, one fact that was not necessarily called out was if the liars, fornicators, non-tithe payers, and jealous folk were fired as well. If the church is a hospital where everyone is sin sick, he can’t be the only one that is in need of blood of Jesus each and every day. I’d love for all the Holy Ghost filled saints that took pride and joy in posting scriptures related to his sin to repost the scriptures that condemn theirs. (Crickets). In so many ways his story is courageous like Joshua, vulnerable like Job, and expressive like David. Homosexuals that choose to have the boldness to seek Christ often exude far more integrity than those that simply live to embarrass and fear monger others. Who really won here? Is it the kids that lost a loving teacher? A church member with a broken heart? Or a ministry that is blasted on social media? No! It’s Satan. For the price of some Administrative person at the church keeping it real we have yet another mode of division in the black church. It’s actually pitiful.

Your experience breaks my heart. Their actions do not represent Christ our Creator. Christ loves you and he will guide you to the place where you can continue to use your gift and passion of teaching. You are needed and you are loved

I am a FBCG member. I am deeply sorry that this happened to you at FBCG. May your heart heal in time and hope/pray that you are able to still keep your connection to God in the long run….🙏🏾

I'm trying to understand why you made a video, and people on here agreeing. And if the Bible ain't true.

I left church 7 years ago and I don't plan on going back. I was in the church since my mother was pregnant with me. I don't align with Christianity anymore. I used to teach Sunday school at my church, I taught the children. after I got pregnant, they told me I couldn't teach Sunday school because I was pregnant and unwed. they said it's teaching the kids that fornication is ok. mind you, the man I got pregnant by we had been together 4 years at the time we got pregnant. we met at school...and had been friends for 4 years. to this day him and I are still together, our family is thriving, we haven't gotten married because I don't care about it and I was never one to even Dre about marriage. like for me, it's not that important. but the fact they had drug dealers, thugs, felons andnall types of people that attended this church, but they singled me out because I had sex and got pregnant with my best friend. I left church that day and never went back.

I have been a member of FBCG for more than 10 years now. Pastor Jenkins is a pastor who goes by the book of God. If you don’t like what he says you don’t love the word of God. I pray for you brother. The Bible states clear as day that homosexuality is frowned upon is God eyes. And if you are not religious you can see that if you can give life from that partnership than it is not from Christ

First Baptist is a great church! They are Bible believing and Bible teaching. Since you have a disbelief in the Bible , God’s word and that is the church’s doctrine by your own omission-- why don’t you go to a church that BELIEVE the way you do…. Your lifestyle doesn’t line up with what that church believes, once they found out that you were gay and that’s against their beliefs, they ask you to step down, they never threw you out, they never told you that they didn’t love you, they removed you from serving in the ministry as your lifestyle doesn’t line of with their beliefs or God’s word. You’re talking about what scholars said about the Bible, so why don’t you go to a church of those scholars 💁🏽‍♀️. No one is condemning you, this church is speaking the truth of God. love, God loves everyone but He hates the sin. The Bible is clear on homosexuality… and since you don’t believe in the Bible and you quote scholars… keep that momentum and go to a church that accepts your lifestyle. But don’t cause discourse because you can’t change God‘s people or God’s word to correspond with a belief that is an abomination to God. Why and how are you teaching children at First Baptist anyway??? yet you don’t believe in the Bible ??? Go and be changed in Jesus’ name!

I love how people suddenly become biblical scholars when it comes to homosexuality but not for the FAR more obvious things Jesus said about wealth, pride, etc. LMAO.

Please consider Alfred Street Baptist Church. We would love to have you and welcome you to serve in our educational department.

All I’m gonna say is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10… May God Bless you

You know, I used to go to FBCG. I’m not gay, but what made me leave the church is hearing the Pastor say that the evidence of Christianity is about going to church, not drinking, staying away from sin…and that they don’t go along with the gay agenda. Jesus said that the evidence of true discipleship is the way you LOVE one another. This video is a confirmation that I made the right decision to leave the church. The Bible says that those who don’t show love don’t actually know God. I was extremely hurt in a ministry at FBCG. The ministry leader humiliated me at my very FIRST meeting with the group.

It probably wasn’t an issue until it was public. The Bible thumpers won’t have love or compassion. 1/2 of them live the same way. Thanks for sharing your story. Gay is nothing new. 🙏🏾

The scriptures are written. You can not pull out what benefits you in 'the moment'. Theology is theirs and it stands. I am sorry for your feelings but churches remove many members from positions based off not living in the word. Please know you are not alone, this happens too many. KEY..repent, ask God for forgiveness and ask God for clarity. (All sinners) Deny, Cross and Follow. God is concerned about living in HIS WORD. Members and positions are different. God Bless you and your journey.

If you love God you will keep his commandments..God never said be comfortable living in your truth we are to live in Gods truth...thats where the problem comes..God has no gray area it's either black or white ...(man and woman) produce life..God is life...any lifestyle other then that is against his will...Dont be deceived 💯

God bless you. Keep pushing forward 🙏🏽

I’m so sorry that this happened to you. Don’t allow what happened to stop you from believing in God and worshiping Him. You can be gay & a Christian. God want you to come to Him in Spirit & in Truth so come as you are. Seek Him to find a church that will allow you to be your full self there but don’t lose faith. Even when those who say they’re Christian’s try to use the Bible as a weapon, stand fast in your faith. That same Bible has something that’s condemning them too, so let them know that they can go sit down somewhere. Be encouraged, learn from this and don’t lose hope & don’t lose faith. God’s got you and you got my prayers & support.

So sorry this happened to you. God is love! Keep your faith and try not to let this situation break it. I know it can be a challenge.

I don't think you're being honest with yourself. I know you're hurt; but you know Pastor John K Jenkins would ask another person in leadership to have a seat if he/she was online promoting sex work (for example) or online robbing banks and just saying they love God, though and they were just born a thief or sex work is work. No, we all have to adjust spiritually to align ourselves with God's design for us in accordance with his word.

"For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!" From the Book of Wisdom (not included in the Hebrew Old Testament).

My friend keep your head up. Keep doing what you’re doing. God knows where your heart is. You’re not the only person who’s a homosexual in the church.

I can empathize with the hurt and disappointment of the decision however, if you truly are a fellow believer you also have to be aware of biblical church discipline. Sin is sin no matter what form it takes. As someone who serves at my church I know for a fact that if I were out having pre-marital sex (which I’m not) yet something like that came out, then my elders would also take the stance to sit me down until I was walking in repentance. The church has stepped away from discipline out of fear of the culture. But Jesus is coming back to a church unstained without spot of blemish. Please take this time to truly seek the Lord on what repentance looks like. It’s one thing to have this experience and fight through the temptation, but to continue to live in it openly, is indeed sin my friend.

The church did the right thing! If you can’t obey the BIBLE you are trying to teach these babies WHAT BUSINESS do you have teaching them. “If you love me keep my commandments!”

Thank you for sharing your experience Jeremy. Praying that God will guide you to a loving and affirming environment as you seek healing from this in the next season of your faith journey.

Sending love & hugs your way. ❤ Shame on them, truly. While we know that this door closed so that another one could open for you, even brighter… I know it doesn’t stop this from being extremely painful. It is clear how much you loved this church and your work with them. It’s all very disappointing.

Loving God is enough

The leaders didn’t see that spirit on you from in the beginning? Many leaders will not allow you in leadership in a whole gay relationship

You are very confused and yes, You must run to God because HE DOES LOVE YOU! HE DOESN'T LOVE SIN! I pray Jehovah that you will deliver, heal and set this young man free of all the things that have him bound, show him Your true way, YOUR TRUTH, deliver him from bitterness and allow him to feel Your love as you give him truth, understanding and the deliverance only YOU can give him in Jesus Christ name I pray Thank You Jehovah, Amen🙏🌟

May ya heart be healed❤❤ But never invite ANY church to ya bedroom life!!! Regardless!!! Be who you are and keep loving big!!! But the Church shouldn’t question ya bedroom, it’s none of their business, you got to keep some areas separate. Like work and school for example- you don’t tell ya manger of ya school syllabus is unless you put in for a raise

I am so sorry that this happened to you. One of the many things I love about you is your faith. Don’t turn your back on God because God didn’t kick you out of ministry. The pastor did. Although pastors should be held to a higher standard, they are still only human so they will make mistakes. So we can’t be too shocked when things like this happen. I don’t want to minimize what you’re going through, but I also don’t want you to stress too much about it. I definitely don’t want it to affect your faith. Because your solution seems difficult, but is relatively simple. Find another church that accepts you for who you are. Also, know that you are still a child of The Most High God and there are big plans in the works for you. Who knows? Those plans may be even bigger than teaching Sunday School 😉 Love you!!!! ❤

So many open and affirming churches in the DMV. Please bring your gifts and serve God and people in a place that loves you.

Thanks for this. It took tremendous courage for this post! I admire you for it. If you have not yet heard the song “Audacity” by Billy Porter, please listen to it. I hope it helps. ❤

I’m desperately sorry that this happened. I grew up Southern Baptist and I know how hard it is to follow Christ, without backlash from the church. I went through some deep addictions, suicidal attempts, and cutting and never felt safe…. People were always looking and judging. I was told to sit in the back if I wanted to continue to go to church. I have always felt that the scripture is twisted into the “correct” dogma. HE MADE YOU, HE KNOWS YOU, HE LOVES YOU, and I’m so glad, and proud of you, for sharing your story. My father is a southern Baptist Preacher, and we will never agree on the fact that being LGBTQ is acceptable to God. Which means I can never tell him the truth about myself within the LGBTQ community. You are an incredible human who is FILLED with Christ’s love. I would LOVE to follow a Bible study video if you ever decide to do them. I’ve been searching for a church, and you are a blessing. Again, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for confirming that this is a true biblical church and I would love to visit it!!! You need to thank God that they loved you enough to tell you the truth so you could repent and turn away from your evil sins and turn to Christ for mercy and forgiveness, that you may obtain eternal life

This is the same church that let my father and his evil wife be teacher's and ministers of the Blended Families Ministry, but then when it came time for our family to blend ,my father's wife didn't want my dad to have anything to do with us. When my father died and his funeral was at FBCG and myself, and family members were on the front row crying along with Cruela Deville ( my dad's wife) nobody from that damn church acknowledged us. Ok, maybe 4 members from the church . When I called one of the ministers to let them know how me and my family felt his response was ......" We didn't know about ya'll !" This is the same church who's members watched and listened to my evil stepmother tell us we couldn't use the bathroom at their house when we went to go get my father's things. Keep being you and God will continue to bless you! FBCG .....God is watching!

Hey brother, I am trying to understand the reason for your video. You have said that God made you this way which some don't agree with because it contradicts His word in "free choice." If you are searching for the truth of where God stands on this topic take a look at Lev. 18. Could it be that God is calling you to a place of correction? No shade, but you seem as if you surprise about the church response to your lifestyle, but you have known this for years and have continued to attend......Why? My prayer is that you dig into the Word of God and find the TRUTH and believe it.

My heart goes out to you friend... Love you!

Jeremy... I did not know you were so close. Im sorry to hear this. I pray for new open doors❤

God allowed them or sat you down because he wants you to see something. God loves you for sure and sometimes love hurts us to help us, he sat you down because he loves you, this is for your good. He is trying to get your attention. Although the church is just now seeing your lifestyle God has always seen it. Don't take this personal, it's not personal its God's doing and it's kingdom... kingdom of Light. Homosexuality is the agenda of hell, deception and error

Brother, don't listen to the pharisees who try to hold you down. There are people who will try and "set you down" because you are gay but they will have to stand before the Lord for their judgmental spirit. Many have misinterpreted the Bible and think it condemns who you are but they are wrong. You and your partner follow Jesus and find a place where God is honored and you are welcomed for who you are. My heart hurts for you. God is bigger than their small minds. You are loved and are a wonderful creation for His glory. I will be praying for you.

So sorry this happened to you! God is the only judge. You should be allowed to serve regardless. It’s no one’s business. If they fired you for this hopefully they go through every other staff member’s life with a fine tooth comb because no one is perfect. We are all sinners and imperfect even when we strive to be perfect - whatever that means. Serving 14 years with no issue and then being fired suddenly as if it’s not obvious you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community is crazy. They knew. Someone probably brought it up and now they’re like oops… now we have to “stand on business.” Like come on…. Any Christian knows that how you judge others is how you will be judged in heaven. So I hope that clergy is squeaky clean… and we know they aren’t. God bless you. God loves you. There are churches in DC that are way more accepting, I pray you try a new one out.

Who is qualified to teach Sunday School? Or better yet what is the standard? He taught Sunday school for years so he is not "openly living in sin" in front of the kids, so who should teach Sunday school? Should unmarried mothers be banned from teaching? Fathers who have abandoned their responsibilities? Folks who are living together without being married? Those who have sex outside of marraige...so what is the standard? We are quick to turn away those who are participating in lifestyles that we disagree with but are also quick to turn a blind eye to those who live in sin that we are comfortable with. IF there is a standard then what is it? AND why is it not applied across the board. Im not saying the church is wrong, I've been to this church many times. But if there is a standard, it should be communicated and implemented across the board. He is Cleary out the closet and I'm sure he would not have been in that position had that been communicated from the start.

I’m so sorry this happened to you my friend! I’m also very proud of you for sharing your story and your example of resilience through all of this. You are absolutely correct, it’s not God, it’s man… God loves you just as you were born! ❤ I am certain that you have done way more for God’s Kingdom in the past 15 years than many church members thrice your age… God is the ultimate decision maker, and He’s not through with you yet! 🙏🏾

So if the allegations about Bishop Jakes turn out to be true, does that mean Jakes won't preach our revival in Jan. 2025?

I'm sorry this happened to you, God love you he loved us all.❤

JEREMY there are many congregations that are waiting for the love and compassion that you have. Unfortunately not many of them will be black congregations. As the black church many, due to the long history of trauma that we still circulate, many will still handle you in this manner. Be gay, just dont show it or post about it......Oh but please keep writing hispel songs that the people fall put too, sing us under the rug, preach us under the table, etc....... MY GOD, were the worst. 15 years!!!!! What changed? Many black churches use people until they have no more use of you. Find a healthy GODLY and God Like community JEREMY because that wasnt it

I'm sorry for what happened to you and that's got to be devastating but I do have this to say I once was gay and i learned that God is love and he does want us to love our neighbors like we would ourselves but I also learned that God is holy heaven is holy witch mean that there are know sin in heaven and there are many of sins that God don't approve of and being gay is one of them when you get saved meaning get baptized repenting of your sins allowing God in your heart as your Lord and Savior you are a new creation in Christ the old you is no more so through him you began to live the way he want you to live. Now I'm not siding with the church because the preacher was supposed to lead you to salvation and he didn't. But God loves you but he doesn't like the sin so I hope this message can help you God bless .

Whew. This is an ongoing twister of an issue in churches across the world.

If your pastor preached against same-sex relationships, why would you remain at that church or think they would be ok with your lifestyle? By the way you made a great point about church hypocrisy.

There was Brenda, Latisha, Linda, Felicia Dawn, LeShaun, Ines and Alicia Teresa, Monica, Sharon, Nick Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky Cookie, well, I met her in a ice cream parlor Tonya, Diane, Lori, and Carla Marina, Selena, Katrina, Sabrina About three Kims, LaToya and Tina Shelley, Bridget, Cathy, Rasheeda Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita Stacy, Tracie, Rohna and Ronda Donna, Yolanda, Tawana, and Wanda Oh, sorry. Wrong post!

I would love/welcome answers to deronte123's questions; specifically 'what is the standard' since a blind eye is given to other sins?

Fornication is sin. God made me a woman. But I can't fornicate with a man, because that is how God made me. The Bible is very clear on sin. You seem like a very nice person. But good and nice is not the requirement for salvation. We have to turn away from sin (repent), accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you don't believe what is in the bible is true, why do you want to teach it? How do you accept some of the bible as truth and some as untruth? Man wants to live how he wants to live. Man wants to create god in his own image. A god that accepts them as they are. But this is not truth. Absolutely, God loves you. But God does not love our sin....whether we are straight or gay. The church should not condone sin, regardless of whether you are straight or gay. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will …

See, this is so unfortunate. I feel bad for you but I also feel bad for your students. Not only will they feel your absence, but what is the church really teaching them? Anyway God bless you and know that you are loved.

I'm gay and no longer go to church. I have a personal relationship with God .My twin brother who was a nurse was also gay. He, David was murdered. Shortly after his funeral a woman told me that his murder was a message from God and that David is in Hell and I am going there too if I dont change!! If Jesus was on earth today he would stand up for all who are different like gay, trans and so on. I am happier & healthier ( used to be very depressed ) since leaving religion & church. Love from Milwaukee, Take Care Donald Ewert 🙏❤️🏳️‍🌈

We are all sinners they should have prayed for you but Allowed you teach Sunday school. Im so sorry you were hurt by this

Hey Jeremy I’m praying for your strength and courage during this time and for God to continue hold your heart and for your to still seek God during this time! Do not be defeated!! Keep your head held high and walk into your victory because this is just setting you up for your next level! Increase Jesus!!

Why are you in a church that doesn't align with your beliefs? Is it to change or try and change them?

God will deliver you, the bible says he took the rib of a man to make a woman for Adam, God did not create men to be with men, yes God loves you, but the leader did the right thing, it's not just what the church say, it's what the bible say, you understand why, they did it, get on your knees and pray. If you're posting strictures get your life right with God, stop please this has nothing to do with Love God loves us all, but the bible say, God did not make you GAY

Hugs and love to you! That church didn't deserve you! I hope you go somewhere with loving and accepting people. You seem like an amazing person and I know things will work out for you!

There are some churches that don't interpret scriptures to be against gay people. Please seek out these churches for a way to get spiritual food.

Wow. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray, as a fellow minister & minstrel, that your story be one of the key stories that leads to positive social change and theological refining in our churches - for the beloved community and social well-being for ALL of God’s people! Your story is a part of what we pray leads us to more “heaven on earth”. 🙏🏽

This experience shouldn’t shake your faith in God; let it remind you to not put your faith or trust in man. Follow what you’ve been led to do and walk in your own faith and relationship with God. Keep teaching, keep guiding and keep being an inspiration to others like you.

We should walk in love and treat each other as we want to be treated...that's why I attend the church I do...

If you are gay & proud, you should have been fired in that role because that lifestyle is an abomination to YAH, the Most High. It’s not what He created but what Satan created. If you are a truly repentant gay man, then they should still have let you go as a church rep. until a time Jesus delivers you. It’s not about what “the church believes.” It’s about what does GOD SAY. Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9. Furthermore, you should not be allowed to cause others especially children who watch and imitate what they see to stumble Matthew 18:6 You need to repent with everything in you. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ALL sinners need to REPENT. Ask God to help you and He will if you are really ready to be healed. Psalm 51🙏🏽 Stay in the Word and crying out to God and He will wash you.

My prayers are with you Jeremy. It is unfortunate that your church, where you have been a faithful and active member, took this action, because I am sure there are many LGBTQ members that attend and participate in the ministries, however I think this is the way it is at many African American congregations, unless you assimilate like the majority heterosexual members. May you find a new church home where you are genuinely welcomed! Be Blessed

Attend a church that accepts EVERYONE. God accepts everyone. God allowed you to experience and see this church’s bigotry so you can go somewhere else to continue glorifying God through teaching children about HIM. BLESS YOU!!!!