An Alabama church that was supposed to host a Turning Point USA event was vandalized.
Someone spraypainted hateful language on the front doors of The Movement Church in Madison County, Alabama.
Bryan Dawson, the chief executive officer of 1819 News, an Alabama-centric website that reports news from a conservative worldview, was supposed to be the keynote speaker.
The attacker wrote, “Bryan Dawson serves the Anti Christ,” on the front of the building. “Beware his falsehoods.”
Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner released a statement to television station WAFF: “Acts of vandalism and intimidation have no place in our community. Every person, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations, deserves to feel safe where they worship, work, or gather. We will not tolerate this type of behavior in Madison County. Our detectives are working diligently to identify those responsible and ensure they are held accountable. To the citizens of Madison County, please know that this kind of conduct is unacceptable, and we will use every available resource to bring those responsible to justice. This is not who we are as a community.“
Pastor Seth Adgate was surprised that the church was targeted.
“This is not Chicago, this is not a New York City, a Portland, a Seattle,” he told AL.com. “This is like small town America and the ideologies that are being brought into this area are going to change the beautiful nature of North Alabama and they will change it to what those are because bad ideologies create bad cities.”
Lucas Miles, the senior director of TPUSA Faith, condemned the church attack in a statement to AL.com.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our partner churches in Alabama was vandalized ahead of a TPUSA Faith event,” Miles said. “Acts like this are cowardly and completely contrary to the spirit of Christ.”
Miles said TPUSA stands with the pastor and congregation and would not be undeterred by the incident.
“While we pursue justice, we refuse to be distracted,” Miles told AL.com. “The enemy would love to use moments like this to derail the revival God is stirring—but we’re more committed than ever to advancing truth, faith, and freedom across this nation.”
Todd Starnes is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and host of The Todd Starnes Radio Show.
