Image Credit: Facebook & Senator Brent Taylor / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A Memphis area pastor sparks a flurry of controversy over his comments on immigration, driving one Tennessee state senator to leave the Sunday church service.
Dr. Matt Crawford, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Cordova, began his Sunday message by telling the congregation that he wanted to talk about something that was “a little bit sensitive.”
Crawford then went on to offer commentary on things that are happening with immigration policies.
He said, “I don’t think we should have wide open borders. But I do believe immigration is a major part of what has made this country so great. It’s a major part of our history.”
Crawford noted that, while he did not believe that violent criminals should be allowed to remain in the United States, he also believed that reform was needed to allow illegal aliens who are good people to become legal more easily.
He went on to state that he did not believe it was the church’s job to police the legality of people’s status in the U.S., stating instead that they are “called to love and to help those in need.”
Crawford then addressed talk of the possibility of church services being raided as law enforcement officials seek out illegal aliens.
“I don’t want people who come here to be ministered to and to hear the gospel, to be afraid to come here,” he said. “So I hope that we can give each other grace if we disagree on the details. There be a unified church because the unity of the Church of Jesus Christ is so important.”
Social media was flooded Monday with backlash against Crawford.
The Center for Baptist Leadership wrote, “(Pastor Crawford) inaccurately attacked Trump’s recent immigration enforcement actions in his sermon. His progressive politicking was so offensive that TN State Senator Brent Taylor got up and walked out.”
A spokesperson confirmed that State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) was in attendance and did walk out of the service. They would not offer any additional comment.
Crawford’s comments can be read in their entirety at Fox13 News.
