Church stands by call to execute gay people: “I will not apologize for preaching the Word of God.”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A church leader in Indianapolis is doubling down on a sermon delivered at the Sure Foundation Baptist Church in the state’s capital city last week that called on gay people to “blow yourself in the back of the head,” among other incendiary statements.

Church leader Justin Zhong endorsed the remarks delivered by lay pastor Stephen Falco during a Men’s Preaching Night service on June 29, including his assertion that, “There’s nothing good to be proud about being a f*g. You ought to blow yourself in the head in the back of the head. You’re so disgusting.”

The church posted the sermon to YouTube, and it was widely denounced by members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies who called the hate-filled screed “theologically irresponsible” and “pastorally dangerous.”

YouTube has since removed the video for violating its terms of service. A portion of the sermon was reposted by radio station 93 WIBC Indianapolis.

93 WIBC Indianapolis on X (formerly Twitter): “An Indianapolis church said members of the LGBTQ+ community should be put to death or kill themselves.During a recent sermon titled “Pray the Gay Away” inside the Sure Foundation Baptist Church on the northwest side of the city, church leader Stephen Falco said the community… pic.twitter.com/w8PDbG5hAD / X”

An Indianapolis church said members of the LGBTQ+ community should be put to death or kill themselves.During a recent sermon titled “Pray the Gay Away” inside the Sure Foundation Baptist Church on the northwest side of the city, church leader Stephen Falco said the community… pic.twitter.com/w8PDbG5hAD

“Why do I hate sodomites, why do I hate f*gs? Because they attack children, they’re coming after your children, they are attacking them in schools today, and not only schools in public places, and they’re proud about it!” Falco said during the Pride month sermon titled “Pray the gay away.”

Another man identified in the same video as “Brother Wayne” followed Falco at the pulpit with a sermon he called “Worthy of Being Beaten,” according to the Indianapolis Star. He blamed society’s moral decline on