Police in Blackwell, Oklahoma are investigating First Assembly of God Church after a man said he was held down by congregants during a service, according to NBC News and KFOR-TV. The church disputes his account.
Sean, 23, told KFOR-TV that his family had urged him to attend the church since he came out as gay last spring. He said he and his partner, Gary, finally went on September 8 so he could make his mom proud.
Sean said that after the service the pastor began preaching about homosexuality and about 12 church members gathered around the couple. “They hold me down, pin me down, and I’m crying,” he told the station, adding that people spoke in tongues and prayed over him. He said Gary was pushed out of the church and that Gary was punched in the face and held down when he tried to leave with him.
Sean filed a report with the Blackwell Police Department. Police Chief Dwayne Wood confirmed to NBC News that the investigation is ongoing. No charges had been announced at the time of this report.
Pastors Bill and Tami, who lead the church, responded in a Facebook statement. They said the incident “began as a family matter that escalated,” that the church would never condone restraining anyone unless they were engaged in violent activity, and that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement. They also wrote that “a rush to judgment is not in anyone’s best interest.”
Sean said he has received threats from people in the community who want him to drop the investigation, but he wants accountability. “I love the pastors with all my heart, but what they did was totally wrong,” he told KFOR-TV.
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