Church meeting turns into slugfest at Georgia church during vote over keeping or firing controversial pastor
Parishioners come to blows in free for all at Georgia church during vote over whether controversial pastor should be fired
The massive brawl broke out at Greater Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon, Monday when supporters of controversial pastor locked horns with those wo wanted him to resign
The fight erupted during a vote on whether controversial pastor David Stephens should be fired
The congregation has been divided for several years over his leadership. On multiple occasions, church leaders have sought his resignation or termination
The is deeply divided on their church leader who has devoted fans as well as those calling for his resignation
Video shows punches being thrown, shoving, and chairs being launched, but so far there are no reports of any injuries or any arrests having been made
A massive brawl broke out during a meeting at a Georgia Baptist church after a disagreement over the fate controversial of pastor
A massive brawl broke out during a meeting at a Georgia Baptist church during a vote on whether its controversial pastor should be fired.
Punches were thrown, church goers were shoved to the ground, and chairs were launched across the room after a fight erupted at Greater Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon, GA on Monday.
Local county deputies were forced to call for back up after the two cops were overwhelmed by the brawl. So far, no injuries or arrests have been reported. But police are continuing to investigate the incident.
The violence broke out at the Georgia chapel during a heated debate over the leadership of Pastor David Stephens.
A Church meeting turned violent at the Georgia church during a heated discussion of the leadership of Pastor David Stephens (photo)
The brawl lasted for several minutes until police blew a whistle, ordering ‘everyone out’, and the mob dissipated.
At one point on Monday night, a woman came on the microphone and asked the crowds ‘Us not having a pastor at all, is that going to make this a better church or worse?’
‘Worse!’ the man filming responded. ‘We want Pastor Stephens. He a big help to the community, though. They trippin.’
Churchgoers prepared to vote on the issue and were lining up when there was some disruption at the front.
‘If you keep talking you won’t be able to vote,’ a man at the podium told the crowd. ‘If y’all don’t vote, y’all just don’t vote.’
Pastor David Stephens of Greater Bellevue Baptist Church with wife, LaShanna Stephens
Punches were thrown, church goers were shoved to the ground, and chairs were launched across the room
Another church goer called for peace, saying: ‘We’re all family here, we’re a church family right, so can’t we all get along?’
But the words had no effect as frustrations boiled over and violence broke out.
Stephens, a married father-of-two who has been preaching for years, posted Psalm 16:8 after the riot on his Facebook page which read: ‘I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.’
‘Gracious and kind father, it’s great to know you,’ he added. ‘Challenges come and challenges go and I don’t know what is in my path for today. There is one thing I do know – and that is you are my rock and my fortress. You are my shield and my strong tower.’
Several of his flock have reached out to him in the wake of the brawl to offer their support.
Jarvis Ellis wrote: ‘Love and praying for you Bro/Pastor David Stephens. An attack on 1 is an attack on all.’
Greater Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon, Ga
His sentiments were echoed by many on the pastor’s Facebook page including Johnny Roquemore who wrote: ‘Praying for you Pastor and the family. As well as Our church family as a whole.. The Devil is busy.
Pastor David Stephens has been embattled over his leadership of the Greater Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon, GA for several years now. On multiple occasions, church leaders have sought his resignation or termination,without success.
Monday’s meeting had been called with the purpose of deciding if the members wanted the pastor to remain. The divisions are so incredibly deep that bedlam broke out.
Fist fights, profanity and chaos led to local police being called to the church campus. to calm the situation, the meeting was suspended by law enforcement.
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