Forum explores complaints about preachers’ hatred
Jacob Summerville/The Lion's Roar
Sabrae Nasset, a sophomore general studies major and member of standOUT, addresses the panel during “The Students & The Public” event put on by the Student Government Association. During the session, attendees expressed their grievances about members of Consuming Fire Ministries.
Concerns from students and faculty reached administration and fueled the discussion of an hour-long meeting about free speech and community safety.
“The Students & The Public” was hosted by the Student Government Association on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Commons. The conversation invited the campus community to gather and share their experiences and thoughts about Consuming Fire Ministries, who have visited campus consistently in the past.
Students from standOUT participated in the discussion, voicing their concerns to a panel consisting of Dr. Gabe Willis, dean of students, Leah Cross, SGA chief justice, and Dr. Peter Emerson, interim director of the University Counseling Center.
Mark Clem, a freshman psychology major and member of speakOUT, shared that a preacher named Kevin has insulted bisexual and transgender students. Clem cited a short video, which has been reported to the dean of students, that shows this preacher saying, “I might as well rape her,” to a student based on the way she was dressed.
Clem called for action, especially in reference to the university’s “Vision 2025” plan.
“It was heartbreaking, enraging and even frustrating,” said Clem. “Other trans students are deadly afraid, like I am, for their safety here on Southeastern’s campus. Your 2025 plan encourages diversity and excellence, but where’s the diverse positivity and safety for LGBT students, and even other minorities on campus? During this hate group’s visit, where is the excellence in their disgusting, scary and hateful words?”
Willis explained that due to the brevity of the video, more evidence is needed to take any substantial legal action.
“We have already started to investigate that thoroughly, but we have to go through that entire process, and a short clip almost handcuffs us in a decision because it is a very short clip,” discussed Willis. “In this open space, I’m going to ask: If you have a longer video where we have more context, if we can piece it together to know exactly what was said, how it was said other than that short clip, we will move on it.”
During this meeting, Willis also clarified that any views expressed by the preachers do not reflect the values of the university.
Dr. Marc Settembrino, associate professor of sociology and faculty advisor for standOUT, stated that Consuming Fire Ministries is a hate group that has harassed students and faculty with homophobic slurs for the past seven years of his career.
“We have stood by for far too long and have remained silent for far too long to the point at which a student was threatened with rape, regardless of the context, is extremely horrific,” said Settembrino. “As a faculty member at this university, I am ashamed that any of my students have to encounter that. I am tired. I am exhausted of working with crying students who have been belittled and have been reduced to nothing. I am tired of an administration that does nothing – that simply restates the law.”
Sabrae Nasset, a sophomore general studies major and member of speakOUT, explained that ignoring the preachers entirely is an ineffective solution to the harassment.
“Some students may be one yell, one horrible shout away, from a horrible breakdown, and telling us to be silent, to let them speak louder when we know ignoring them will not work is, to me, telling us that we don’t matter,” shared Nasset.
According to state law, stalking is a form of harassment. Members of the assembly expressed that preachers have followed them throughout different points on campus.
Willis shared that he wishes to work more closely with the University Police Department to monitor these preachers’ actions.
“I see conversation happening, I see yelling,” said Willis. “But maybe we need to do a better job, from a police standpoint, from administration standpoint, seeing who’s being followed. If that’s the case, we need to do a better job.”
Willis summarized what action can and cannot be taken against these preachers under state law and the First Amendment.
“If there is a line that we’re crossing with harassment and anything else – being touched, being threatened with rape – we need to do better,” explained Willis. “But simply speech that is distasteful to me or offensive to me, I can’t choose to squash it and accept a different form of speech that I’m comfortable with.”
Since state law has restricted the university’s ability to govern free speech on campus, the assembly mentioned some ways that the administration can make LGBTQ+ students and faculty feel more welcomed.
Ideas prompted by members of speakOUT and agreed upon by the assembly include mandatory Safe Space training by faculty and staff, better promotion of LGBTQ+ resources on campus – especially Safe Spaces, inclusion of more gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, and listing a student’s preferred name on their university ID.
Emerson shared that the “Here and Queer” support group is one of the largest on campus and that the counseling center is in the process of adding a second group session to the schedule.
The concerns of students from encounters with the preachers has caused many to visit the counseling center after the fact, so Emerson saw the discussion as a necessity.
“I think forums like this should be continued so you can continue to have your voice,” shared Emerson. “You can talk to administration, and those that are in charge of policy and policy formation can be able to address those issues up front before they even get over to us.”
Students who face harassment in any form are encouraged to contact UPD, or to use the Incident Report Form or the Lion Intervention Network on the university website.
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Jacob Summerville, a history and political science major, has worked at The Lion's Roar since September 2017. A native of Greenwell Springs, LA, Jacob...
Amber • Apr 10, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Consuming Fire is disgusting for bringing children/child wives on campus to witness their hate-speech.
Charlie • Mar 13, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Kevin is a man who loves his own right to speed his mind (and threat to rape people), but hates when others use it.
Consuming Fire Fellowship is a hate group who uses their children as shields. No water, no food. Just supporting their father while they are forced to hold signs. They should be in school. Shame on this ‘church’. <- Free speech.
KEVIN PULVER • Oct 13, 2019 at 9:21 am
Pardon me Becky, I stand corrected. Yes it was Sarah I meant to address in that remark. But why do you accuse me of “toxic masculinity”; in light of the transgender psychobabble propaganda you students are taught and many apparently believe? How do you know I’m not a seven-foot tall black woman being discriminated against by the NBA?
Of course that sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But wait! I asked one of your fellow students if Bruce Jenner was a man or woman. The student declined to answer because there were, “so many factors to consider”!
And for the record, no, I do not believe that, “all women are the same”.
(watch them clip that quote and put it on the front page of this rag)
I do believe that all women are the same in the sense that no matter how deep into sin they may be, Jesus Christ can not only forgive them, but totally set them free by giving them a new heart and new desires.
Becky • Oct 11, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Ooops I made another typo. AND I think Kevin really meant to address Sarah. I guess all women are the same to him?
Toxic masculinity at its best.
Becky • Oct 11, 2019 at 3:00 pm
If I’m just an emotional and irrational child, why are you wasting so much time trying to belittle me?
What I’m seeing here is so similar to how you treat women on campus. You’re threatened by us and can’t stand to think that a woman is smarter than you OR has a closer relationship with God thank you ever will.
I pray that you find peace. ✌️
KEVIN PULVER • Oct 11, 2019 at 11:00 am
I’m sorry Becky. Please forgive me.
You are also very typical of one type of student on campus, and I did not intentionally overlook you. On our list, you will be, “F”.
F: Two days after I posted a very thorough and comprehensive answer to the fake news article in question, Becky finally arrives to restate the original accusation and demand an explanation.
She is typical of the emotionally overwrought person who spouts off without listening. She either cannot read, cannot comprehend, does not care what the truth is, or all of the above.
But she is driven by her feelings and compelled to tell someone off. She has no time or inclination to proofread her comments, and doesn’t even realize what she said actually said until later.
She is a good reminder of why God created us with two ears but only one mouth.
KEVIN PULVER • Oct 11, 2019 at 8:43 am
As I have repeatedly and patiently taught on campus:
God gave us free will because love is impossible without it. God could have programmed us like a computer to only do right. But there wouldn’t be any more virtue in that than someone programming his phone to wake him up with a message saying, “Good morning handsome, I love you.”
A real man wants a relationship; a bride who will choose to love him, not a slave tied up in the basement. And God feels the same way.
The Bible teaches that any of us is potentially capable of sin at any time, because we are all created with free will. It says to be humble, and that, if anyone thinks they stand, take heed lest they fall. But it also says, he is able to keep us from falling. And it emphatically says that, whosover abides in Jesus cannot sin; because in him there is no sin. So in order to sin, one must depart from Jesus.
For example, it’s not impossible for someone to climb Mount Everest. But it’s impossible for them to climb Mount Everest in the house. Because there is no Mount Everest in the house. You can climb it, but you must leave the house to do so.
A sober man can get drunk. But if he gets drunk, he’s not a sober man. A truthful man can lie. But if he lies, he’s not truthful. A virtuous girl can fornicate. But if she fornicates, she’s not virtuous. Jesus said we’d know a tree by its fruit. Of course, this presupposes the necessity of judging- which of course is the most hated virtue of all. And when abandoned, robs someone of the ability to discern good or evil.
This basic and unassailable biblical logic is almost universally rejected by professing Christian students of every campus I’ve ever been on.
In light of these things; here’s a little multiple choice test.
Who would be the more credible witness in a court of law?
Who would you rather make a loan to? Who would you rather work for? Who would you rather employ? Who would you rather marry?
A: One who fears God and believes they will give account to he, “who shall judge the quick and the dead” and furthermore that this judge not only commands holiness; but has indwelt them by the very Spirit of Grace and thus has enabled them to live holy.
B: A professing Christian who says that everyone has to sin every day because we’re only human, nobody is perfect, sin is all the same, and God only loves, and doesn’t hate anything.
C: A professing atheist who is grabbing his genitals, cursing and blaspheming, while gyrating to loudly blaring, very violent and sexually explicit rap music which glorifies sins like rape and murdering police officers. This person says there is no God, says fornication, drunkenness, and all manner of sin is only natural, and lives by the motto, “If it feels good, do it.”
D: Oh wait, now the professing Christian has joined in with the atheist, and is using the F word and blaspheming God. (I wish this didn’t really happen)
E: The minority person crippled by victim mentality. Who (despite athletic and or academic scholarships, and government policies of affirmative action) says he has no opportunity in America because his great grandfather was enslaved by, “YOUR %&$@# PEOPLE” and that it’s impossible for himself to be racist, because his skin is darker than yours.
Because he’s been groomed to be a victim, he’s ignorant of the myriad influential people with more melanin pigment like George Washington Carver who rather than channelling their energy into hatred and discontent, instead worked hard and overcame tremendous odds to “make it”. If you point out such people to him, he’ll simply slander them as, “an Uncle Tom”. (Though he never read the book, and is unaware that is a compliment)
I want to thank the students for their online comments here on this piece.
They are very illustrative, and a microcosm of a typical day on campus.
First you have the profane and blasphemous idiots like James- too cowardly to post his last name, and too intellectually crippled to formulate a rational argument. If his poor Grandmother is not living, at least she is spared knowing about his antics.
Next there are apparent professing Christians like Becky, who if she follows type, is biblically illiterate because she has never read the entire New Testament, and has, “A form of godliness, while denying the power thereof”. (The power of Jesus to actually make someone a, “new creature, old things passed away, behold all things become new”. This type interprets the Bible by their experience rather than interpreting their experience by the Bible. They are ignorant of the, “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. They,“honor God with her lips, but their heart is far from him”. They speak much about grace, but don’t really understand that the Bible says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you. For you are not under law but grace”. They have no idea that, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”
And lastly you have the ones who DIDN’T post. You know they’re out there, but who don’t speak up. Who don’t say anything on campus or when the topic is talked about days afterward. They may think the preacher is extreme, but perhaps they agree with the Bible. But are afraid to be seen as hateful or intolerant. Perhaps when it’s pointed out, they do see the hypocrisy of the students judging the preachers, while saying it’s wrong to judge. But they have never before heard Matthew chapter 7 read and explained in context, and have thus been silenced by the Satanic gag order- “Judge Not!”
Let me end this with the words of the Apostle Peter.
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But it, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…”
Incidentally, regarding rape; I presume that a woman being ogled or catcalled would agree that a physical assault would be even worse. I would staunchly support the death penalty for first time offenders. But for jaywalkers or litterbugs, not so much.
Kevin Pulver
Liberty Ms.
Becky • Oct 10, 2019 at 1:15 pm
It’s really sad to see grown men complaining that college students are exercising their own god given first amendment rights to call out bigotry when they see it.
Every Thursday, there is a group of preachers who come to campus and set up by the Katrina fountain. They preach the gospel and engage with students in civil conversations. I’ve never seen it turn ugly once.
I can only pray that you find the peace and love of Christ in your hearts.
Jonathan Bynum • Oct 10, 2019 at 11:21 am
Slander – the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation.
The clip shows, very clearly, what was said by a member of this ministry. I will agree that the context is not clear, but it seemed that this man was indicating a particular student when speaking, which then targets the message to her. That can be taken as a threat, and a very troubling one at that. While I do agree that you have a right to free speach in preaching your beliefs, you might want to be careful of what you say to people and how you say it. You have free speech, but you can still be held accountable for your words, as all should be. Also, I query you this…if in the act of bringing attention to your cause by using hate speech and verbally assaulting your audience, is that not already damaging to your reputation?
Britt Williams • Oct 10, 2019 at 11:01 am
And yes, Becky, we recognize and honor your right to disagree with both our message and our methods. We are only responding to this article because of the gross misinformation and slander communicated therein.
Britt Williams • Oct 10, 2019 at 10:56 am
Aside from the fact that the article insinuated that we, Consuming Fire Fellowship, by merely preaching the Gospel at SLU are guilty of ‘hatred’, the article also claimed Kevin Pulver, a member of our group, made disparaging and inappropriate, even criminal remarks during our last visit to campus. The article chronicled this slanderous accusation claiming Mr. Pulver threatened a student with words to the effect, “I might as well rape her”. As I will point out briefly, this comment was grossly pulled out of context.
The accusation of hatred from these students is absolutely absurd. We have visited the SLU campus for many, many years and essentially, we do nothing but preach the Gospel, quote the Bible, and passionately reason one on one with those who will dialogue regarding their souls. For nearly a decade and up until last year, a detail from the campus police as well as a former university administrator, Mr. Jim McHodgkins, closely and personally monitored our meetings in the free speech area. As I’m sure they can attest, yes, we zealously condemn popular sins of our culture—sodomy, fornication, drunkenness, rebellion, immodesty, etc—as the Bible does and encourage students to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we have never been violent or threatened any student with violence; never. On the contrary, the students, as they did then and continue to do now, constantly threaten physical violence, seeking to intimidate and bully us into leaving campus or refraining from sharing our message. Frankly, many we engage are utterly irrational, emotionally driven, and generally unable to think critically or hold a rational conversation. Sadly, these students are so dumbed-down and emotionally inept, they simply cannot tolerate anyone disagreeing with their opinions. Also, the accusation that we ‘stalk’ students is likewise completely without merit. Again, we’ve engaged students on a variety of campuses for decades, are extremely educated on both our legal rights and limitations on campus, and have been through many victorious court battles. We know ‘stalking’ is against the law and fully understand we are obligated to remain in the free-speech area when engaging students.
In regards to Kevin Pulver’s comments regarding ‘rape’, the context and what he said in context can be found below in his personal reply…
“The students, were arguing for the inevitability of sin in the life of the believer and declaring that all sin is equal. I told them that all sin is equal only in the fact that all sin is damnable and will send one to hell; and that all sin is forgivable. But all sin is NOT equal in degree or consequences. Jesus talked of men being beaten with many stripes or few stripes according to their level of knowledge and accountability. The Bible talks about a sin that is outside the body, but that a fornicator sins against his own body. It warns there is a sin unto death and doesn’t even ask us to pray for those involved in such. The Bible says these six things does the Lord hate, yea seven are an abomination unto him. And Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery already with her in his heart. But that doesn’t mean the man should say, ‘Well now I might as well rape her’, because that would be a much greater degree of sin, with much greater repercussions.’”
Obviously, Mr. Pulver was not threatening anyone with rape. He was merely validating his point regarding the distinction and severity of different sorts of sin and in actuality, he condemned rather than condoned the very idea of rape. Hence, the accusation is false and a dishonest attempt to smear the character of Mr. Pulver to further an agenda. This is reprehensible.
I have been preaching at various universities all over the U.S., including LSU in Baton Rouge, for over 30 years. Unfortunately, as of late a radical faction of SLU’s student body has become extremely aggressive in an unconstitutional effort to squelch our freedom of speech, even falsely accusing us over and over to do so. What’s interesting is, from a group that so espouses the erroneous concept of universal ‘tolerance’ they can so unashamedly practice such brazen intolerance themselves. This is brazen hypocrisy.
Best regards,
Pastor Britt Williams
Consuming Fire Fellowship
Becky Owlette • Oct 10, 2019 at 9:33 am
The First Amendment only protects you from state persecution for you words and beliefs. You certainly have the right to say whatever you want but it doesn’t stop me from thinking your jerk or even standing up to you!
I pray that these “Christians” will be touched by the one true God and feel the joy and the light and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. In Jesus’ name I pray!
Sarah • Oct 10, 2019 at 7:33 am
Sorry, my autocorrect changed the phrase calling women whores and sluts.
Even autocorrect knows that behavior is wrong.
Sarah • Oct 10, 2019 at 7:32 am
As a former student. Sorry, but how does preaching the word of god translate into calling women whites and sluts for attending college? How does it translate into calling the lgbtq community f*ggots? Also, you were caught on video saying you should just rape a student, so explain.
James • Oct 9, 2019 at 7:35 pm
In the Theodore Activist Cult Group we believe that Theodore got the best head. As established in the bible the TRUE bible the one who got the best head is Theodore. This article is very informational and is a good use and inspiration for students. Us Theodore Activist Cult Group members have been going on southeastern’s campus for 666 years and students are happy to be themselves without raining down fire ministries. Theodore bless the students who were brave enough to speak their minds in the mind boggling article. Shitting fire ministries im so so so so sorry that Simon has corrupted you with his sinful hands.
May Theodore live inside everyone.
KEVIN PULVER • Oct 8, 2019 at 10:46 pm
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad…”
Jesus Christ, Matthew chapter 5.
Of course the operative word there is, “falsely”. There is no, “blessed are ye” if the accusations are true- as has been the case too many times with well known preachers of our day, both Catholic and Protestant.
And sad to say I have seen professing Christians on Facebook say the exact thing that I was accused of in this article. I immediately rebuked them for such stupid statements, and personally think they should be horsewhipped.
To quote the Lion article, “Willis explained that due to the brevity of the video, more evidence is needed to take any substantial legal action”
This is precisely because context will show the accusers to be either pathological liars, or so mentally deficient as to be incapable of rational thought.
The context, and what I said in context, was this: The students, (including many professing Christians who were using the F-word, gyrating to loud, sexually explicit rap music, and generally acting like animals) were arguing for the inevitability of sin in the life of the believer and declaring that all sin is equal.
I told them that all sin is equal only in the fact that all sin is damnable and will send one to hell; and that all sin is forgivable. But all sin is NOT equal in degree or consequences. Jesus talked of men being beaten with many stripes or few stripes according to their level of knowledge and accountability. The Bible talks about a sin that is outside the body, but that a fornicator sins against his own body. It warns there is a sin unto death and doesn’t even ask us to pray for those involved in such.
The Bible says these six things does the Lord hate, yea seven are an abomination unto him. And Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery already with her in his heart. But that doesn’t mean the man should say, “Well now I might as well rape her.” Because that would be a much greater degree of sin, with much greater repercussions.
It is indisputable that both civil courts and God’s Word give varying degrees of punishment for varying degrees of transgression of various laws. It’s utter absurdity to claim otherwise as the students do. But absurdity is their stock in trade.
Nevertheless, this whole Fake News fiasco merely illustrates how badly they need the Jesus we preach to them. I hold no ill will toward any of them, and am committed to tell them the truth in love whether they like it or not. Of course religious hypocrites took Love Incarnate and nailed him to a cross.
Sinners haven’t changed. But their collective conscience is on my side.
Kevin Pulver
Britt Williams • Oct 8, 2019 at 8:34 pm
The accusations of hatred, etc. from these students are absolutely absurd. We have visited the campus for many, many years and essentially we do nothing but preach the gospel. I have been preaching at various universities (including LSU in Baton Rouge) for over 30 years and SLU in the past several years morphed into the most hostile environment to exercise our First Amendment right of freedom of speech. Yes, we condemn popular sins of our culture—sodomy, fornication, drunkenness, immodesty, etc. as the Bible does and encourage students to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we have NEVER been violent or threatened violence to any student. On the contrary, the students constantly threaten violence, seek to intimidate us into silence, are utterly irrational, emotionally driven, and generally unable to think critically or hold a rational conversation. Sadly, these students are so dumbed-down and emotionally inept, they simply cannot stand anyone disagreeing with their opinions.
Pastor Britt Williams
Consuming Fire Fellowship