Preachers vs Protesters: Conflicting beliefs lead to debates on campus
A student steps in front of Consuming Fire preacher holding a “Treat People With Kindness” cardboard sign outside of the Student Union.
Preachers from Consuming Fire Fellowship arrived on campus to share their beliefs with the student body on Tuesday, Oct. 26.
The group, which has been a frequent visitor on campus, was met with large protests and debates on whether or not what they were preaching was the best thing for students.
The fellowship has been operating since 1995; they have been preaching by open-air evangelism for over 25 years. Its main base of operations is a church in Woodville, Miss., and the group is dedicated to spreading its theology in multiple states.
“Our main purpose in preaching is to glorify the Lord. We don’t look at the response of the wicked and base our success on it, we come here to bring God glory by having our presence,” said Brandy Stockstill, one of the women of Consuming Fire.
The fellowship stood outside the Student Union holding signs warning a whole laundry list of groups to follow the doctrine and repent or risk being sent to hell. Anyone who does not follow the Bible’s beliefs would be condemned to hell, and needed to repent before it was too late.
The groups mentioned included fornicators, liars, hypocrites, adulterers, Mormons, Buddhists, druggies, racists, idolaters, thieves, murderers, blasphemers, Catholics, Hindus, feminists, suicidal, sodomites, drunkards, revelers, atheists, Muslims, socialists, transgenders and humanists.
While Consuming Fire was on campus for nearly three hours, the response to their presence was quick. Within the first hour, a group of students began to flock around the preachers to share their own beliefs on why the preachers were wrong and should be more accepting.
Several students had their own opinions to share about preachers coming to campus.
“I think it’s crazy. To see stuff like this is sickening,” said freshman Ashton Williams. “Saying their opinions is okay, but I think they take things too far. It’s crazy to think people like this actually exist.”
“I don’t want to pay to come to college if people like this are going to be speaking,” said another student who wished to remain anonymous.
UPD officers were present at the event, on standby in case any physical actions began to take place.
The fellowship left campus once students began to loudly chant “God Loves All,” drowning the preachers out so no one could hear them. Cheers rang out as they left, and the crowds dispersed as students returned to their lives on campus.
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Austin O’Brien is an English major with a Communication minor from Marrero, La. He enjoys different types of entertainment from movies to video games...
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Kelsey Jenkins • Nov 16, 2021 at 3:16 pm
I’d like to point out that the people of the Consuming Fire Fellowship are incorrect in how they “preach.” Even as a Christian myself, I am incredibly disappointed and angered by the message that this group brings. Christians are called to love above all else. We are not to bring judgement onto others and point out their flaws. We are to share the love of God. These people push more people away from the church rather than bring them to it. The other preachers that come (the ones that stand on milk crates), I feel, are misunderstood broadly. They bring the message of the Gospel with love rather than the anger brought by Consuming Fire. When he speaks of condemnation, he involves himself. We are ALL sinners. We are ALL in need of a savior, Christian or not. The Consuming Fire give off the feeling that they believe they are “holier than thou” because they are within the Christian faith, which is incorrect.
That is just my thoughts on at least the difference between the groups of preachers that come.
Rose • Nov 9, 2021 at 3:39 pm
I want to know who they think they’re converting like this
TheChaosSystem • Oct 27, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Not to mention the things that they are preaching can traumatize students! I myself have religious trauma and there are these people out here telling them they are going to hell for just being themselves. Also they’ve told students to kill themselves before.
Alyssa-Serenity Luke • Oct 27, 2021 at 3:11 pm
Students were scared to even walk by them. Especially, after the last altercation with the a separate religious group just last week. That’s why I decided to join the students and their protest against the preachers. I didn’t want students or myself to be scared or think of themselves any less because of how these “preachers” were referring to those listed groups as “damned” and how “God hates us”.
We’re here at SLU to get our degrees and ultimately discover who we are as people. We don’t need a group that hateful to hinder our mentality for the day and our days to come, because of the hurtful and terrible things they “preached”.
Chaotic Ice • Oct 27, 2021 at 2:36 pm
I would have to agree with the anonymous person. I come to college to learn and better my career. I did not sign up to southeastern to hear preachings of hate and threats of being sent to hell.
A • Nov 17, 2021 at 10:03 am
I also completely agree!