This one is a guest post, written by my former co-pastor, Kathryn Hunter. Pretty proud of her pebble throwing.

This past weekend Nebo Crossing, a large church in Marion, NC hosted the North Carolina Faith and Freedom Coalition. 

The speakers and presenters list included Kristi Noem (She was a no show), Michael Whatley (Trump’s handpicked candidate for US Senator from NC); Dr. Ben Carson; a variety of Fox News and Newsmax personalities, Turning Point speakers, Support Israel groups; and many Republican candidates in mid-term NC races. They had the audacity to call it “The Salt and Light Conference.” 

As one who has lived my life with a desire to follow Jesus Christ, and to be salt and light in the world, I was quite frankly, repulsed. I signed up to join the protestors. 

We were a very small group, no more than ten at any given time, and with many different agendas; climate control, healthcare, budget, vote for the Democrats, etc. I appeared to be the only one motivated by the desire to stand against the co-opting of Jesus. 

My signs read:  “Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbor;’” “Choose Kindness;” and “Jesus said, ‘Feed the Hungry.’” In addition to one slightly more political, “Stop Starving the Palestinians.”

I went to both days of the event. When I got there Saturday,  the first sight, in the church parking lot, was a large Vote for Trump bus covered with anti-abortion messages and pictures of fetuses. And of course, a huge American flag flying above it. That afternoon, most of the car traffic passing us were large, black,  SUVs with tinted windows, and government tags. The kind of cars driven only by the rich.

Sunday was an open- to -the- public worship service. Before then, all events required tickets, so, the feel was different. It seemed that most were regular church attendees and the cars that passed were med-sized SUVs and trucks with Jesus stickers, mixed with Trump stickers. Most folks waved and smiled at us. They wanted us to know that Jesus loved (even) us. They offered us water and invited us to come to church. 

For the most part, we were treated politely, even by the self-professed MAGA woman who tried to save us and almost gagged when she read my t-shirt that  said, “Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.” 

She also felt it necessary to tell me that pastors with MDivs are morons. Hard not to take that personally since I’m a pastor and have a Master of Divinity degree. 

One, very kind woman, with large American flag earrings, came and offered us beaded bracelets. The one she gave me says  “JOY.” We had a good conversation, and her faith in Jesus is real and deep. As I told her, you could see the Spirit shining through her. 

My heart breaks  for those whose faith is being abused and manipulated for others’ hunger for power and gain. She most likely does not know that her church is a White Christian Nationalist Church, or even what that is. 

Not all the actions were kind. We were called “Baby Killers.” Some waved fists and yelled “Power to Israel.” Some rev’ed their trucks and blew past us as we sat two feet from the road. I did not feel threatened, but the police were searching everyone who entered the church for weapons, so evidently they felt threatened

I feel like I tossed a very tiny pebble into a very large pond. Perhaps its ripples will have some effect on others. I pray so. But, for me it was the toss that was important. As has been said by others when asked why they protest – “it will most likely not change them, but I do it so they do not change me.”  

If you are feeling worried, anxious, or fearful about what is happening in our country, I invite you to toss some pebbles – you will feel better.