A Tennessee pastor is encouraging men in his congregation to “get five guns” to protect their families against illegal immigrants, adding, “When they start coming in here, they’re going to pay for it with their lives. . . . I sure hope they’re prepared for eternity.”
The pastor—Mike McClung of Lionheart Restoration Ministries in Maryville, Tennessee—backed up his violent rhetoric by asserting that illegal immigrants have been brought into the U.S. for a purpose. That purpose is to “take the next election” and to “bring chaos and death,” he claims.
“Until we see a manifestation of the transforming grace and glory of God, you really need to protect yourself and your family,” McClung added. “You’re actually saying that in church? Yes. You mean I should go out and get a gun? No, go out and get five, and make sure every member of your family is armed, and they know how to use it.”
From his social media accounts, McClung appears to have Christian nationalism leanings. He republishes posts from Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk, an outspoken Christian nationalist. McClung also mentioned Kirk in his sermon last Sunday.
McClung also employs Christian language to defend his far-right views.
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“Right now, we’re training for eternity,” McClung said. “But at the same time, as head of your house and as pastors, shepherds here—we are commanded by God to protect the sheep, and that includes physically.”
A study by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) revealed that Christian nationalists are about twice as likely as other Americans to believe political violence may be justified. Nearly four in 10 Christian nationalism adherents and one-third of Christian nationalism sympathizers believe political violence may be necessary “because things have gotten so far off track,” the study found.
The study also found that more than half of Christian Nationalists view political struggles “through an apocalyptic lens” and agree “there is a storm coming soon that will sweep away the elites in power and restore the rightful leaders.”
En su sermón, McClung, who claims to have a “strong prophetic gifting,” says that people need to “be in a state of vigilance” because the “shadow of the Most High . . . is not here yet.” He adds, “We’re moving toward that. Until that time where the manifest protection and glory of the Lord is surrounding us, we need to make provision.”
McClung adds that he’d station a congregant on the roof of the church “with his AR if it wouldn’t freak all the neighbors out.”
El Informe Roys reached out to McClung and his church for comment but did not hear back.
McClung made his comments a day after Donald Trump declared at a rally in Wisconsin that removing undocumented immigrants from the United States would be a “bloody story” if he’s reelected. Trump has vowed to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants if he becomes president.
Most supporters of Trump interpreted the former president’s comments as figurative. But opponents claimed the comments were meant to be literal and pointed to Trump’s “bloodbath” comment six months ago.
Though McClung’s rhetoric may be uncharacteristically violent, other evangelicals have expressed negative views of immigrants.
In February, Pastor Ed Young of Second Baptist Church of Houston referred to migrants crossing the U.S. Mexico border as “undesirables,” “garbage,” and “raff.”
And a survey by Lifeway Research published this year found that half of evangelicals view the recent number of immigrants to the U.S. as a drain on economic resources. The study also found that more than a third see the number as a safety threat and a same percentage see them as a threat to law and order.
At the time the study was released, Matthew Soerens, national coordinator of the Evangelical Immigration Table, which funded the study, stated: “It is not surprising that the share of evangelicals who believe that the arrival of immigrants presents an economic challenge or a threat to safety or order has increased, given both very real issues at the US-Mexico border in recent years and the large number of migrants reaching American cities where they are legally barred from working, providing for themselves and contributing economically.
“But it’s also important to note that ‘threat’ and ‘opportunity’ responses are not mutually exclusive. There are many evangelicals who both believe there are economic challenges related to immigration and see the arrival of immigrants as an evangelistic opportunity.”
The recent study found that fewer evangelicals see the increase in immigrants as an opportunity to show love as they did when responding to a similar Lifeway study in 2022. The 2022 study found that 46% of evangelicals saw the number of immigrants coming to the U.S. as an opportunity to show love, but the new study found that only 38% do.
Julie Roys es una reportera de investigación veterana y fundadora de The Roys Report. Anteriormente, también presentó un programa de entrevistas nacional en Moody Radio Network, llamado Up for Debate, y ha trabajado como reportera de televisión para una filial de CBS. Sus artículos han aparecido en numerosas publicaciones periódicas.
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49 Respuestas
Before Christians and their children begin shooting people of a different color, should they first check their immigration status? Do private citizens at gun point have the right to demand another person’s papers?
Are those brown people American citizens? Are they here legally? Are they even a threat?
What kind of gospel do these people really believe in? It’s definitely not the Jesus of the Bible.
In the book of Matthew Jesus is very clear on what one must do to get into heaven. Heal the sick, feed the poor, welcome to stranger, and show compassion for prisoners of the state
You’re right except for the “to get into Heaven” part.
To become Christ-like and part of the Kingdom begins HERE: Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12-13 etc etc
No one said go out and hunt them down. However, we ALL have the right to defend ourselves. If they are attacking people, and they are, whether they are doing it in public or breaking into homes, the people being attacked should be ready and able to defend themselves. If you end up in that situation and want to just let them kill you and your family, that is your perogative. I wish you the best.
Hi Faith. There’s no biblical justification for self defense, especially for Christians. The Christian response for someone wanting to take your life is to lay it down. If you read anything differently in the life of Christ, please share.
If you were in a room where your life was in imminent threat as well as your children or friends and you had a means to neutralize that threat… Biblically, you say there’s no scripture to support protecting your children or saving a life by employing a means of defense?
I have one “father forgive me my trespasses” cause I bout to “sin”
Zap, you are quoting scripture falsely, and I should have been clearer- there’s no biblical justification for doing violence to another person (in this case “shooting”) for any reason, including them trying to take the life of you our your family. The example we have in Christ is to lay down your own life. Get in the way? sure. Try to disarm them? ok. But shooting them has zero foundation in the life of Christ. If you call yourself a Christ follower, or a christian, you best not be shooting anyone.
Not true. Peter had a sword when Jesus was being arrested and cut a man’s ear off who tried to take Jesus. (John 18:10-11) Jesus didn’t tell him to get rid of it just put it back in the sheath and not use it THEN to PROTECT Him since it was time for Him to be arrested and crucified. In fact in the verses just before this He told them to buy a sword. They told Him they had 2 and He said that was enough. Why would Jesus say there is a time to sell your garment and buy a sword if it is wrong to defend yourself. (Luke 22:36&38) The Apostles were never told to defend themselves when being attacked for preaching the Gospel BUT there is plenty of scriptural proof you can DEFEND (not attack others) yourself and your family from harm. There is a STARK biblical difference between the 2. Question: you actually wouldn’t do a thing to protect your loved ones from these illegals (and our own criminals) who are raping and killing American citizens simply because you are a Christian? You would actually stand by while your Mother, sister, daughter is being raped and/or killed? Please study scripture before making blanket statements that aren’t true and could influence others.
“McClung also employs Christian language to defend his far-right views.” but not scripture, because there is none.
Jesus was a peacemaking, neighbor loving, stranger welcoming, ENEMY loving, life-laying-down full picture of God. There is zero room for this kind of fear and hatred toward the other- even if the other is trying to literally kill your family (they’re not). The Jesus response is to love them, serve them, and lay down your life for them.
“but not scripture, because there is none. Jesus was a peacemaking, neighbor loving, stranger welcoming, ENEMY loving, life-laying-down full picture of God. There is zero room for this kind of fear and hatred toward the other- even if the other is trying to literally kill your family (they’re not). The Jesus response is to love them, serve them, and lay down your life for them.”
Where are your scripture references?
MT 10: 34-38
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Another very overused, mostly american, miss-reading of Scripture… Please stop using Holy Scripture to justify the perpetration of violence…
Where did I “justify the perpetration of violence” Mr. Zook?
Pointing out Jesus said He did not come to unite us, is not a call to violence. We have a choice to make in our lives to follow Jesus, to the Father, and that choice will divide us from family, friends, etc …
Being unable to distinguish between a spiritual sword (referenced in Mt 10:34-38), and an earthly one (as Peter is chastised directly by Jesus, for using in the garden: Lk 22:49-51, Jn 18:10-15, Mt 26:51-55 ), is a great example of how our churches are failing to preach the Gospels.
McClung and his Christian nationalist GI Joe cosplayers need to understand that other people have guns too.
Most of these quotes are snippets taken out of context meshed together to shape a narrative.
Pray tell, what is the proper context and narrative?
Have you been to this pastor’s website? Have you watched his videos? What about his blogs? He is terrifying. I pray for his followers to see and hear truth.
That pastor could very well be threatening to harm fellow Christians. Shameful.
to be fair, christians shouldn’t shoot NON-christians either….
😀😄😁🙂😊😇 to this “kiss” response. ( keep it short and simple) I would add but carry a big stick. 😉
Anyone who shows in their words and actions that they do not understand Ephesians 6:12 and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 thru 7) is simply not saved in the true, Colossians 1:13/Ephesians 2:1-3/Acts 26:18 sense of the term.
They are still spiritually blind and in spiritual darkness and not a Christian by definition i.e regenerate (John 1:12-13, Romans 8:9) and a follower (IMITATOR) of Christ.
God is not impressed by titles nor worldly qualifications.
Goodness gracious me. Talk about being earthbound and trying to cover it up with superficial religious rhetoric. Clearly, this does not fit the definition of a Christian pastor, and nor do people collectively nodding their heads to such rhetoric constitute a Christian Church – Body of Christ.
“Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come”
Can anyone in America just call themself a ‘pastor’, or even just call themself ‘Christian’?!
As a Brit, I just feel I see these ‘pastors’ all the time in America, where they seem more a particular political side or whatever rather than a follower of Jesus!
Genuinely, can anyone just call themself a ‘pastor’ and have a church and then just say what they want and people somehow listen to them?!
I think, as a resident in america, observing religious life in my very religious (at least in show) area of the country; that yes – you can do that. I know many, many random start-ups/splits etc that come out of or instigated by exactly what you describe… I have many friends / family who go to churches that were just started by some random ‘on-fire’ guy who is ‘chosen’ or ‘led’ to be the pastor and voila, church (often Big) and pastor. It’s so common, most people don’t think twice about it…
The problem with a sermon like this is that it’s on social media for thousands of others to see. That increases the chances of something bad happening.
Conspiracy theory thinking is dangerous. Will someone try to shoot immigrants because of the falsehoods he is spouting about immigrants stealing our elections? (Remember illegal immigrants can’t vote.)
I tried to find the video from above because someone in the comments suggested it contained snippets taken out of context. I looked for the pastor wearing that same shirt from the video above. While I could not find the above video, I found another wacky video where Pastor McClung stated Dr. Fauci was a demon (also all viruses are demons according to him), and COVID-19 was a bioweapon engineered from HIV among other things. In his view, being injected with the vaccine would cause our immune systems to be destroyed permanently. Again, a very dangerous (and nonsensical) conspiracy theory. See Rumble video from his church on 1/7/24 starting at minute 33. I don’t think links are permitted, so I will refrain from posting it. We should be calling pastors to account for dangerous untruths that could cost lives.
I’ve gotten used to seeing articles here about pastors in Tennessee. Most have been 100s of miles from our little town. I was horrified to discover that this guy’s ministry is 3 miles from our home. The thought he may have a sniper on the roof of his “church” as I drive by at least once a week is terrifying. He urges his followers to shoot immigrants. What will stop him to turn towards believers he considers apostates when they don’t join in his vision to “ build a habitation for God”?
I’m a Canuck. Are there no laws or charges in the U.S.that can be brought when someone makes these threats? Like inciting violence, murder, anarchy? Likely so. Let’s hope he gets charged and shut down real soon.
you have no idea how deep the idolization of our 2nd ammendment (right to bear arms) goes here. it’s delusional. the gun lobby was able to get laws passed that we can’t even study guns as a factor in public health. we can’t sue gun sellers or manufacturers. Guns are our god here, and evangelicals seem hell-bent (literally) on defending that “right” as God given, somehow.
Bonnie, the Free Speech clause of the First Amendment allows for hateful and even what many would consider violent speech. It is almost impossible to prove incitement to violence (Hello, Jan 6!). If this pastor had a meeting and told his congregation to go to a specific place at a specific time to kill specific immigrants, that would be incitement. As for threats, any threat also needs to be specific to be illegal. A general threat isn’t enough (“all immigrants” isn’t enough; a threat against a named immigrant would be).
It may fall into the category of “Terroristic Threats”.
Be careful brother because..there is some reasonable concern,,in the things you have called out..but if they prosicute this pastor today..for things he said.. some day ..they will prosicute pastors..who preach that the LGBT ..life style is a sin..or as of now,,even in parts of Australia they can prosicute,,parents. who try to stop children ,, from getting sex changes..maybe we should practice ..pray for those who curse you
We need to get behind Trump and be bold about what is going on or we won’t have a nation. I commend this pastor for speaking up.
You say Christian nationalist like it’s a bad thing. Study our country’s founding. They were men who feared God and were patriots… willing to die so we could have religious freedom and a constitutional republic.
Wake up. Have eyes to see.
“religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God…”
“I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Christian nationalism is a bad thing for America because our founders specifically wanted religion out of government; they plainly say as much. They were very explicit about it because they had knowledge of how European and Middle-Eastern powers of the state leveraged religion to persecute counter-belief systems that challenged the state. Countries with blood-line rule centered around self-declared God-Kings with the divine right to rule.
Christian nationalism is the anti-thesis of what it means to be American; it is unpatriotic and eats at the core of what this country was founded on.
Also Jefferson in the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli:
“As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion..”
If anyone would have known what the founding was all about, it would be Jefferson.
Kinda like how people want to go around saying the Confederate states left the union over things other than slavery, but go read their secession declarations:
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/declaration-causes-seceding-states
They knew what they were fighting for.
It’s idolatry plain and simple. If you hold the founding of the US to that level, you don’t have a very deep understanding of the Gospel.
Fear, fear, fear, fear, fear
You serve a small, impotent god if you think Trump is “saving” the nation.
Serve God without fear. That’s the better way
Christian nationalism is a cancer and a blight on both the church and in politics. It needs to excised completely. Second, most of the Founders were Deists and Enlightment Rationalists (David Barton myths notwithstanding). Trump wants to shred the Constitution just as much as TEAM BLUE.
This article got picked up by the atheism subreddit and has thousands of upvotes. The pastor sure is doing a great job promoting the Gospel…
Several remarks in the comment section are very disturbing to me. A commenter wants to commend a man who urges his congregation to kill people they perceive to be illegal immigrants. Murder is a direct violation of the 10 commandments; it is a dark and evil viewpoint. We ought to examine ourselves to see if we harbor hatred for people we perceive as ‘other.’
McClung appears to be an adherent of the Replacement Theory. I find the below definition to be helpful in exposing the darkness behind such a view:
In the United States, the populist Great Replacement conspiracy theory holds the view that “political elites” are purposefully seeking to increase the number of racial and religious minorities in an attempt to displace the Christian white American population. Believers in the conspiracy theory have used it as a racist trope in an attempt to advocate anti-immigration policies and dog whistle to xenophobic ideology.
To Rob Frank
You touched on many things, but I agree with what your points. This requires much more elaboration that’s almost impossible in this forum. The one thing that poisoned this large group is that it is infested with NAR, Charismatic and Pentecostals.
A line by Alexander Solzhenitsyn comes to mind:
“…the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.”
Therefore, it’s paramount that we be self-reflective about what we are thinking and saying. I’m pretty sure that Charismatics and Pentecostals don’t have a monopoly on racism. I know many who do not espouse the darkness that McClung does. I know I am committing to self-reflection in this regard.
This pastor is extreme–without a doubt. However, Christians should always be about truth. Regardless whether you sympathize with people pouring into our country unrestricted or you take the position that they are breaking our laws with impunity, we should stop calling them migrants. Non-citizens who enter our country are either legal aliens or illegal aliens. (When a student in the UK in 1974-75 I had to obtain a “legal alien”registration booklet and was required to always carry it. But, I could carry it instead my passport which I could keep locked up.)Those are the accurate terms that would clear up a lot of the sentimentality about this invasion. We should make border impenetrable, enforce the laws and do away with any laws that diminish citizenship. A lot of of our citizens came here the legal way and rightly resent the squatters. This is an invasion spawned by our feckless government over years decades regardless of the party in the White House. They care NOTHING for the rule of law, and care nothing about the responsibilities of citizenship. The real TRUTH: We cannot absorb the multiplied millions that have come in over such a short amount of time. That’s where we the people/our government are irresponsible.
Amen Brother spoken with integrity and truth, bravo !
Let God’s Word be the final say on the matter.
Leviticus 19 v 33 NKJV
“And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him”
I’m surprised McClung hasn’t claimed the Left is implementing the Cloward-Piven Strategy. They’ve given him plenty of evidence.
Reading through all 43 comments in response to Tennessee McClunge’s USA Christian/nationalist get 5 guns sermon, pacifism, non involvement, turn away, ignore, seems the majority stance. A few responders did use common sense mentioning the right to defend oneself or family. Emotion not logic unfortunately prevails in majority of responders. Christian born again Policeman, Soldiers, Security officers, who all carry sidearms, long rifles, stun-guns, are sworn by oath to protect the innocent from the criminal/evil. Then using the logic of most who responded, these people are sinners and should immediately resign their jobs as law enforcement ? Just cower to evil as a “Christians” duty. This in my opinion is a worse offense against God, allowing evil to prevail when you could have stopped it. Leave the guns out and this still holds true not defending the innocent when you could have. Is cowardice a Christian value ?
The founders of the USA..understood clearly,,why the second amendment ..was vital.to the freedom we americans have,,or at least whats left of it. and if any christians do not understand this..I do not know why….I just do not get the reasoning behind that..the writers of the constition ,did this for no good reason at all….and in reguards to this pastor. just becuase he out stepped..the bounderies..of good judgement..that is.to accuse an individual..or a group before they have commited a crime..is bearing false witness.so do not..advocate..throwing away..an important basic constitutonal..right on the basis of such as this if any one ,, whoever they are.,actually intends to harm or murder . then the right to self defense is justified
The Lifeway Research article says that 50% of evangelicals believe that the recent number of immigrants are a drain on economic resources. 37% believe that they are a threat to the safety of citizens and law and order. 28% are a threat to traditional American customs and culture.
Flipping the script, what does “illegal immigration” look like from the perspective of indigenous people of North America? If we could rewind time to centuries past, and take such a poll among Native tribes, I wonder what % would see the influx of “immigrants” as a drain on their resources. What % would consider “immigration” of the past 300 years a threat to their safety, traditions and culture. Maybe we can all empathize with the plight of the forgotten ones, the Native Americans stuck on reservations today. And remember them, if nothing else, at least in prayer. I’m guessing many of us are feeling what their forebears must have felt.
“With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” ~Jesus
There is a reason why the churches are becoming empty. The large churches still draw crowds because people like entertainment. Jesus was from the Middle East and a man of color. Most of the rules/laws/commandments are two thousand years old and are totally outdated. Plus the scriptures have gone thru many languages/cultures/translations and are probably far from the original teachings. Religion builds division and walls. Religion is not the answer…it is the problem. You can learn much from reading letters in this article.