A family in Tampa, Fl. has gone public about their experience with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church after the pastor canceled their son’s funeral because he was gay.
The pastor, T.W. Jenkins, stood by his decision to block the service for 42-year-old Julion Evans.
Jenkins said his church preaches against gay marriage.
“Based on our preaching of the scripture, we would have been in error to allow the service in our church,” Jenkins said. “I’m not trying to condemn anyone’s lifestyle, but at the same time, I am a man of God, and I have to stand up for my principles.”
Julie Atwood, Evans’ mother, got a call from Jenkins about the cancellation just a day before the funeral was to be held.
“It was devastating,” she said. “I did feel like he was being denied the dignity of death.”
Evans’ husband, Kendall Capers, says the pair were partners for 17 years and married last year in Maryland. Evans died at home after a 4-year battle with a rare illness called Amyloidosis, which destroys organs in the body.
He says the obituary named him as “husband,” and that their marriage was no secret.
“Everyone who knew us knew about our relationship,” he said. “We didn’t keep secrets.”
The Atwoods have a storied past with the church — Evans’ mother was baptized at the church as a child and several of her family members still attend. Still, Jenkins, who is Atwood’s current pastor, would not head the service. Because of the late change in plans, Evans’ family scrambled to make new arrangements.
They were unable to notify everyone, though, and some mourners showed up at the church and missed the funeral.
Capers said that was the worst part. He wanted the funeral held in a church but said he would have understood the church’s position. But to cancel during his husband’s wake, he said, was “disrespectful” and “wrong.”
“This is 2014, this is not the 60s or the 70s,” Capers said. “So at the end of the day I just want his wrong-doing to be exposed.”
Atwood eventually found a venue that would host her son’s funeral…and one that apparently has a pastor who doesn’t mind being on the right side of history.
SOURCE: WFLA | PHOTO CREDIT: Handout
