Religious demonstrators created a spectacle invoking crowds of students outside the University Center, Wednesday and Thursday, holding posters such as “Ask me why you’re going to hell†and using microphones to shout at passersby.
“We rebuke the students because rebuking is loving,†John McGlone, founder of Jesus Preacher Ministries said. “These students don’t have authority figures in their lives to rebuke them, which is what we’re here to do.â€
Jesus Preacher Ministries is an organization that travels across the country preaching what they believe to be the truths of the Bible. Several members from McGlone’s ministry joined him at the University of Memphis’ campus this week, making it the eighth stop on their college campus tour that began in August. “We’re here to lift up the Lord Jesus Christ,†McGlone said.
“What do you think of the Christian extremist group on campus this week?â€
Despite the animosity and outrage Jesus Preacher Ministries sparked during their visit, the free speech zone located in front of the University Center provides a space to demonstrate First Amendment rights. “This is a public institution and they are a public forum. They have the right to request to come on campus and preach,†Courtney Shelton, associate director of conference and event services, said.
Shelton said the group has the right to congregate in a central location. In an email to the school, President M. David Rudd said, “I would like to thank our police officers for their patient and appropriate efforts to safeguard not only our community members, but those offering controversial views on our campus.â€
Rudd said he thinks the demonstrators’ ideas are the types of issues that need to be discussed and debated in a university setting. Several University of Memphis students retaliated against the preachers, while others stood back and watched a scene they said was “humorous.â€
