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Pastor Matt
Pastor Matt

Baptist church will give away AR-15s, flamethrowers at July 2023 revival



Published:

Grace Baptist Church to Raffle Off Flamethrower

TROY, N.Y. A Baptist church in Troy is planning to raffle off a flamethrower during a revival this summer.

Grace Baptist Church announced the giveaway on its Facebook page on Monday. The church said it will raffle off the flamethrower on July 3 and 4 during its annual revival. Guest speakers include Tony Hudson and Bob Gray DrSr.

The church said the flamethrower is a "powerful tool" that can be used for "self-defense, hunting, and other purposes."

The giveaway has drawn criticism from some local residents.

"I'm shocked that a church would be giving away a flamethrower," said one resident. "It's just irresponsible."

Another resident said the giveaway is "tone-deaf" given the recent mass shootings in the United States.

"It's just not the time or place for this," the resident said.

The church's pastor, John Koletas, defended the giveaway, saying it is simply a way for the church to "reach out to the community."

"We're not trying to start a fire," Koletas said. "We're just trying to have some fun."

The flamethrower giveaway is not the first time Grace Baptist Church has made headlines. In 2014, the church raffled off an AR-15 rifle. The giveaway drew international attention and led to protests outside the church.

The church has also been criticized for its pastor's inflammatory rhetoric. Koletas has made statements that attack Black people, Jews, and Muslims.

Despite the controversy, Grace Baptist Church remains a popular destination for many people in Troy. The church has a large congregation and its revivals are always well-attended.

It remains to be seen whether the flamethrower giveaway will be as popular as the AR-15 raffle. But one thing is for sure: it is sure to generate plenty of discussion.

http://gbctroyny.com/




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I can't believe Tony Hutson is going so low as to even be a part of this type of thing. It seems more like something Mr. Locke would be promoting or participating in. Just my humble opinion.

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It says he's attacked black people, Jews and Muslims. I doubt it. Other than calling them sinners like everyone else.

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6 hours ago, SureWord said:

It says he's attacked black people, Jews and Muslims. I doubt it. Other than calling them sinners like everyone else.

Yeah, I'll have to see what the news articles are reporting as "attacking"

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First of all; isn't "raffling" a form of gambling? Why do that at a Bible believing church. And what message does all this send to the World?  (I have nothing against the weapons BTW)

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4 minutes ago, heartstrings said:

First of all; isn't "raffling" a form of gambling? Why do that at a Bible believing church. And what message does all this send to the World?  (I have nothing against the weapons BTW)

I'm all for the weapons... but I just don't see doing this kind of thing in a church. It sends the wrong message to the unsaved, and could affect the growth of young believers.

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6 minutes ago, TheGloryLand said:

Who really wants a  flamethrower?  I’ll take a boatload of watermelon ? 

MEEE!!!!?‍♂️

I have one of those propane-powered thingies. Good for burning weeds and starting bonfires. Not really a weapon, per se, although it would hurt really bad if it hit somebody.. https://www.amazon.com/Flame-King-YSN320Ka-Propane-Burner/dp/B09PD9BGK6/ref=asc_df_B09PD9BGK6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563593981914&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10813134964080136888&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011629&hvtargid=pla-1599443882341&psc=1

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I am both concerned with this and yet intrigued, I feel as if it would be fine if they had a gathering somewhere other than church for that portion of the proceedings.

Edited by Landmarkheritage

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I just couldn't pass this by any longer.

1st, as mentioned above, raffles are gambling. Last I checked that was only okay for Catholics.

Then there's the quote:

"The church said the flamethrower is a "powerful tool" that can be used for "self-defense, hunting, and other purposes."

Really?

Self-defense? The only place this would be practical would be in your home and the resultant property damage would pretty much take away the practicality.

Hunting? Hunting what? That comment was just plain stupid; which is what this raffle is. 

A church is supposed to be a place that reaches out to the community with the Gospel and feeds those with an ear to hear. Firearms and flamethrowers just don't resonate as an adjunct to Jesus Christ. Given the current spiritual and political environment there are many that just salivate at stories like this to discredit Christianity. 

Stupidity like this does nothing but hinder the Gospel from being received. Just a few more doors slammed in the face of a door-knocker. Sad.

 

Edited by Napsterdad

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31 minutes ago, Napsterdad said:

I just couldn't pass this by any longer.

1st, as mentioned above, raffles are gambling. Last I checked that was only okay for Catholics.

Then there's the quote:

"The church said the flamethrower is a "powerful tool" that can be used for "self-defense, hunting, and other purposes."

Really?

Self-defense? The only place this would be practical would be in your home and the resultant property damage would pretty much take away the practicality.

Hunting? Hunting what? That comment was just plain stupid; which is what this raffle is. 

A church is supposed to be a place that reaches out to the community with the Gospel and feeds those with an ear to hear. Firearms and flamethrowers just don't resonate as an adjunct to Jesus Christ. Given the current spiritual and political environment there are many that just salivate at stories like this to discredit Christianity. 

Stupidity like this does nothing but hinder the Gospel from being received. Just a few more doors slammed in the face of a door-knocker. Sad.

 

I agree! This has no place in the church house. 

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