Group gathers outside of Greater Praise Temple Ministries in Dumfries before service to show support for church and congregation. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/BBc3dpK9mO
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) September 3, 2017
Last week hate-filled notes were left on the front door of Greater praise Temple Ministries in Dumfries. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/KT8iTwnvim
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) September 3, 2017
WASHINGTON — Before Sunday service got underway at a church in Dumfries, Virginia, supporters came out to stand up against whoever left hate-filled notes on the door of the house of worship last week.
Last Sunday morning, members of Greater Praise Temple Ministries on Main Street were horrified when they found messages of racial hate taped to the church’s front door. Church Pastor William Thompson says it was his wife and others who found the notes on the door since he was in the hospital.
“When they came up on the porch, it was a sign up on it. It was a hate crime sign,” said Thompson. “People had called us certain names, swastika and everything.”
Thompson was heartened to see the supporters at his church.
“Just to see the support of those around us, that makes us feel good,” he said. “We’re not all by ourselves.”
Gene Rossi drove from Alexandria to show his support. He ran in the June Democratic primary for Virginia Lt. Governor but lost. He says it’s important for people to know that what happened at this church is not representative of what people in Virginia feel.
“I think what happened in Charlottesville was a wake-up call for everybody in the state, if not the country, that there is hate out there and it’s growing,” said Rossi. “It’s becoming more emboldened and the only way to defeat hate is with love, compassion and understanding.”
Thompson said the police are also supporting the church 100 percent.
Prince William County Police Chief Barry Barnard was one of the church visitors showing comfort toward those affected.
“(It’s) definitely a message of hate and we’re not going to tolerate that in Prince William County,” said Barnard, referring to the notes found on the door.
He said the case is a very high priority and is being rigorously investigated. The chief said the notes were probably put on the door last week, probably Saturday night into Sunday.
The pastor’s niece, Amber Brown, said that many people don’t know that Greater Praise Temple Ministries is a multiracial church. She hopes that more love and kindness comes out of the situation.
“It’s hurtful. This is a very loving church and family,” said Brown. She added that the incident won’t change the way the congregation feels about people. “We love them. Love the hell out of people. That‘s what we do here.”
Thompson said that he hopes others see how the church is filled with love and will want to be a part of it.
“We’re going to praise God regardless of what took place. We’re going to have church. What they did is not going to stop us, not going to shut the church down,” said Thompson. Citing from Jeremiah 31:3 in the Bible, he added, “‘With loving kindness have I drawn thee.’ So that’s what we’re working on.”
