A San Antonio pastor and his church say the pastor paused his sermon to hug a homeless man he had invited on stage after a homeless man started shouting obscenities during a sermon on “The Parable of the Lost Sheep.” He has received widespread praise for pledging his support. Pastor Ed Newton of Community Bible Church Luke chapter 15 on April 7th sermon When a homeless man loudly yelled “bull,” the pastor and the audience laughed, seemingly searching for the right response. But the situation became more serious when the homeless man said he had been contemplating suicide until a parishioner invited him to church that morning.
A video of the exchange has been viewed more than 1 million times on X (formerly Twitter).
Background: I’m Pastor Ed Newton of CBC Church in San Antonio, Texas. This event was not staged and took place in real time. Pastor Ed knew the homeless man’s name when he shouted profanities because it was the second time he asked for his name.
— Lion of Judah (@LibertyMutual8) May 9, 2024
“Let’s do something different,” Newton said, stopping his sermon, sitting on the podium, and inviting parishioner Michael to the front.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a story told by Jesus in which a shepherd leaves his 99 sheep behind to search for the one lost sheep.
Michael told Newton that he had attended an early morning service that morning and was inspired by the sermon to be a light for Christ wherever he went. On his way home, he saw a group of homeless people, remembered the message of his sermon, and bought them food. He gave it to a homeless man named Anthony.
“Then we started talking and he started telling me about his life and the hardships he’s been through and how bad things are now,” Michael said.
Anthony learned that Michael had gone to church that morning and asked him to take him. Michael did. (Community Bible Church holds multiple Sunday services.)
“Michael preached a message,” Newton told the audience, to long applause.
Newton hugged Anthony while the three continued their discussion on stage.
“I almost killed myself by jumping out in front of a truck. He saved my life,” Anthony said of Michael.
While Newton spoke, church members approached the stage one by one and placed money in a pile for Anthony.
“I love you. … God sees you,” Newton told Anthony, fighting back tears as they hugged again.
Afterward, the pastor told the audience, “Lacking him with a lot of money and putting him back on the street is not what we’re doing.”
“What we’re trying to do is help Anthony get back on his feet,” Newton said. “We have a responsibility.”
The church has a duty to be the hands and feet of Christ, he added.
“What’s the point in our songs and preaching,” he asked, “if we don’t welcome the person into our home and give him hope?” … [Michael] I got out of here and practiced what I preached. ”
Photo credit: Screenshot from ©community bible church
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years.His story is published below baptist press, Christianity Today, christian post, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star And that Knoxville News Sentinel.
