Church Leaders Urge Calm and Resilience in Sermons Following Trump’s Accident
Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump’s accident, pastors across the U.S. addressed their congregations on Sunday, with many framing the incident as a wake-up call. At Visalia Christian Reformed Church in California, Pastor Joel Renkema likened the accident to a trumpet blast, calling it a warning for the nation to stop “hating and demonizing our opponents.” He urged listeners to heed this message and reflect on the state of political discourse.
The attack on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which was suspected to be an assassination attempt, shocked the nation. Despite his lack of strong religious ties, Trump had become a messiah-like figure for many right-wing Christians, with some viewing the attack as an assault on their faith. Church leaders responded by calling for unity and calm, with Rev. Kris Stubna of St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh condemning the violence.
Responses to the incident varied widely depending on location, denomination, and beliefs. Some evangelical leaders alluded to “spiritual warfare” and “enemies,” while others, particularly within the New Apostolic Reformation movement, directly mentioned Trump and framed the event as a battle against his opponents.
