Lovingway United Pentecostal Church

Is “Lovingway” an ironic name for a church? The Lovingway United Pentecostal Church in Denver certainly sparked controversy in 2004. A sign appeared on its prominent roadside marquee. It declared, “Jews killed the Lord Jesus. Settled!” This provocative message coincided with the release of Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion of the Christ.” The film had ignited concerns about potential anti-Semitism. The sign at Lovingway United Pentecostal Church seemed to pour fuel on that fire. The local Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged Pastor Maurice Gordon to remove the sign. Gordon refused, citing his right to quote the Bible. He stood firm, despite the offense caused to the Jewish community. The ADL’s Bruce DeBoskey expressed his concern, hoping public reaction would prompt Gordon to reconsider. A protest rally quickly formed outside the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church, drawing both Jewish and Christian participants. Some 200 people gathered to voice their disapproval of the sign’s message. Interestingly, several Jewish organizations released a statement discouraging the rally. They feared it would create a media spectacle and not be in the best interest of the Jewish community. They emphasized that most local Christian leaders did not share the sentiment expressed on Lovingway’s sign. The controversy drew widespread condemnation. The Colorado Council of Churches publicly denounced the sign, highlighting the irony of a church named “Lovingway” promoting such division. The Catholic Archdiocese of Denver also expressed its concern, calling the sign offensive and disturbing. Eventually, the pressure mounted. A local resident, Ami Ship, took matters into her own hands. She climbed a ladder and removed the word “Jew” from the sign. Later, the church altered the message to a more conciliatory tone. The new message read, “G-d so loved the world that he gave . . . and he’s still giving.” The saga concluded with a final message on the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church sign. It read, “I am deeply sorry for offending the Jewish people whom I love. Brother Gordon.” This incident at Lovingway United Pentecostal Church serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of interfaith dialogue.