The Relentless Church pastor was invited by Trump to the White House along with other faith leaders to discuss prison reform.
Carl Lentz has come to the defense of Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church[/tweetit], after Gray was under heavy criticism for meeting President Donald Trump to discuss prison reform in America. Gray, along with other African-American faith leaders were invited by Trump to the White House to discuss this serious issue and how to tackle it.
Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Defends John Gray Meeting With Trump[/tweetthis]
Lentz, Pastor of Hillsong Church, New York City, made use of Instagram, where he has more than 600k followers, to share his thoughts on the matter. In a long caption with a picture of him and Gray during a service, he wrote that he was a proud friend of Pastor Gray and that he does not understand why people would criticize him when all everyone wants is that the President makes humanitarian decisions guided by compassion and empathy, and Gray was there to help Trump do exactly that. He adds that Christians do not choose who they influence and lead, but are under orders to always do the right thing. Lentz also said that he knows who Gray really is and wishes that he will “keep on shining.”
Last week, Pastor John Gray was interviewed by Don Lemon on CNN regarding the matter and was questioned by the reputed journalist on why he accepted the President’s invitation considering the detrimental policies affecting African-Americans that come out of the Trump administration. Gray responded that he does not have anything to gain from the meeting and he only wanted to be a voice for so many who are voiceless. When asked if he would meet the President again, Gray said if there are assurances they would meet about the intended conversation, then he would go back again.
The Relentless Church pastor also spoke about the criticisms to his church. He spoke from the pulpit during a service and shared with members how churches can help in the criminal justice reform process. Gray announced that he went not as a politician or any independent party, but as a Christian and a man of God. He also said that he prayed for the President and the country, and if anyone thinks they are above praying for someone they don’t always agree with, then they “don’t have the heart of Christ.”
Tell me why John Gray’s meeting with #Trump is controversial? How shall they hear unless we go? https://t.co/IUJx8PtFRU via @RELEVANT
— Jeff Gallatin ? (@jeffgallatin) August 9, 2018
Come on! https://t.co/6HfsdingxI
— Collin Zweigle (@collinisliving) August 8, 2018