You might remember Jeanne Assam as the security guard that saved many lives in 2007, as she took down a rampaging gunman bent on destroying those who were a part of the New Life Church.
Unfortunately, according to Assam, the church supposedly doesn’t welcome her now that she has revealed that she’s gay.
If you don’t remember that tragic story, here is a small recount:
On that morning, 24-year-old Matthew Murray shot and killed two New Life parishioners after having murdered two others the night before at a training center for Christian missionaries in Arvada. Heavily armed, Murray would have killed many more at New Life, had it not been for Assam, who was working as a volunteer security guard.
Assam was outgunned but undeterred. She fired repeatedly at Murray, wounding him and pinning him down. He then shot himself.
So incredibly brave. She had also been a member of the church she was defending.
And then, she came out as gay, and claims the church told her this:
Thanks for saving our lives, but please leave now, because we don’t like what you stand for.
If that’s true, it is so so sad. But the church tells a different story:
“Absolutely untrue,” said Boyd. “We welcome everyone at New Life. We would never tell someone to leave because of their sexual orientation. Jeanne will always be a hero at New Life.”
So what’s true?
We can def see the church not accepting her and her orientation because in 2006 Pastor Ted Haggard left the church on the grounds that he’d had a relationship with a male escort.
She has done so much physically for them, and now she can do so much for the gay community as a role model.
It would be a huge asset to have her as part of your congregation for many reasons!
Jeanne, we respect everything you’ve done and stand for! We’re hoping you’re accepted no matter what!
Thoughts??
[Image via AP Images.]