A Baptist church in Frankfort, Ky., turned down a much-needed federal grant for facilities repairs because the award mandated cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
First Baptist Church on St. Clair was awarded up to $200,000 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after sustaining about $1.2 million in flooding damage in April.
Amanda Smith
But despite the need, the congregation affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship voted to reject the award because it is a welcoming and affirming church and because proof of citizenship is not required for worship or by the clothes closet and medical clinic operating on its property, Co-Pastor Amanda Smith said.
“No, we were definitely not going to help them conduct raids on the people who come into this church on a weekly basis,” she said. “The vote wasn’t unanimous, but most felt it would be limiting to our ministry if we took that money.”
Nor was the congregation going to comply with additional stipulations barring it from having or implementing DEI policies, Co-Pastor Justin Sizemore said.
“They also wanted us to cut ties with any organizations or vendors with DEI policies or that serve immigrants in any way,” he said. “Our medical clinic, which is an independent organization, and the clothing closet do not require documentation.”
The situation stemmed from massive flooding along the Kentucky River caused by violent storms that killed dozens of people across the region in early April.
Located adjacent to the river, First Baptist sustained 8 inches of water in its sanctuary building, 16 inches in another building and 8 feet of water in its third structure. The congregation did not return to onsite worship until June 1.
Justin Sizemore
“Personally, it kind of took my breath away. I was really frustrated and upset because I know how much $200,000 would have helped with our repairs. We had flood insurance, but our damage far exceeded that,” Sizemore said.
Separately, the church accepted a Small Business Administration loan of up to $300,000 because it did not come with DHS immigration and DEI stipulations, Sizemore added.
He said that the congregation’s statement of welcome would have landed it in hot water with the feds: “First Baptist Church on Saint Clair, a community that seeks to follow Christ, is committed to the inclusion and affirmation of all people, notwithstanding an individual’s race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, age, physical or mental ability, marital or familial status, economic circumstance, or place of origin.”
Congregations across the country have faced similar dilemmas in applying for other federal grants, including a program designed to help houses of worship enhance security measures.
“Let us be clear with our community members, our neighbors, our elected officials and the public: We are committed to upholding our communal values and will not comply with these repressive conditions,” 70 faith groups and 138 religious leaders said in a public letter issued to DHS in August.
Their complaint was about revised conditions to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program requiring faith groups to provide surveillance of immigrants, to eliminate DEI practices and to end support for Palestinian rights.
“Some of our organizations have applied for and received funding from NSGP previously; others have chosen not to engage with this program. We represent many denominations, backgrounds and political perspectives. Nonetheless, we are unified in refusing to capitulate to conditions that would require us to sacrifice the safety and dignity of our community members, neighbors and partners in order to receive funding.”
While the decision to opt out of the FEMA grant was not an easy one for First Baptist, it was one arrived at with conviction, Smith said.
“I was impressed by how calm our congregation has been about it and how gently they made that decision. It was not a business meeting with yelling and shouting. People stated both sides and with little anxiety given the situation with our finances.”