A church near the Kansas-Missouri state line is causing a stir by “blessing” some of its members with guns for Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.
The River Church of Kansas City is located in Lenexa, Kansas just outside of Kansas City. It describes itself as a “spirit-filled church for the hungry, the thirsty, and the broken” on its website.
In June, the church shared photos on its Facebook page celebrating a member who won a raffle for an AR-15 rifle for Father’s Day — a prize worth up to $1,200.
Although the River Church had fewer than 100 members at the time of the giveaway, the Facebook post received almost 2,500 comments and close to 2,000 shares.
The idea for the giveaway came from the church’s young pastor, Christopher Zehner.
“I was thinking about Father’s Day because we’ve got a lot of men in the church who enjoy shooting guns,” Zehner told Scripps News Kansas City. “I thought, ‘Let’s give away a gun to the church and allow some of the men to get involved, and let’s make it a big, fun event.’”
The River Church of Kansas City
For the Fourth of July, the church leaders gave away three more guns: A shotgun and two handguns.
“A gun is a blessing because we have the Second Amendment in America, and we are free Americans,” Zehner stated. “We have the right to bear arms.”
When asked about the negative reactions on Facebook, Zehner defended the decision.
Comments included:
- “Nothing says faith over fear, like worshipping firearms.”
- “A church that upholds the Constitution of the USA. Just like Jesus intended.”
- “People are leaving the church like never before, and you all wonder why.”
Zehner acknowledged the criticisms but emphasized his belief in upholding American values.
The River Church of Kansas City
Zehner noted an increase in attendance after the gun giveaway and hinted at the possibility of future similar events.
The church ensured all recipients underwent background checks and expressed plans to bless people with even larger gifts in the future.
Zehner mentioned the church’s intention to hold a gun safety course for its members to promote responsible firearm ownership.
Despite the mixed reactions, the River Church remains steadfast in its beliefs.
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Following the gun giveaway, the church faced threats but took precautions to ensure safety at their services.
Additionally, plans for future giveaways, including guns, were discussed.
This article was originally published by Taylor Hemness on Scripps News Kansas City.
