Joplin, Missouri – This large southern city of 174,000 residents seems to love guns. At least that is the indication that members of Ignite Church are giving off. The local pastor had a Father’s Day raffle for a Smith & Wesson AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a Black Grain AR-15 version.
The latter is considered a quality rifle and the former a lower-grade weapon. Pastor Heath Mooneyham recorded a video he later posted to YouTube trying to gin up interest in purchasing raffle tickets. He stated that both weapons are capable of taking out a zombie albeit the former is good only for weak zombies. The latter is the rifle of choice for serious post-Zombie apocalyptic use.
The pastor made it clear he views the giveaway of the rifles as loss-leaders to bring souls to the Lord and Savior of all. He stated that he’d gladly give away 1,000 weapons if that is what it would take to bring souls unto Jesus.
It certainly adds a new meaning to the term “Christian soldier”. Needless to say, his unique proselyting approach has offended gun-control advocates. Some people cited the passage of Isaiah referring to men beating their swords into plow shears seemingly forgetting that event was one which will take place after the return of the God of Israel.
Sadly, it certainly isn’t the world people live in today – just take a stroll to Chicago’s south side for proof. Others took a more stereotypical approach by likening the church to a Muslim mosque. Others simply viewed the raffle drawing as nutty.