Is his message tone deaf?
Megachurch Pastor Jack Hibbs interpreted the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as a divine warning. Hibbs, senior and founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California and a member of Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board, urged Trump to take this incident as a sign to seek a deeper relationship with God. During his Sunday sermon, Hibbs noted that while Trump was injured, the shot missed more vital areas, which he took as a message from God urging Trump to “bow the knee” and recognize Jesus Christ as Lord.
In the wake of the assassination attempt, which occurred at a Pennsylvania rally and resulted in one death and two serious injuries, Trump acknowledged on Truth Social that divine intervention spared his life. He expressed gratitude for the prayers and support he received, vowing to remain resilient in faith and defiant against wickedness. He extended sympathy to the victims and their families, emphasizing the importance of unity and strength in the face of such evil acts.
Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, who also served on Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board, shared similar sentiments. He reflected on how a past assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan had renewed Reagan’s faith, hoping for a similar spiritual renewal for Trump. Laurie also condemned the increasing hostility and inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse, which he suggested could have motivated the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to commit the act.
Laurie announced his upcoming sermon at the 35th annual Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium, where he anticipates many will turn to Jesus. He expressed gratitude for Trump’s survival and mourned the loss of Corey Comperatore, who died protecting his family during the attack. Laurie called for healing for the injured and comfort for all affected, urging Americans to reduce divisive rhetoric and seek God’s guidance during these challenging times.