An Arkansas Pastor is under fire for holding a high school football devotional.
Konnor McKay grew up in Waldron, Arkansas. He attended Waldron High School and played on the football team – the Bulldogs.
He entered the ministry and at the age of 21 he became pastor of the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God.
So it was not all that unusual when the head coach of the Waldron High School football team invited the young preacher and former team member to deliver a devotional at a regional summer football camp.
McKay said on “The Todd Starnes Radio Show,” “I was invited to share an encouraging word with the football team. I used scripture and shared a message about teamwork – how to work together in life.”
His remarks were so inspirational that the local newspaper wrote a brief report and published a photograph of the young preacher addressing the players.
But the Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, was not so complimentary of McKay’s remarks.
The group of atheists, agnostics, and free-thinkers fired off a letter to at least one of the schools in attendance at the football camp – accusing the district of an “unconstitutional endorsement of religion.”
First Liberty Institute is representing McKay. They told Starnes their client did not proselytize. He did not hold an altar call on the football field nor did he baptize anyone. It was simply a devotional.
As you might imagine just about the entire state of Arkansas has thrown their support behind the hometown hero.