A CHURCH in eastern Kentucky, US, under fire for banning mixed-race couples has overturned the decision, saying it welcomes all believers.
Two weeks ago Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church in Pike County triggered a storm after voting to ban interracial couples from attending services or participating in church activities.
The vote was prompted when long-time member and daughter of the tiny all-white Appalachian congregation’s secretary, Stella Harville, 24, brought her Zimbabwean fiancé, Ticha Chikuni, 29, to the church.
The couple met while studying at The George Washington University.
Back in June, Harville’s father had been approached by former Pastor, Melvin Thompson and was told his daughter’s boyfriend could no longer attend the church.
In November the vote to completely ban interracial relationships within the church was passed. The passing sparked controversy all over the U.S. for its racist undertones.
However, the church unanimously voted Sunday to lift the ban.
The church is attempting to “accept all people regardless of race, creed or color and to accept everyone into the fellowship of Christ,” said Pastor Stacy Stepp.
Stepp told The Associated Press that the vote by nine people last week was declared null and void after it was determined that new bylaws can't run contrary to local, state or national laws.
He said about 30 people who attended church services voted on a new resolution that welcomes "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."