Church is criticized for controversial billboards

GREENVILLE, NC (WHITE/Gray News) – A church in North Carolina is facing some controversy over the political messages displayed on its digital billboard.

The billboard in front of the People’s Baptist Church in Greenville featured messages about heavily debated topics of importance this election, including immigration and the economy, with one using the term “illegals.”

“It’s disgusting. You are talking about people,” said concerned citizen Jessi Melendez. “People deserve better than that. This church needs to do better.”

Melendez was shocked to see a slew of political messages on the billboard this weekend.

One of the messages read: “Free healthcare for illegal immigrants is on the agenda.”

Another was about the rising costs of rent, eggs and transportation.

Melendez said she found the language used to promote their message on immigration to be dehumanizing and negative toward the Latino community, including herself.

‘You are a church. You are literally a church. You’re supposed to be accepting and hospitable,” Melendez said. “I’m Puerto Rican, so there’s this assumption that, ‘Oh, I’m friends with a Latina,’ or, ‘This person is part of this, so it’s okay.’ No. No, that is not the case.”

Below federal law501(c)(3) organizations, including churches and charities, cannot engage in political campaign activities, but they may participate in a limited amount of lobbying on voting measures.

Pastor Tim Butler said the messages were posted to encourage voters to investigate some of the pressing issues on the ballot.

“This is going to impact our communities, this election, so all of these issues are truthfully on the ballot for American voters and religious voters this year,” Butler said.

Melendez said using the term “illegal” is harmful and teaches others to hate and blame others.

Sandy Moyer, a church member, says she understands how the messages could cause concern, but she believes the intent was to spark conversation, not controversy.

“At the end of the day, that’s what politics is, right? These are things that impact the community,” Moyer said. “We should be having those conversations everywhere. That is our First Amendment right as Americans. We need to be able to talk about problems.”

When asked why the term “illegal” was used, Moyer said, “If a crime has been committed, it is considered illegal.

“I don’t think the spirit behind that was to offend any particular demographic,” Moyer said. “It stated the terms as they are.”

The messages have now been removed from the board.

Melendez says she has contacted the church about the messages, but has not yet heard back from leadership.

The church says its messages are factual and legal to promote.