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'Homosexuals are welcomed in my church' - Bishop Ishmeal P. Charles

- says they must repent first
Bishop Ishmeal Charles of the New Testament Church of God (right) and his wife Lady Patricia Charles. The Bishop welcomes everyone in his church including homosexuals but they must repent first. Photo: Internet Source
Pastor Charles said the Church should not be holding up placards against homosexuals since they were not born that way. Photo: Internet Sourced
Pastor Charles said the Church should not be holding up placards against homosexuals since they were not born that way. Photo: Internet Sourced
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Bringing the curtains down on a month of ministry dedicated to the youths, Bishop of the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre, Ishmeal P. Charles told his congregation that Homosexual are welcomed in his church.

Bishop Charles is one of the few ministers of the Gospel in the Virgin Islands that carries an unblemished image as a man of God because of his uncompromised position as a minister of the Gospel, his "realness" and forever public speaking of his dedication to the principles of the Holy Bible.

Suffice to say he has been ridiculed for "calling jack, jack" and his wife Lady Patricia Charles has also been interpreted as being rude and unfriendly to some people because of her “no-nonsense style".

However, when Bishop Charles message to his church located in Baugher's Bay Tortola during the usual Sunday morning service took a sudden twist this news site could now do without hitting the record button to their live feed as he belched out, "No one was born homosexual, you were not born lesbians".

Church should not 'go down with placards' against homosexuals

The Bishop went on to tell the congregation after referring to scriptures in the book of Romans, "Listen to Bishop Charles, say what you want to say, homosexuals are welcomed in this church lesbians are welcomed in this church like any sinner but they must repent from their sins." 

Adding that the church should not "Go down town with placards against them" he recalled standing at the dock on or going to St Thomas,  "To my shock I see two ladies walk up and the kissed each other, they tongue kissed, my blood run cold, I died and  came back, in front of everybody. So don't act like it is new, oh no it's not new."

He equated the sin of homosexuality to that of any other sin of which persons are required to repent and stop doing including lying, stealing, fornication and adultery as he spoke of what he characterize as the practical, positive and actual truths.

61 Responses to “'Homosexuals are welcomed in my church' - Bishop Ishmeal P. Charles”

  • softening up (31/07/2017, 08:42) Like (23) Dislike (11) Reply
    That is an abomination according to the bible
    • Open your eyes ppl (31/07/2017, 09:16) Like (94) Dislike (5) Reply
      How else will you win them to Christ if you continue to separate from them? I agree with Bishop Charles. God hates THE SIN but he loves the sinner. Just don't let them have positions of leadership but let them come, sit, learn the word and be delivered. Didn't Christ mingle with publicans and sinners....he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.......
      • True (31/07/2017, 11:24) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
        True.............................fornication and adultery, stealing and lying are all sin.
      • Reader (31/07/2017, 13:52) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
        So right. Like the tendancy here in the BVI, to stigmatize people based on where they are from (e.g. "Born here"/ "BVIslander" or "Island people") (and I was born right here), it is a sin to label, look down on or discriminate someone on the basis of their life style choice. As the writer above said, don't put them in positions except they have been (converted) (which IS INDEED POSSIBLE). I once came across a book on a pastor who specialized in the conversion of lesbians and homosexuals. The Son of Man came to seek and to save "the lost", not self-righteous people.
    • YOUR CHURCH? (01/08/2017, 11:42) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      The Bishop is right they could come to his congregation or his building but to enter into the true Church ( a spiritual building not own by man or made by his hands, Jesus') all sins including those of homosexuality, must be confessed forgiven by Christ and forsaken. You cannot enter his Church (Christ) practicing sin.
    • You guys are a joke (01/08/2017, 22:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Read your book and see what else it doesnt like, then see what it does like>
      War, Ethnic cleansing, Genocide, Slavery, Cruelty to children, Mass Murder, prejudice against women, incest to name a few. Read your book and then quote it!
  • member (31/07/2017, 08:44) Like (11) Dislike (77) Reply
    If they come in I gone
    • wow (31/07/2017, 10:06) Like (39) Dislike (7) Reply
      @member, Are you better than anyone else? Stop your nonsense.
      • dem (01/08/2017, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        work and worship with them all the time, they just want it out in the open to become an acceptable acceptance of society.
    • A sinner (31/07/2017, 12:20) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
      Homosexuality is a sin just as stealing and hating your brother or sister. Are you without sin 'member?' If Jesus comes now would you be ready to go with him?
      • TOL (31/07/2017, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
        Yes indeed it's a sin like other sins, but do you go to your church and announce that you will continue sinning or you go to repent? They are welcomed if they come to repent from committing this sin!!!!
      • Remnant (03/08/2017, 10:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Read your bible again HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION!!!
        THERE IS A DIFFERENCE .
    • Be gone (31/07/2017, 12:24) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      Be gone then... God said to love others as he loves us... the church is not for perfect folk like you.. so go so people who really need him can come and be saved. He who is without sin cast the first stone... from a member too
    • Dummy (31/07/2017, 21:12) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      u obviously missed english class in school and cannot read....he is welcoming them to repent of there sins not to just be apart of the church...stupidity should be a sin
    • All have sin (31/07/2017, 22:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Judge not , be your brother's keeper and do not cast stones.Seems like you have no sins and cannot mingle with the sinners! The wheat and tear shall grow together. Instead of praying for and with them and at the same time trying to win them for the Lord you talking about leaving. You are so holy that you NO earthly good
    • @member (01/08/2017, 17:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yeah right back where you belong in the pit of hell where all deceivers belong. Are you any better? If you are cast the first stone
  • yuk (31/07/2017, 08:45) Like (12) Dislike (29) Reply
    That politician and his friend who are always going at it should become members
  • THINK! (31/07/2017, 08:51) Like (40) Dislike (1) Reply
    God don't like adultry nor fornacation and the church full. God loves us and wants all of us to change our ways regardless of the sin.
  • gay M (31/07/2017, 08:58) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    They already in government so why not the church
  • Just saying (31/07/2017, 09:12) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
    My understanding is that the bishop is saying they are welcome to come to church there as a place of refuge for change not that he condoning the practice if they are shunned and ridiculed how and where would they go to be thought about Gods grace and forgiveness for you who wants to leave if they come there I guess your most holy and have no sin so you should go straight to heaven now no need to repent for anything since you already passing judgments.hmmmmmm
  • just asking... (31/07/2017, 09:28) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    They have always been in the church so whats new?
  • Brad (31/07/2017, 09:34) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    There are homos already in the churches here in the VI..So what's the big deal?
  • I agree (31/07/2017, 09:36) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Lord did not come to save the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That includes all of us, in every form and fashion. No matter how the society sees it, or who knows about it. Sin is sin. Like every other abomination, homosexuality can be purged by the blood of Jesus Christ if the individual is willing to be set free from it. The church (the body of Christ) should accept sinners of every degree. Remember who Jesus was between when he died on the cross. He was not among a bishop and a deacon. Salvation is for all of us. What I do not believe that good pastor will do, is promote homos and gay marriage. No one should do that and no matter who makes it legal, the wrath of God is awaiting mankind in his own time.
  • saved (31/07/2017, 09:37) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    He's right. Sin is sin. None is greater than the other. So let ALL come and receive redemption.
  • sin (31/07/2017, 09:44) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    A sin is a sin homosexuality and liers thieves all one sin why only homos should not be welcomed in church.
  • Minister (31/07/2017, 09:45) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    The church is a spiritual hospital for persons struggling with these issues. If they don't come to church how will they be able to receive the word of the Lord to transform their lives? They have a soul as well. I welcome all of them to the house of the Lord.
  • wow (31/07/2017, 10:13) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    So what do you call the sin below? A person can be a "no-nonsense person" and be nice.
    ......"his wife Lady Patricia Charles has also been interpreted as being rude and unfriendly to some people because of her “no-nonsense style".
  • hi (31/07/2017, 10:15) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    If God is love, why do we have so much trouble showing love to one another? Regardless of sexual orientation, we are all his creation, we are all just people. The simple fact that accepting someone or a group of people into a place that is for the healing of all God's creation is a problem, means there is a lack of love in ourselves.
  • Martin (31/07/2017, 10:29) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    He has to say that, after all he do have a number of them taking part in his church so why fight it.
  • Freedom! (31/07/2017, 10:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come its easier for the ladies to be lesbian so many of thoes you girls are like that RIGHT HERE IN THE BVI
  • Online Now (31/07/2017, 10:50) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    "Bishop" and "Lady" who exactly sanctioned these titles? Self proclamation?
    • Jim Jones (31/07/2017, 13:58) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      The whole atmosphere and personalities in that place seems a bit cultish to me. I can probably get a more genuine spiritual insight from You tube
      • YouTube (02/08/2017, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes, watch the "Unseen Realm" by Dr. Michael Heisner Hebrew scholar will open your eyes
    • Me (31/07/2017, 18:27) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Stupes why don't you step into the church and ask them?? Is that the issue they are addressing here?
  • hm (31/07/2017, 11:29) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    just a reminder that every sin is equal.. its okay for a thief to go into the church after he had committed a crime but not okay for gay people to attend? if they don't go to church how will they be able to understand that what they are doing is wrong and also to hear and learn the word of the Lord to transform/change their lifestyle?
    • Street reporter (31/07/2017, 13:36) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply

      I have a problem understanding How all wrong has the same ratings.. We call a wrong a Sin...How a man going with a man be rated as the same as a man going with a woman..How a man taking a banana from his neighbor Banana Tree to eat because he is hungry be rated the same as a man robbing and killing another man.? My common sense tells me something is wrong with that picture...

  • Yo (31/07/2017, 11:47) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    I understand sin is sin but lets not forget why sodom and Gomorrah was destroy lets stop justifying some sin are abomination onto God
  • Just Woke (31/07/2017, 13:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Agree with pastor Charles. Give them the message of change. Then give them 6 months to change...We don't want a situation where they see their wrong as right...And bring that Anti Godly message into the church, fall in love with another boy, then its like an Anns Nest..
  • John.... (31/07/2017, 14:44) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    He without sin cast the first stone......
  • . (31/07/2017, 14:47) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    as the good book say, "tithes is tithes"
  • wize up (31/07/2017, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    that level of conduct can be found in the chapters of the Bible so nothing new
  • wedlock (31/07/2017, 15:54) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Question: How many pastors will marry the gays when the marriage law is passed. Will you marry them and give the communion and counseling like a male and female couple. Just asking
    • Marryingthemyes (31/07/2017, 18:45) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      I know I marrying them as a marriage officer and giving them good advice and taking their money to the bank to save it. All you could starn there. I building a chapel on my land and marrying all and sundry. Money make the mare go round.
  • real girl (31/07/2017, 17:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God hates the sin but he loves the person we all have sinned and come short they should be welcome at all churches it's God church
  • fact (31/07/2017, 19:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    If Jesus Christ don't turn them away, then who are we to do so.

    Let us love one another regardless and when they come, lead them to Jesus Christ.

    God bless you Bishop.
  • Tadow (01/08/2017, 07:55) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    My question to you Bisho,p would you married to gay people?
  • Readmylips (01/08/2017, 08:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Bishop is not wrong he said "My Church". He means his building at Baughers Bay. Probably from there any sinner could enter into the true Church (not made with a man's hand) mentioned by Christ, where no one who practice any sin..adultry, lies, fornication, theft, whoremongers...any sin cannot enter unless they confess and forsake those practices. This Church is not a building.
  • Just saying (01/08/2017, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad sad sad
  • Interested (01/08/2017, 11:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Homosexuality is a sin.Gid hates sin but loves the sinner.We all must repent ,confess and forsake our sins in order to be saved.
  • Born which way? (02/08/2017, 08:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Last year, I read an article on the Daily Mail wherein a five year old girl kept insisting to her parents she's not a girl. She hated her long hair, refused the pink dresses etc. Her mother took her to a therapist who suggested to the mother that she allow the girl to be a boy. She cut her hair, dressed like a boy, played rough and tumble, loved cars and truck. The before and after pictures proves she looked more comfortable as a boy and nothing like a girl.
    That said.
    It's the men who have been married twice have grown children then decide oops.....or the women who have been married three times have grandchildren and then decides ah ya....

    If the men were born effeminate okay. If the women were born masculine okay, but to be switching back and forth, being on the down low, marrying a woman but going Puerto Rico on the weekends with your boyfriend ah, no
  • SKA (02/08/2017, 13:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Considering the church is likely filled with fornicators, adulterers, murderers and the like, Im not sure why homosexuals are being singled out, But OK. Sin is Sin none is greater
  • ? (04/08/2017, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    they are Welcome, Would the Pastor marry them? This is about to come to the church next.....
  • A (04/08/2017, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree church is a hospital
  • Kush (06/08/2017, 08:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Which part in the bible say to worship Jesus?. Jesus is the son of God,Who Jesus ask for forgiveness.


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