Alex Headley
News Editor
news@insideuab.com
Students traveling near the Hill University Center Thursday, Oct. 22 experienced Jesse Morell’s aggressive preaching style. Morrell stood outside the HUC wearing a sign that read “Jesus died for hell deserving sinners” shouting at people that because of their sins that they would burn in hell. Many students argued openly with Morrell, who was accompanied by two police officers at all times.
Many students were offended by Morrell’s preaching, reporting he said horrible things to minority students and claimed that he would disown his baby if it were gay. Some even claimed that Morell was a con-artist hoping to spark a fight and catch it on tape so that he could sue the university.
“That is a common rumor I encounter that I think was started by either the devil or an administrator. I only file a lawsuit if the police arrest me or the school will not let me preach,” said Morell.
All of the lawsuits filed against Morrell have been free speech cases, which are usually settled for only a dollar.
“I was allowed to preach because that was a city sidewalk, and UAB is a public university. I plan to begin visiting UAB every year to preach. I enjoyed it,” said Morell.
Morrell is from Connecticut and each week he visits a different college campus in America, traveling with his wife and child. He began open air preaching five years ago.
“My target audience has always been those who disagree with me,” said Morell. “I want to persuade the minds of those in opposition to me because I care about the fate of their souls.”
Morell says that he enjoys debates but encounters a lot of hostility.
“I’ve been spit on, punched, kicked and even had beer poured on me,” said Morell. “But I have also had success. I see many converts, most of which begin as protesters to what I am doing.”
Morrell reports that one protester on campus was converted to Christianity on the street, but this has not been confirmed. Morrell says that while he sometimes is welcomed on campus by Christian organizations most of the time he feels that “many professing Christians do not live any better than non-Christians. They don’t believe that people can lead sin-free lives, and so they preach acceptance and tolerance instead,” said Morrel who said that he leads a life of holiness and doesn’t sin but maybe once or twice a year.
“It is possible to live without sin through Christ. If a Christian sins then he gives a bad name to Christ. My preaching of the truth will never give Christians a bad name.”
Morell’s Web site http://www.openairoutreach.com lists his values, venues and contact information along with videos of his many public appearances.
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