South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba withdrew the visa exemption of controversial American Pastor Steven Anderson calling the American an “undesirable person.” This is an unusual move, as Americans typically receive entry visas from South Africa without problems.
Gigaba acted following input from South Africa’s LGBT leaders who objected to Anderson’s endorsement of the Orlando gay nightclub shooting that claimed 49 lives and left 53 wounded. Protesters presented a petition to Gigaba with more than 60,000 signatures.
In his role as leader of Faithful Word Baptist Church of Tempe, Ariz., Anderson praised the massacre claiming, “There’re 50 less pedophiles in this world.”
The independent Baptist church was intending to visit South Africa as part of an evangelistic crusade.
South Africa legalized gay marriage in 2006, but the homosexual lifestyle is still not widely accepted in the culture.
As reported in the Huffington Post, Gigaba said that in the last 12 months some 450,000 South Africans had attacked women who dressed and acted like men in public, and 24,000 had beaten men for dressing like women.
Male South African gangs have raped lesbians in the belief it will “cure” their sexual orientation.
Gigaba says the homophobic pastor must publicly repent before South Africa will consider his application to enter the country. But Anderson has indicated he does not intend to do so, according to Eyewitness News.
In his statement, Anderson quotes Scripture, suggesting that government will have to answer for creating its own destruction.
Despite South Africa’s restrictions on religious free speech, Christian ministries within the nation appear to be ministering freely. Teen Missions International offer extensive discipleship ministries for youth from their headquarters in Pyramid, near the capital of Pretoria.
One of their main outreaches is ministering to Children through a Motorcycle Sunday School Mission. They teach children phonics, literacy, Sunday school lessons, arts and crafts, games and provide medical care when needed.
Pray for the churches and para-church ministries operating in South Africa and for their freedom to proclaim the truth of Scripture.
CNN: South Africa bans anti-gay American pastor from visiting
The Huffington Post: Anti-Gay Arizona Pastor Banned From Visiting South Africa
Eyewitness News: CONTROVERSIAL US PASTOR IS BARRED FROM ENTERING SA
Teen Missions International: Welcome to the South Africa base of Teen Missions International!
