A Florida woman decided to walk out of her church after the pastor endorsed Republican Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of the state. The woman, named Kiara, shared a video of herself walking down the street after leaving her church. In a comment, she identified the church as Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens. Kiara said she decided to leave after her pastor endorsed Byron Donalds and invited him to speak, writing on the video, “When the pastor of your church endorses Byron Donalds & brings him to speak.”
In the caption, Kiara added, “GOT UP & LEFT. Let’s see if I can dispute my tithes!!” She later shared another video explaining what happened, saying she noticed a large sign reading “Faith leaders for Byron Donalds” when she walked into the church.
Kiara was confused by the endorsement, as her pastor had previously spoken out against Donald Trump and invited Democratic candidates to address the congregation. She made it clear that she cares about the political candidates her pastor endorses.
Despite noticing the sign, Kiara still entered the church because she thought the pastor might not have known about it. Once inside, she heard him announce that a political candidate was there to speak to the congregation and ask everyone to show him respect. The pastor explained that he had invited both candidates, but only one had agreed to attend, which made him admire that candidate.
The candidate turned out to be Byron Donalds, prompting Kiara to get up and leave. Before walking out, she said she heard Donalds refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Kiara explained that she had several issues with the church, but none had been enough to make her leave until this incident. She described her pastor as a “con” and a “sellout,” adding that she was no longer willing to pay tithes to a church led by someone she viewed that way. She also left a one-star review, before ending the video with, “I’m never coming back.”
What Happened Next
Kiara later shared a third video revealing that her pastor had reached out to hear her feedback about what happened. However, she had not responded because she was still too upset by the situation. “It’s just that deep to me,” she said.
Kiara explained that the situation was especially personal because her grandfather grew up during the Jim Crow era. She argued that someone like Donalds should not be in “the pulpit of the church.” Kiara also expressed disappointment because she had liked her pastor before the incident, but she remained firm in her decision not to return as she continued explaining why the endorsement upset her.
Viewers Side With Florida Woman After Leaving Church
Many viewers supported the Florida woman’s decision to leave the church over her pastor’s endorsement. They argued that she was right to stand by her beliefs. “Report them to the IRS,” one person wrote. Another commenter praised her for standing up for herself, saying, “Thank you for standing up for urself! I’m tired of church people worshipping the pastor more than GOD HIMSELF!”
Other viewers continued to support Kiara’s decision, with one person writing, “This! I’m not going anywhere for my spiritual life that doesn’t respect my physical life.” Another commenter shared a similar perspective, saying, “This is so me. Idc how long I’ve been at a church or how much I think I like the pastor. God gave us each discernment individually and it will be used!”
Kiara’s experience prompted discussion about whether churchgoers should be comfortable disagreeing with their pastor’s political endorsements. Viewers also considered whether leaving a church is the right response to such disagreements or whether members should first discuss their concerns with their pastor.
