Christian group claims it healed 40 people of HIV at Pride event
A Christian group that infiltrated a Pride event has claimed that it healed 40 people of HIV.
Evangelical group Trinity Works had previously claimed it would infiltrate last month’s Twin Cities Pride in Minnesota for “Humility 2014”, in which its workers would attempt to cure gay people of HIV.
The group’s leader Steven Uggen had said: “The Lord really wanted to demonstrate his goodness to this community by releasing healing of HIV and AIDS, so we believe we’re going to see people healed of HIV and AIDS.”
Minister Josh Gillespie said, following the event: “426 people participated from 50 churches during this last weekend for the Humility Outreach.
2476 people were talked to. 1124 people heard someone’s testimony or the gospel. 935 were prayed for.
“80 people surrendered or recommitted their lives to Jesus!!!! 40 healings!! 14 baptized in the Holy Spirit!”
LGBT group OutFront Minnesota dispute the group’s claims, and say they had to counsel several distressed people who mistakenly assumed the Trinity Works event was part of the Pride.
They handed out flyers warning people not to engage with the evangelicals, and picketed their ‘corn feed’ next to the Pride festival.
They told The Colu.mn: “This weekend at Twin Cities Pride, OutFront Minnesota’s Anti-Violence Program staff worked with more than 75 trained volunteer advocates and supportive clergy to help ensure that everyone had a safe and fun Pride.
“Thanks to our planning with Twin Cities Pride, we were able to greatly limit the number of people the evangelical group Trinity Works tried to ‘convert’.
“If the support team had not been at Pride this weekend, the number of attendees who could have been traumatized would have been substantial due to Trinity Works’ deceptive tactics.”
