Story by Alicia Steele, Staff writer
Ross Jackson of Revival Mission Ministries preaches to a crowd outside of the Curris Center.
Ross Jackson of Revival Mission Ministries paid a visit to Murray State on Racer Day to deliver a demonstration that did not sit well with students.
Jackson, wearing a body camera and buttons with the words “porn” and “homo” marked out told students that he was not a sinner, but claimed everyone in the crowd was guilty of sin.
Students began shouting that he was no better than they were and told him his sermon was full of hate. Jackson reacted by telling students that he was going to heaven, and they were not unless they repented their sins.
One student asked Jackson how he knew he was going to heaven and whether he considered himself to be a sinner. Jackson said the bible was his ticket to heaven and said he did not consider himself a sinner, to which students disagreed.
“He’s a sinner, she’s a sinner, you’re a sinner, I’m a sinner, we’re all sinners!” said Chelsi-Ann Ritter, junior from Fairdale, Kentucky.
“Obviously you’re a sinner,” Jackson said in response.
During his sermon, Jackson also preformed multiple routines including “cheerleader” and said what, in his opinion, made a woman a “whore.”
Jackson used female athletes on campus and the nursing program at Murray State and their choices of clothing as examples while explaining how to tell whether a woman is a “whore.” “There is a large student body of females and I love these girls so much I’m trying to get them to dress modest,” said Jackson.
Students responded by shouting that Jackson was not trying to get women to dress modest, to which Jackson turned and continued speaking.
Jackson went on to quote an opinion article, which students said was not a credible source, and continued shouting that he was only preaching hate.
“You’re judging people, and you’re a sinner!” said many students in the crowd.
During the sermon, Public Safety and Emergency Management was called to control the crowd, reminding students that they must remain on the outside of the designated free speech zone.
Adrienne King, vice president of Marketing and Outreach, said “based on the name given to Public Safety, the individual who contacted them was not affiliated with the university.”
King said Jackson had registered with the Curris Center, and was preaching in the free speech zone.