Toronto-based David Lynn, head of Christ's Forgiveness Ministries, was met with sweeping protests Monday the moment he touched down on the streets of Vancouver to preach.
As part of a video-recorded cross-Canada Christ's Forgiveness tour, a certain number of Lynn’s interactions with Vancouver residents were posted on the group’s YouTube channel this week.
During a specific incident on “Day 3,” of the Vancouver tour, the street preacher alleged several instances of “assault” from members of the Commercial Drive LGBTQ2 community who spoke out against his message.
“Now this is why Jesus is saying you need to repent,” Lynn is seen speaking into a microphone, amidst an upset crowd, many of whom drummed, sang, and yelled to drown out his evangelism.
“This is why judgment is coming, because of hateful people that hate God, the word of God, and his people. If you continue to reject God with your bigotry – there will be no hope,” he said.
“I didn’t come for the homosexual community, to tell them anything,” Lynn added, calling them “bullies” who “have experienced trauma."
“I said nothing hateful today and yet these people are bullying me,” the preacher later insisted.
When members from the Vancouver Police Department showed up, Lynn asked them to arrest a person who physically confronted him.
In response to Lynn’s presence in the city, VPD released a statement Wednesday.
“We understand the frustration but it’s important to know that police cannot arrest someone if a crime has not been committed," it explained. “When responding to protests, police cannot take sides."
"The preacher’s activities did not meet the Criminal Code threshold of inciting hate."
By the end of his visit, Lynn spoke to a local news camera, saying that “God loves homosexuals, lesbians, and transgender – and he died for every person.”
