Evangelist Christian group Soulwinners Ministries draws ire of students

November 5, 2007 —

by Adam Baudoux

Computer informations systems and public administration senior Brandon Smith holds a sign in protest of Michael Venyah's message. Venyah, foreground, is currently on a tour of 167 college campuses nationwide. His ministry, Soulwinners Ministries International, tours the U.S. and the world, preaching in public areas.

The spirit rock found itself in the middle of spirited debate last week, as students gathered around to hear a message many felt pushed freedom of speech to its limit.

The man in the center of the debate was Michael Venyah, who has traveled across the country - recently stopping at GVSU - preaching a religious message condemning homosexuality, smoking, drinking and pre-marital sex.

While there is no concrete definition separating free speech and hate speech, several students, like Dave Stevens, thought Venyah's message nearly crossed that line.

"It really feels like they're pushing the boundaries of free speech," said the public administration sophomore. "Sure, they have the right to say these things, but that doesn't make them right."

Nursing junior Justin Ellico agreed.

"It really feels like hate speech, because they're talking back to us, calling us perverts."

President Eric Gilbertson, who also made his way to the location between the First Year Suits and Living Center North, said while he may not have agreed with what Veynah said, he was fully within his rights to speak.

"It's okay to have a reaction to things we don't agree with," Gilbertson said. "But, we ought not to try and stop them. That's censorship. We ought to protect each others right to free speech, regardless of opinion."

Several students attempted to engage Venyah in debate, while others, like athletic training junior Chelsea Robl, felt a different approach could have been taken.

"We'd speak so much more if everybody would just walk away," she said.

Ellico agreed, but also said that there was a positive outcome in what so many saw as a negative presence on campus.

"It's a plus because so many people are together rallying," Ellico said. "But at the same time, we're still giving them an audience."

Gilbertson echoed Ellico's comments, saying that it caused several students to engage one another serious religious discussion.

"A positive from all of this is that several students said they had their first real discussion about their personal religions with one another," he said. "And that's the point of free speech, to spark debate. It's the essence of a free society."

Venyah's visit was the first of such kind SVSU has seen in recent memory. Several reacted with a mixture of anger and confusion upon first hearing Venyah's message.

"My initial reaction was, 'What the hell is going on?'" Ellico said.

"I was angered," Robl said. "The people who are preaching are unfairly generalizing so many people on this campus."

Stevens agreed.

"It's hard to listen to these things, because I have so many friends here from so many different backgrounds. To tell these people who do so much for this university they are going to hell really makes me feel bad for them."

The commotion began on the first day of Battle of the Valleys week. Several RSOs used the opportunity to promote the fundraising event.

Sociology senior Nick Tereck circulated the crowd with a message for students, reminding them of the week's event.

"Don't go to hell on an empty stomach, buy a cookie and support Battle of the Valleys."