Jackson Free Press

About 100 supporters of "biblical marriage" gathered at the Capitol steps Monday morning for a rally and prayer vigil that the Christian Action Commission organized.

Multiple pastors from Mississippi and neighboring states gave short sermons explaining their support of biblical marriage in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage last month.

Greg Belser, head pastor of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, discussed what he called a "new cultural reality" at hand with the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage.

"Marriage is not a cultural Gumby," he told the crowd. "Changing marriage is, frankly, above their pay grade."

Belser went on to say the church is right to be brave and immoveable by holding demonstrations like this. "This truth is not subject to revision by you, me or the Supreme Court," he said. "We are at the mercy of the Lord God, and there's no place we'd rather be."

Chas Rowland, pastor of Bovina Baptist Church in Vicksburg, said biblical marriage is the picture Jesus gave the world.

"You are not complete on your own," he said. "You need something completely different than you."

Rowland said biblical marriage is not just a better lifestyle choice or better for children, but it is better because it is a picture of humanity's need for Christ: "Society needs clear biblical marriage because everyone in our society needs Jesus."

Mark Yelverton, one of Rowland's congregants, drove to Jackson from Vicksburg for the rally. He said rallies like this are a good way to start spreading the message in support of biblical marriage.

"I think there should be a general awareness that there is a significant problem, and unfortunately, good people tend to be quiet and step back," Yelverton said. "What other way is there to get the message out but to begin here?"

Ronda Slay and Trish Sanderford said they came out to the rally to support the local Christian community. They both heard about the rally through one another and other friends.

Slay, a Jackson local, defined biblical marriage as one between one man and one woman. Sanderford agreed, adding that marriage is a picture between Christ and the church.

"In the Bible, it said just as Jesus gave his life for us, a husband should be willing to lay down his life for his wife," Sanderford said.

Slay agreed that God created man and woman differently, but as a perfect completion together.

Slay and Sanderford made it clear that they were not rallying out of hate, but supporting other Christians in prayer and encouragement.

"We do not hate somebody who believes differently; I have friends from all walks of life," Sanderford said.

Rob Hill, director of the Human Rights Campaign—the largest LGBT advocacy group in the U.S.—found out about the rally this morning and came out to the Capitol. He said it was a display of denying others—not doing unto others like the Golden Rule states.

"We as Americans and Mississippians should celebrate this decision, as it makes clear that once and for all that we are equal under the law," said Hill, who pastored a Methodist church in Jackson before joining HRC.

Hill said he thinks history will be the true judge for supporters of biblical marriage.

"I could predict that a similar group of people will gather on these grounds years from now and ask for forgiveness for what they've said about their LGBT neighbors," he said.