Church Vandalized Ahead of Turning Point USA Event

A church in Madison County, Alabama, was defaced with hateful graffiti just hours before a scheduled event featuring Turning Point USA speaker Bryan Dawson. The vandalism, which occurred between October 10 and October 11 at Movement Church, included messages declaring Dawson the “Antichrist” and warning followers to “Beware his falsehoods.” The act shocked many in the community, though not entirely unexpected by those who have witnessed the growing tension over differing worldviews.

Pastors Seth and Lori Adgate, who lead the church, expressed disbelief but not despair. “It doesn’t even really make sense to me what the messages are,” Lori said. “I wish they would’ve just contacted us. I would love to hear the heart behind what they’re saying.” Their response was not one of anger, but of quiet resolve. They chose to focus on their mission—to serve their neighbors, to care for the vulnerable, and to remain a place of peace and welcome.

Erich Nelson, a longtime member and local business owner, helped clean the damaged walls. “To attack a place of love with hate,” he said, “only strengthens the purpose of the church. It doesn’t weaken us—it reminds us why we’re here.” His words captured a deeper truth: that true strength is not found in retaliation, but in perseverance through adversity.

The Adgates increased security for the event, but their primary message remained unchanged: unity. “We’ve seen growing hostility toward those who hold firm to their convictions,” Lori said. “But disagreement doesn’t have to mean destruction. We can disagree without losing our respect for one another.” Their call was not for blind agreement, but for civil discourse rooted in dignity and mutual regard.

Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner echoed that sentiment. “Acts of vandalism and intimidation have no place in our community,” he stated. “Every person, regardless of belief, deserves to feel safe where they worship, work, or gather. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior.” His words affirmed a foundational principle: safety and respect are not privileges granted to the majority, but rights owed to all.

This incident reflects a larger shift in American culture—a growing tendency to respond to disagreement with hostility rather than dialogue. When voices that differ from the dominant narrative are met with threats, insults, or acts of violence, the very idea of open conversation begins to erode. Free speech is not just about the right to speak, but about the courage to listen, even when we disagree.

Yet, the response from Movement Church offers a different model. Instead of retreating into fear, the congregation chose to respond with grace. They saw the vandalism not as a defeat, but as a moment to reaffirm their values. Their actions reminded the community that love is not passive—it is active, intentional, and often requires sacrifice.

In a time when polarization seems inevitable, these choices matter. They show that faith, service, and community are not just ideals, but practical responses to division. When one person chooses to clean a wall instead of cursing the vandal, when leaders choose dialogue over condemnation, real change begins.

The future of our nation depends not on silencing opposing views, but on cultivating the kind of character that can endure disagreement without losing its soul. As the Adgates and their congregation demonstrate, true strength lies not in power, but in patience. Not in anger, but in compassion.

Let this moment be a reminder: we are called to build bridges, not walls. To speak truth with kindness. To stand firm in our beliefs without turning our backs on others. In the end, it is not the loud voices that shape history, but the quiet, consistent acts of love and integrity that endure.

Published: 10/11/2025