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Commentary

Georgia Police Officer Stands on the Word, Finds He Isn’t Standing Alone

February 13, 2023

A Georgia police officer’s Facebook post paraphrasing what Ephesians 5 says about marriage results in his suspension from the police force. The officer, Jacob Kersey, then resigns instead of accepting the muzzle his superiors will place on him as a condition of his employment. First Liberty Institute sent a letter to the mayor and assistant police chief demanding they reverse course. This latest cancel culture incident is all too familiar.

Everywhere the redefinition of marriage has spread in the last two decades, people of faith have experienced the consequences. Wedding vendors were among the first to face harassment and even government fines in the tens of thousands of dollars. Soon Americans in other walks of life began to be discriminated against because of their belief in God’s design for marriage. Family Research Council began capturing dozens of their stories and made them available on FreeToBelieve.com.

I’ve personally met many of these believers over the years — praying with them and looking to provide encouragement. There is a common thread in those conversations. They are often shocked to be targeted for following their beliefs about marriage as they went about their daily lives. While the road is difficult, they are thankful for the encouragement they have received through letters, petitions, and other shows of support. 

However, Jacob Kersey, a 19-year-old police officer with the Port Wentworth Police Department who was pushed out from the police force after posting a biblically-based Facebook post has struck a different raw nerve.

At a time when the country is reeling from the evil actions of five police officers in Memphis, it’s obvious we need more officers rooted in biblical morality — not fewer. While the police chief who suspended Jacob announced his retirement with days of this incident going public, the city has done nothing to reverse this injustice. If this is allowed to stand, the consequences will be felt well beyond Port Wentworth — damaging the morale and chilling the speech of the law enforcement community. How does driving away godly police officers do anything but create a moral void leading to more of the violence the nation witnessed in Memphis?

Kersey’s suspension came only 22 days after President Biden signed the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, a law that is accelerating the vilification of Americans who believe in marriage between a man and a woman. Jacob tells me he has heard nothing from the 12 Republican senators who joined with congressional Democrats in passing the law last December. But he has been overwhelmed by support from Americans across the country. As he told Fox News, many are reaching out in “absolute disbelief that something like this is happening in America, and that it’s happening in Georgia.”

When the Daily Signal broke the story, I quickly shared it with friends who responded by sending Scriptures and prayers. A fellow believer was inspired to go even further by creating artwork showing Jesus walking alongside Jacob. Jacob sowed the Word and he is now reaping the Word from his brothers and sisters in Christ. I asked what Scriptures have sustained him since all this began. He responded with these:

  • “Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” 1 Timothy 4:16
  • “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
  • “So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” Acts 5:41

Hebrews 13:3 instructs us to remember those who are mistreated as “if you yourselves were suffering.” Jacob Kersey took a stand on God’s Word and thankfully he is finding that he isn’t standing alone. Please join me in praying for Jacob and signing this petition asking the mayor and city council members to apologize.

JP Duffy is vice president for communications at Family Research Council and editor at large of The Washington Stand.