Is ‘Pastor and Patriot' Mullen Still Running for Senate District 22?
“What the hell you smoking?” Waukee Point of Grace Church pastor Jeff Mullen asks those who suggest he shouldn’t politick from the pulpit.
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Does Jeff Mullen, the fiery Waukee Point of Grace Church pastor who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Pat Ward for the Republican nomination for Senate District 22, sound like a candidate to you in this video?
That’s a question some political campaigns were asking after receiving an email Mullen circulated about his recent video created for Pulpit Freedom Sunday. Patch received the email from the campaign of Democrat Desmund Adams, who is challenging Ward for the right to represent the district, which includes voters in West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive and Windsor Heights.
Mullen didn’t immediately return phone calls asking if he’s planning to a write-in or third-party campaign for the district, where registered Republicans and independents both outnumber Democrats.
In the video, Mullen decries the historic separation of church and state, which he claims doesn’t exist. To those who suggest he cannot politick from the pulpit, Mullen says he responds, “What the hell you smoking? You see, I know what they are implying because they drank the IRS political punch.”
The video includes an endorsement from clashdaily.com’s Doug Giles, who encourages recipients to “send this video to the nicer-than-Christ ministers who are saying nothing as evil politicians strip our nation of its constitutional liberties. I give Jeff the distinction of being a Clash Worthy Pastor."
Here’s the text of Mullen’s email:
“I've put a link below to a 4 minute video I created for Pulpit Freedom Sunday. You can find more information atwww.SpeakUpMovement.org - and I really encourage you to do so.
“This video is not endorsed by them - simply something I felt compelled to create. I am writing for www.ClashDaily.com - they posted it today. I hope you will consider your role as a leader in our state and nation.
“If you are in alignment with this video and have an email distribution list I'm asking you to email this link to your friends with a brief note. If you get all bent out of shape with this video - send it anyway...”
Beth Dalbey
11:20 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
What do you think about the message in Pastor Jeff Mullen's video about the separation of church and state, which he claims doesn't exist?
Mike Elam
1:24 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Where does any of this imply that Jeff Mullen will be running in the general election? Other than your headline, there is no evidence that I see for such conjecture.
Claire Celsi
11:40 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Pastor Mullen is severely misinformed, not only in his political rhetoric, but in his mistaken belief that the IRS will not take him on. By the way, taunting the IRS is pretty much an invitation for them to come and investigate his church. People like Jeff Mullen are the problem. He's obviously looking for a way to remain relevant after the drubbing he took from Pat Ward. While I congratulate Mrs. Ward on a great campaign, I sincerely hope voters will look very closely at Mr. Adams and vote for him this fall. His ideas are refreshing and would quickly clear up the stink Mr. Mullen has left in the wake of his nasty primary campaign. The west side of the metro deserves better.
Mike Elam
1:42 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The candidate of choice is Sen. Ward. Mr. Adams will simply continue the tax and spend policies of his party.
Beth Dalbey
1:57 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Mike, thanks for asking. The reason we ask if he sounds like a candidate is that he hinted after the primary in June that he wasn't putting away his campaign signs and might run as an independent.
Susan L. McAtee
2:35 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I actually STOPPED going to Point of Grace church after they brought Michelle Bachmann into the pulpit to speak to the congregation. It was a decision I made based on the fact that I go to church to glorify God, not to judge other people based on their sexual orientation or any other orientation. It was very clear to me that I do not agree with Mr. Mullen or Ms. Bachmann, the way they practice their religion or their politics. Very judgemental. I thought that was Gods job.
Claire Celsi
7:02 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Susan, thanks for sharing that. I wondered if anyone would feel that way. And believe me, it's not just that church. I know many wonderful, lifelong Catholics who are fed up with being preached to about birth control and gay marriage. It's not something that should be a part of the dialogue when you arrive at church to get away from the headlines and be uplifted in your faith.