Parents at St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane expressed outrage after a trainee gospel worker allegedly suggested that students who are gay could face hell. Jonathan Vickers, from St Lucia Bible Church, delivered a speech at the school on August 24.
According to reports, Vickers' speech alluded to the idea that being gay could lead to damnation, and that individuals who delayed becoming Christians would suffer a similar fate. Several parents described the speech as potentially harmful to teenagers already dealing with anxiety.
Following reports that some students were distressed by the remarks, the school issued three memos to parents to clarify its position. Year 7 and 8 co-ordinator Helena Lambert stated in an email that the college has many community members who identify as LGBTQ+. She emphasized the distinction between the speaker's intentions and the impact of his message, noting that the college's responsibility is to address when messages cause harm or do not align with the institution's theological and educational context.
Mr. Vickers, however, stated that his speech was taken out of context and that he did not target any specific group or sexuality. He told the Courier-Mail that he urged all students to repent and put their faith in Jesus, adding that St Peters Lutheran College clearly advertises itself as a Christ-centered community, making a talk based on Jesus' words unremarkable.
The school has confirmed it is reviewing its process for selecting external speakers. Head of college Tim Kotzur acknowledged that some comments caused concern within the community. He reiterated the college's belief that every person is loved by God, and that dignity and worth are unconditional. The school also stated that it does not believe faith should be communicated through fear or shame.