Michael Kelly and Rebecca Davis are both pastors at the Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside, California. At least they were, until a couple days ago, when they were both fired by the SECC.
A video on Twitter explains that these two individuals are no longer part of the pastoral staff at Mt. Rubidoux SDA church. LINK
“Our hearts are broken in response to this news. As your pastor and head elder, we reach out to you in love, letting you know that we are here, and we are in this together” — Jeremiah Green
“This is the time for us to look to God from whom our strength comes, and continue to work while it is day. For the night cometh when no man can work. Rather than give into the temptation to despair, we are looking towards God to continue to lead our church just as He has in the past — Diane Alexander
We’ll be working with the Conference to keep you informed of every step of the journey. For now, we are focusing on consoling one another, communicating all that we can, and continuing the work of the ministry.”
The conversation on Twitter by those who attend the Mt. Rubidoux Church indicates that the two ‘pastors’ were inappropriately involved with each other, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. We contacted the Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church via email for more information. We have not received a response from them yet.
The Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church recently conducted a Revelation of Racism sermon series, in which Pastor Michael Kelly took part, along with Marquis Johns.
The Revelation of Liberation with Pastor Marquis Johns.
On the Mt. Rubidoux Facebook Page, there is speculation by church members that Michael Kelly was fired by white Conference officials (presumably Sandra Roberts) because he was black and telling the truth about ‘systemic’ racism.
“It makes me very sad that Pastor Kelly has been removed for loving his people and telling the truth. I am almost positive the powers that be could not stand to hear the truth about racism and the church and punished him for speaking out about it. Pastor Kelly they can't take away that you are a man of God now and will be forever! The head of the SDA I'm sure are people without melanin and they don't care about Black lives, as long as they tithe.
Mp ——- the conference would actually fire the pastor for speaking out against racism???? We should not stand for that!”
You are right we need to stand for those who stand for US all of US! Black, White ALL of us are the children of "God"
That is all the Pastors were saying. They are being crucified for speaking up and speaking out! No Justice NO PEACE!!!!
[Editor Update. Here is an email reply from the Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church:
Thank you for reaching out to us. We are deeply saddened and hurting over the transition that is happening. The decision was made exclusively by the SECC conference. We can not give details due to the sensitivity and legalities of the removal, but have been instructed to direct all questions to the Communications Director at the conference, Enno Mueller. He can be reached via email at Enno.Mueller@seccsda.org. Again, thank you for reaching out to us. We are completely heartbroken and know that you are, too, and ask you to keep the entire congregation and RubiNation in your prayers.
Here is a website that contains a copy of the Conference Letter that was sent to Mt. Rubidoux Church. LINK . It was sent to us by a reader last night.]
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“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:16).