A week after the audience at a conference hosted at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, were led into chants of “Let’s go Brandon,” a euphemism for an insult aimed at President Joe Biden, Matt Hagee, the church’s pastor and son of the founding pastor, John Hagee, has apologized.
“Last week I allowed an event to be held at Cornerstone Church by an outside organization. Regrettably, the organization was not properly vetted. It was not appropriate to allow this event at our church. The Church is not associated with this organization and does not endorse their views,” Hagee said in a statement published Thursday.
“I was invited to welcome the crowd where I thanked veterans for their service and thanked the crowd for their commitment to their faith. I deeply regret, and ask forgiveness, for what took place in the Cornerstone sanctuary as a result of my oversight,” he added. “In the future, Cornerstone Church will ensure that organizations using our facility are an appropriate reflection of our mission and vision.”
The event, the Reawaken America Tour, was held Nov. 11–13 and sponsored by Charisma News. Speakers included former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, political consultant Roger Stone and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell. Hagee’s apology comes in the wake of condemnation of the event by some in the Christian community.
Pastor Doug Pagitt, executive director of Vote Common Good, a nonprofit organization that advocates for politically progressive causes and electing Democratic candidates, told NPR’s affiliate Texas Public Radio that he doesn’t think “Let’s go Brandon” should be associated with the Church. FULL REPORT
