To be young, queer and religious isn't always easy. Navigating a world where safe space is difficult to find, the alternative to create your own is a very attractive one. 

Michael A. Walrond, Jr., also known as Pastor Mike, did just that when he started the First Corinthian Baptist Church in December 2016. His hope was for his church to be known as a place that welcomes everyone. 

Every Sunday, the congregation recites the church's personal statement, which includes the phrase “we are … commanded by God to love beyond the limits of our prejudices.”

You can’t put that clause in there as a statement of your identity and then build walls in the church. "We honor that,” Pastor Mike recently told Them. 

Other than being super inclusive, the Baptist church is technologically progressive as well. Unlike many traditional churches, it encourages cell phone use during service, especially for social media purposes, such as live-tweeting. The effort Pastor Mike puts into being welcoming has led to a congregation made up of millennials who would not be out of place at an after-service unlimited mimosa brunch. 

Reverend Kyndra Frazier is one of these millennials, and is also an associate pastor at the house of worship. In addition, she directs the church's mental health clinic, the H.O.P.E. Center.

“It has taken [queer Christians] a certain journey to be able to manage all the pieces that come with their identities,” said Frazier, who is openly queer.

As a testament to her pride, she routinely speaks about her life and relationships while preaching sermons in the pulpit. “It gives me comfort to know that I’m able to have conversations about sex and sexuality in a black Baptist church,” she said. “I feel mostly loved and accepted by this community.”

When asked why the church was so accepting of LGTBQ+ Christians when so many churches have used the Bible to attack that community, Pastor Mike said he keeps in mind that the Bible–as we know it–was assembled by men.

“If you’re reading King James’ Version of the Bible, you’re already starting behind the 8-ball," the pastor said. "You’re reading King James’ version of the Bible, not translation. There’s a big difference."

Beyond that, Pastor Mike says that Christians have long wriggled around things explicitly named sins in the Bible, asking, “Why is it that this one, of everything on the list of abominations, is the one we choose to highlight while giving a pass to the rest?"