Denver Evangelical Church Is Now LGBTQ Inclusive After Months Of Discussion, Prayer

(Courtesy Denver Community Church)

The lead pastor of a big evangelical church in Denver offered an apology recently.

"To my LGBTQ brothers and sisters and to their allies, I am sorry. I'm sorry for the ways that I have added to your wounds."

Michael Hidalgo, of Denver Community Church (DCC), offered that after a year and a half of prayer and discussion over whether to make the congregation fully inclusive. 

Earlier this year, DCC announced it would indeed be fully LGBTQ-inclusive. It's one of the larger evangelical churches in Colorado, with two campuses that serve as many as 1,500 people a week.  

DCC initially considered the issue more than 18 months ago, and spent that time reading scripture, asking questions and talking with members of the LGBTQ community. Michael Hidalgo is the lead pastor at DCC. He and the DCC elders were advised by Reverend Dr. Paula Williams, as they worked toward the decision to be LGBTQ-inclusive.

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• 'Marching Off The Map,' Openly Gay Bishop Moves Into Uncharted Territory: Audio
• Methodist Church's First Openly Gay Bishop Prepares For Move To Colorado

Hidalgo and Williams spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.