Obama’s Former Pastor to Appear in Woodbridge

Woodbridge, Va. — A polarizing figure that surfaced during President Barack Obama’s campaign, one he distanced himself from, is scheduled to appear in Woodbridge.

Ebenezer Baptist Church in Woodbridge invited the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. to appear January 14 for a fundraising event.

The church aims to raise cash at the $125 per person event to continue its various charities, including donating clothes and feeding area homeless, and as of late providing donations to the flood victims at Woodbridge’s Holly Acres mobile home park.

But Wright, Obama’s former pastor in Chicago prior to his presidential run, has a controversial past. In 2008, media reports showed excerpts of Wright’s sermons noting “God bless America, God damn America,” and showed where Wright said the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were the result of U.S. actions.

Earlier this month, Wright embraced Occupy Detroit protesters at a speech in Michigan and during a speech blamed Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan for a war on poverty, claimed there was a conspiracy to deny African Americans AIDS medication and said there is a new era of incarceration where blacks are being arrested more than whites and the wealthy.

For Ebenezer Baptist, this is the most well-known speaker that has agree to appear at the church. While they did unsuccessfully reach out to other keynote speakers for this upcoming fundraising event, they jumped at the chance to have Wright appear at their church.

“If you look at him as a theologian and separate the controversy from the man, the controversy takes a back seat. Even President Obama said that,” said church spokeswoman Elaine Fuller.

During his campaign, Obama denounced Wright’s remarks but didn’t speak ill of him as a person.

The congregation at Ebenezer also looks forward to Wright’s visit, said Fuller, which includes a VIP book signing and formal dinner. Fuller said the event is expected to sell out, allowing them to continue to fund area basketball camps as well as charitable activities with ACTS.

Ebenezer Baptist Church was formed outside Occoquan in the late 1800’s, and was one of the first Negro churches in Northern Virginia. Located at the corner of Telegraph and Minnieville roads, the church is building a large addition to accommodate its growing congregation.