Ed Kalnins

Ed Kalnins is the senior pastor of the Wasilla Assembly of God in Alaska. Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin was baptized at the Wasilla Assembly of God and attended the church for many years.¹ She later became a part of the congregation of the Juneau Christian Center in Juneau, Alaska. Palin gave a speech at Kalnins' church on June 8, 2008.¹

Fast Facts

1. Senior pastor of Wasilla Assembly of God in Wasilla, Alaska
2. Became senior pastor in 1999¹
3. John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election, Sarah Palin, attended Kalnins' church, was baptized there at the age of 12¹
4. Palin began attending the Juneau Christian Center in 2002¹
5. Palin was the featured guest speaker at the church on June 8, 2008

Controversial Sermons

On September 2, 2008, The Huffington Post reported that Kalnins hinted that supporters of John Kerry would be condemned. In 2004, during the elections, Kalnins was quoted as saying, "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry....If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time".¹

Additionally, Kalnins was reported to have told his congregation that criticizing George W. Bush over his response to Hurricane Katrina was comparable to criticizing one's pastor, by saying, "I hate criticisms towards the President, because it's like criticisms towards the pastor , it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."¹

Kalnins Quote on Iraq War

"What you see in a terrorist -- that's called the invisible enemy. There has always been an invisible enemy. What you see in Iraq, basically, is a manifestation of what's going on in this unseen world called the spirit world."¹ "We need to think like Jesus thinks. We are in a time and a season of war, and we need to think like that. We need to develop that instinct. We need to develop as believers the instinct that we are at war, and that war is contending for your faith."¹

"Jesus called us to die. You're worried about getting hurt? He's called us to die. Listen, you know we can't even follow him unless you are willing to give up your life. ... I believe that Jesus himself operated from that position of war mode. Everyone say "war mode." Now you say, wait a minute Ed, he's like the good shepherd, he's loving all the time and he's kind all the time. Oh yes he is -- but I also believe that he had a part of his thoughts that knew that he was in a war "¹

Related Pages on Mahalo

Joel's Army | Wasilla Assembly of God | Juneau Christian Center | Pastor Michael Rose | Sarah Palin | Sarah Palin VP | Wasilla | Alaska | The Huffington Post | John Kerry | Hurricane Katrina

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