Ed Kalnins

- Senior pastor of Wasilla Assembly of God in Wasilla, Alaska
- Became senior pastor in 1999The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
- John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election, Sarah Palin, attended Kalnins' church, was baptized there at the age of 12The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
- Palin began attending the Juneau Christian Center in 2002The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
- Palin was the featured guest speaker at the church on June 8, 2008

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.The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008) 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.The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 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".The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
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."The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
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."The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008) "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."The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)
"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 "The Huffington Post: Palin's Church May... (September 2, 2008)