Franklin Graham Steps in to Help Oregon Christian Bakers as They Face $135,000 Fine for Their "Stand for the Word of God"

SP Staff : Apr 27, 2015
Samaritan's Purse

"They have taken a stand for the Word of God, and they should not have to stand alone. I believe that Christians across our nation will rally around Aaron and Melissa and their five children." -Franklin Graham

A Christian couple in Oregon say they will be bankrupted by a judge's decision Friday to fine them $135,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for lesbians. (Photo via Samaritan's Purse)

Aaron and Melissa Klein ran a small bakery called "Sweet Cakes by Melissa" for seven years in Gresham, Oregon, but had to shut down their store in 2013 after Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman filed a civil rights complaint against them. Administrative judge Alan McCullough ruled Friday that the funds will go to Cryer and Bowman for "emotional, mental, and physical suffering."

Samaritan's Purse is raising funds to assist the Klein's and others like them who face financial distress and are punished for their sincerely held religious beliefs, convictions and conscience. (Click here to help)

"They have taken a stand for the Word of God, and they should not have to stand alone," Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham said. "I believe that Christians across our nation will rally around Aaron and Melissa and their five children.

"Please pray for Aaron and Melissa, and pray for our nation. When our judges are punishing Christians for practicing what they believe, that's persecution, plain and simple."

If you want to help Aaron and Melissa and other Christians deal with blatant discrimination, make a donation to our "Persecuted Christians—USA" fund below.

The Kleins shared their story last year in Decision magazine. Click here to read it.