Controversial pastor Mark Driscoll is citing First Amendment rights in his fight against the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, to display a sign to vote for Jesus in property adjacent to his church.

The sign, reading “Jesus Christ ’24,” is posted on the right of way property bordering the street in front of Driscoll’s church, Trinity Church in Scottsdale.

In his sermon last Sunday, Driscoll read an email from a Scottsdale city official, stating that his sign, which does not appear to be a political sign for a current candidate, does not meet city requirements and should be removed.

Driscoll took the unnamed Scottsdale city official to task, reminding the official of the First Amendment and stating the person should “figure out how to close the border and take care of people before signs.”

“The government asked us to take down our Jesus ’24 sign,” Driscoll said. “My response? We will not comply, but we will multiply.”

A message left for Kelly Corsette, communications and public affairs director by The Roys Report (TRR) was not immediately returned.

Driscoll, who is promoting his latest book, “Vote Like Jesus,” appears to be capitalizing on the controversy.

Driscoll pushed the book during his sermon Sunday and also informed the congregation that everyone would receive a free sign.

Merchandise with the slogan “Jesus Christ, ‘24”  and the yard sign are listed for sale on the church’s website. The listing for the sign says, “Annoy evil pagans AND your HOA (but I repeat myself) with the official Vote Like Jesus yard sign, ONLY available at RealFaith.com!”

“Vote Like Jesus” is also the name of Driscoll’s current sermon series.

On the church website, it states: “We as Christians, should be political because the fight we face is not about right versus left, but about good versus evil. In order to be biblical, we must be involved in politics because our God is. We also must remember that we are citizens of His kingdom first, and residents of our nation second and that God reigns over all.”

Driscoll previously pastored the now-defunct Mars Hill Church in Seattle. But he resigned abruptly after church elders presented him with a restoration plan, following an investigation that found Driscoll guilty of “arrogance,” “a quick temper,” and leading “in a domineering manner.” Driscoll then planted Trinity Church in Scottsdale.

In May 2021, former Trinity Church members and staff came forward to The Roys Report with allegations Driscoll was running his church like a cult, including surveilling former members 24/7 and mandating loyalty tests for his staff.

In July 2021, former elders at Mars Hill Church stated publicly that Driscoll was “unfit” for ministry and should step down from the pastorate. Driscoll did not respond to the elders’ statement.

In-laws of Driscoll have also come forward, saying Driscoll has alienated their son from them because they dared to associate with someone who left Driscoll’s church. Similarly, another set of Driscoll’s in-laws told TRR that Driscoll has alienated their daughter from them because they refused Driscoll’s demand for loyalty.

Despite this, Driscoll’s church seems to be thriving and now has five weekend services. Driscoll also has more than 455K followers on X and 750K followers on Instagram.

This piece is republished from The Roys Report.

Sheila Stogsdill is a freelance print journalist and digital reporter, primarily covering crime issues for KSN/KODE.