Students congregated outside the HUB-Robeson Center Thursday afternoon to watch a group of preachers fervently express their views on topics such as homosexuality and evolution.
Jim Deferio, a traveling preacher from Syracuse, N.Y., was at the forefront of the demonstration and preached while carrying a sign that read "Thousands of ex-homosexuals have experienced the life changing love of Jesus Christ."
Deferio, along with his daughter, Michelle, has been traveling to various college campuses in places such as California, Virginia and Pennsylvania to spread the teachings of the Gospel, he said. He was also at Penn State on Jan. 20 and has received mixed reactions from students regarding his presence.
"It's important to get the Gospel message and truth out. People have shaken my hand and said 'Thank you for coming.' Others have said 'Get the F out of here,' " he said.
Deferio added that a Penn State professor helped him in explaining the teachings of the Gospel to some students he was speaking with. He would not identify the professor.
A group of four students who opposed Deferio's message stood on the opposite side of Pollock Road adorned in rainbow-colored flags and chanted, "One, two, three, four, open up your closet door. Five, six, seven, eight, don't assume your kids are straight."
The students said they decided to make an appearance after they saw what was going on outside the HUB. Sean Williams (freshman-finance), one of the students who participated in the counterprotest, was surprised by the number of bystanders watching the protest go on.
"We were in the LGBTA center in Boucke and we came out to get lunch and we saw him outside and decided to come out and share our own point of view," Williams said. "It's getting a little ridiculous here."
In addition to Deferio and his daughter, a small group of students also preached in the vicinity. Devin Reeves, a high school student from Syracuse who was visiting his brother, a Penn State student, said it was a coincidence Deferio was here preaching on the same day as them.
Reeves said another group was supposed to meet up with them but never showed. He added the student reaction to their presence was mostly negative, despite the fact they were spreading what he believes to be a positive message.
"Be free from sin and turn to Jesus Christ. He's the only one who can wash away sin," Reeves said. "The reaction has been overwhelming. Just rejection basically. We had five people support us."
Although the Gospel preachers caught many students' attention, it was another student who held the interest of some bystanders.
Robert Bell (senior-landscape architecture) paced along Pollock Road dressed in a Soviet military uniform while waving a large Soviet Union flag.
He participates in the 37th Guards Rifles Division, a World War II reenacting group, as a Soviet soldier and decided to stand by the preachers as a joke.
"I've always wanted to come out here and mess with these guys. I'm a graduating senior, so why not. I'll never get another chance to do it," he said.
Some students were confused by his presence in conjunction with that of the Gospel preachers'.
Daniel Valdes (junior-biobehavioral health) said he was disturbed and confused by the atmosphere.
"I don't think it's [the preachers'] job to tell people what to do. I don't think anyone should tell anyone how to live their life," Valdes said. "I'm still trying to figure out what the Russian guy is doing."
Other students, including Stephanie Wexler (freshman-chemical engineering), were amused by the bizarre situation.
"I personally find it entertaining," she said.
