Considered a rising star in women’s soccer in America, Jaelene Hinkle, 24, recently announced she will not be playing for the US women’s national soccer team in two exhibition games scheduled for June.

No explanation was given about why she pulled out and in its news release announcing her withdrawal, US Soccer stated Hinkle cited “personal reasons.” Hinkle has played in eight international games with the America’s national soccer team since 2015.

However, Hinkle who plays defense is also a Christian and is very vocal about her faith on social media. She even posted her opinion of the Bible on Instagram stating:

“It’s not a fictional book. It’s not pick and choose what you want to believe. You either believe it or you don’t.”

Because of this, many wonder if she made the decision after US Soccer announced it would honor gay pride month in June by using rainbow numbered jerseys on both its men’s and women’s national uniforms.

As soon as news surface she had withdrawn, gay activists tweeted their disappointment saying they were looking forward to seeing her wear the gay colors.

Meanwhile the Southern Baptist Church (SBC) is also under pressure to change its stance on homosexuality and transgenderism.

SBC is holding its annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona this week. Faith in America, a pro LGBTQ group, announced it will be sending protestors to the convention set to start June 13.

FIA is lobbying SBC to remove homosexuality and transgenderism from its “sin list.” The pro-gay organization hopes to meet with SBC executives at the convention, but SBC told the group they would only be willing to meet after.

FIA has met with SBC leaders in the past and the church stated then that it is open to dialogue with the gay community, but it would not be changing its stance on sexual sin.

In a statement, SBC President Russell Moore responded to FIA’s recent initiative:

“As gospel Christians who believe that every human being is made in the image of God. Southern Baptists have stood for the dignity of all human persons for decades.

“At the same time, we cannot and we will not ignore the teachings of Jesus himself, as some would wish Southern Baptists and others to do. To minimize or adjust a Christian sexual ethic would be to abandon the very message Jesus handed to us, and we have no authority to do this.”

Sources:

• Pro-LGBT group wants Southern Baptists to remove homosexuality transgenderism from ‘sin list’: Christian Post
• Christian soccer player withdraws from roster after teams decided to wear gay pride jerseys: Christian Headlines
• Is Christian US soccer player boycotting team over these jerseys? New York Post
• Christian Soccer Player Jaelene Hinkle Withdraws From Friendlies as US Team Is Set to Wear Gay Pride Jerseys: Christian Post