Florida Megachurch Cancels TPUSA Make Heaven Crowded Tour After Pastor Punished for Speaking Up

First Baptist Orlando Cancels TPUSA Make Heaven Crowded Tour After Pastor Put on Leave for Questioning Event

A scheduled Turning Point USA Faith tour stop at First Baptist Orlando has been officially canceled after weeks of internal turmoil at the Florida megachurch.

The "Make Heaven Crowded" tour event, featuring TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk, widow of founder Charlie Kirk, was set for February 25 at the massive Orlando congregation. The event listing was removed from both the Make Heaven Crowded Tour website and First Baptist Orlando's website.

Pastor Lucas Miles, senior director of TPUSA Faith, issued a statement on the cancellation:

After further evaluation, TPUSA Faith determined that this particular stop was not the best strategic fit for either organization. We remain grateful for the conversations with First Baptist Orlando and we hope to partner with them in the future.

The cancellation followed significant controversy within the church. Chris Ogden, the Horizon West campus pastor, was placed on administrative leave after questioning the decision to host the event during a staff meeting. A worship leader also reportedly resigned in protest.

Ogden was reportedly required to record a video apology expressing regret for challenging senior leadership's authority. Church members and high dollar donors have expressed concern over his removal, with some members threatening to leave the congregation.

Senior Shepherding Pastor David Uth had addressed the controversy in a February 15 sermon, stating the church had requested assurances from TPUSA that the event would focus on Jesus rather than politics or partisan causes. TPUSA agreed and offered to let church leadership review speakers and participate. Uth indicated the church would provide baptism opportunities following the event.

The tour, which launched January 21 at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, has 32 scheduled stops nationwide. The event was promoted in a January 30 Facebook post by Chip Moore, TPUSA Faith's director of Pastoral Relations, who called the event "unforgettable" and "epic."

TPUSA Make Heaven Crowded Tour Faces Growing Backlash From Churches and Congregations

First Baptist Orlando previously drew attention in 2023 over questions about whether the church had begun affirming same sex relationships. The congregation remains one of the largest Baptist churches in the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Horizon West campus, where Ogden served, was launched in 2018 through a partnership with the SBC's North American Mission Board.

The Crusader's Opinion

Here is the real question nobody is asking: why does a church need to "evaluate strategic fit" to host an event about filling Heaven? If the Gospel is the Gospel, preach it anywhere and everywhere. But when a faithful campus pastor raises a legitimate concern and gets slapped with mandatory video apologies and administrative leave, something is deeply broken in church leadership. Chris Ogden asked a question. For that, he was punished. Meanwhile, the tour moves on, the church stays silent, and the sheep are left scattered. This is what happens when institutional reputation matters more than pastoral integrity.

Take Action

• Pray for Chris Ogden and his family as he faces consequences for speaking up. Reach out to First Baptist Orlando at (407) 425-2555 to express your support for honest pastoral dialogue.
• Visit firstorlando.com and contact church leadership to encourage transparency and reconciliation within the congregation.
• Learn more about the Make Heaven Crowded Tour at makeheavencrowdedtour.com and decide for yourself whether its mission aligns with Biblical evangelism.
• Support persecuted pastors and church leaders who face retaliation for standing on principle through www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
• Have a conversation this week with your own church leadership about how decisions are made in your congregation and whether pastors are free to raise concerns without fear of punishment.