Someone posted bulletins accusing Mercy Culture Church of pride, abuse, and more

Mercy Culture Church in Fort Worth, Texas.Photo byFort Worth Report

Fort Worth, TX – Mercy Culture Church had to do a bit of housekeeping before beginning worship services on Sunday (Oct. 20) as someone placed bulletins accusing the church of pride, abuse, and “falsehoods” throughout the property. Senior pastor Landon Schott shared a picture of one of the handouts with his social media fans.

“I already had my daily encounter this morning but someone took it upon themselves to send me additional scriptures to read by placed (sic) them all over our building late last night,” Schott wrote on Instagram. “Oh how I love God’s word,” the senior pastor continued. “Don’t you?”

Photo byLandon Schott

Mercy Culture has been in the spotlight due to the church’s efforts to build a women’s shelter focused on helping victims of sex trafficking. The Justice Residences will have 100 beds in addition to offices and an indoor gym if the plans for the edifice are approved by the city of Fort Worth.

Neighbors in the Oakhurst community have fought Mercy Culture and the Schotts on the matter due to concerns about safety, parking, and overall quality of life. “It’s scary to me,” said Oakhurst Neighborhood Association Vice President Kathryn Omarkhail when speaking to the press. “It’s almost in my backyard,” she added. “I mean, it’s literally right behind my house.”

Photo byMercy Culture Church

Landon Schott’s wife, Heather Schott, accused the city of Fort Worth of discrimination during a Sunday service in September. The co-pastor provided a nearly three-year outline of their efforts to have the Justice Residences approved as evidence of alleged partiality.

“We did not apply for a zoning change, because we do not need a zoning change,” Heather said during her speech. The pastor’s reference to a zoning change was in direct response to the zoning commission delaying the project on the premise of the Justice Residences not falling under the land’s current zoning regulations, which allow for Mercy Culture to use its property for “church use.” Fort Worth Assistant City Manager Dana Burghdoff, however, clarified the Justice Residences as protected by the Religious Land Use Act, which allows for group homes to be built on church properties in Texas without re-zoning.

It is not clear if Sunday’s incident was related to Mercy Culture’s ongoing battle with the city and its neighbors in Oakhurst. Oakhurst residents recently overwhelmingly voted to hire a lawyer to continue to oppose the Justice Residences project.

Mercy Culture will host its annual Justice Run on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Proceeds from the event will go towards building the Justice Residences.