“Heaven has a wall, a gate, and a strict immigration policy. Hell has open borders. Let that sink in.”
That is the message a Louisiana-based grocery store chain printed in its circular ad that is seeing quite a bit of feedback. Owner of Mac’s Fresh Market Reggy McDaniel said the message wasn’t meant to be politically controversial, but to start a conversation about salvation.
“Heaven does have gates, it has walls, and it has gold streets. And you are not going to get in there any other way but Jesus Christ. And that’s all I’m trying to do, is to make people think about their salvation,” said McDaniel.
McDaniel said while he’s received negative pushback from the ad, he estimates 80% of the feedback has been positive. He added the stores have implemented religious messages in their ads for twenty years, saying the ad has gotten more attention than any other he’s ever put out.
“Everybody’s just so cranked on that and I do understand it, but it is just a good time to put the gospel of Jesus Christ out there because they do have borders and walls in Heaven,” said McDaniel
McDaniel said the message in the ad is not the only faith-based component of his business.
“I got the Ten Commandments in every store that I own. I believe in them. I believe God gave them to us for a purpose. I’m just a Christian, just like everybody else. I’m going to go before God, just like everyone else, and it’s just going to be me and him,” said McDaniel.
