Tennessee church launches spiritual war, viewing LGBTQ+ events as demonic activity

A church in Tennessee, USA, views the world as a battlefield between God and Satan and has declared LGBTQ+ events at the library across the street to be the center of demonic influence. The church has launched a mobilization to cleanse the area through prayer.

Scraper SystemJuly 08, 2026, 08:04 PM

Tennessee church launches spiritual war, viewing LGBTQ+ events as demonic activity

The 'The Well' church in Maryville, Tennessee, operates with a belief that sees the world as a battlefield between God and Satan. The church views LGBTQ+ events held at the library and café across the street as a manifestation of demonic activity and has launched a spiritual mobilization to cleanse the area through prayer.

Founded in 2016 by Mike Brewer and his wife Andrea Brewer, the church is part of the charismatic movement within Christianity. Instead of traditional quiet services, loud music, dim lights, and emotional rituals stand out. Church leaders define themselves as 'spiritual warriors' and believe that demons control geographical areas beyond individuals.

Library and café declared demonic stronghold

The church concluded that the center of demonic influence in the area was not a pagan temple, but the library and café directly across the street. LGBTQ+ events, rainbow flags, and Democratic Party meetings held at these venues were interpreted as signs of the demon Lilith's dominion over the area. The church set up a 'war room,' hung maps of surrounding counties, and divided the area into prayer sectors.

Members organized group walks around the library, believing their presence and prayers expelled demons. The church also discovered an old local law and informed the prosecutor's office, police, and local authorities that cabaret-style performances were prohibited within a thousand feet of a church; they argued that children attending these events was contrary to their religious beliefs.

Strategic struggle against demons

During its 'deliverance' sessions held every Thursday evening, the church aims to expel evil spirits from people believed to be under demonic influence. Through a concept called 'strategic spiritual warfare,' it seeks to break demonic influence through prayer and other spiritual methods. According to church doctrine, each demon has a name, area of expertise, and rank: Lilith is associated with forbidden desires, Odin with anger and violence, Belial with feelings of worthlessness, and Jezebel with gender identity disorder.

A rising movement in the US

According to The Atlantic magazine, what is happening in Maryville reflects the growing influence of the charismatic movement within American Christianity. According to a 2024 survey by Denison University political scientist Paul Goble, about 61% of American Christians believe that apostles and prophets exist today. Nearly half also accept that there are 'demonic governments and authorities' controlling specific geographical areas.

According to another survey published in December 2025, 59% of Evangelical Christians and 22% of non-Evangelicals support churches organizing prayer campaigns and spiritual warfare to expel high-ranking demons from regions. Experts note that such rhetoric could turn into a tool that legitimizes hostility toward political and cultural opponents.

Tennessee church launches spiritual war, viewing LGBTQ+ events as demonic activity