Its beliefs are
non-denominational and
evangelical. Wasilla Bible Church website lists five "Core Commitments" at its website, "The Centrality of Christ, The
Authority of Scripture, The Priority of
Prayer, Authenticity in our Spiritual Life, [and] Community in our Congregational Life". In 2008,
Pastor Larry Kroon describes the congregation as "
socially conservative".
Media scrutiny and controversy Following nomination of congregant and then-
governor of Alaska Sarah Palin as candidate for
Vice President of the United States, Wasilla Bible Church became a focus of the media. "When a presidential candidate surprises the country with a relatively unknown choice, then all hell breaks loose,"
Larry Sabato said. "It did with
Ferraro, it did with
Quayle, it's happening with Palin." A
Time correspondent reported a Wasilla Bible Church program insert announcing a program to help gays "overcome" their homosexuality. Then
pastor, Larry Kroon, responded to this article in a
Fox News interview on September 9, 2008. When Fox reporter
Greta Van Susteren asked for comment about inclusion of the announcement, Pastor Kroon replied, "When the subject of homosexuality comes up, people that matter to me come to mind. And over the past year, I've had different people in our congregation speak of homosexuals in ways that I did not want to hear our people speak. ... And I wanted my people, if at all possible, to hear somebody in their tone and their manner because I don't think the church has done a very good job of speaking of this issue in a gracious tone and manner."
Arson On the evening of December 12, 2008, the church building was damaged by a still unknown arsonist with damage estimated at $1 million. An accelerant was poured around the entrances while five women were inside; they escaped without serious injury. Palin apologized to her fellow church members in case the fire was connected to "undeserved negative attention" Wasilla Bible Church has received since she became the vice presidential candidate on August 29. ==Notable congregants==