Bobbie Pierce, 20, of Mount Wolf, said he is being denied membership and communion at Ambassador's Bible Chapel in Newberry Township because he is gay.

Pierce said he has attended the church for years, and he was baptized there.

Pastor David Slautterback said that he and other church elders removed Pierce from the church's membership — and announced that fact to the congregation during the church service last Sunday — because Pierce has failed to have a change of mind concerning his sexuality.

Slautterback said Friday that he and the other elders want Pierce to repent for his sin and to return to fellowship at the church, where he is still welcome to attend as long as he does not cause division or speak contrary to scripture.