Church Still Loves Disqualified American Idol Contestant Jermaine Jones
Jermaine Jones may have been disqualified from the "American Idol" contest for having warrants out for his arrest, but his hometown church in New Jersey still loves and accepts him and hopes he will become a better person.
"He's well-loved and accepted here," TMZ quoted the Rev. George Holland at Green Grove Baptist Church in New Jersey as saying Saturday. "We serve a forgiving God. Everyone has made mistakes in their lives. Hopefully when you make those mistakes you've learned from them and become a better person."
Holland added he has known 25-year-old Jones since he was a boy. "I don't know exactly what the charges are so I can't comment on that, but as far as welcoming him back ... there's nothing out there he could've done to make us not welcome him back."
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Jones, dubbed "the gentle giant" by show host Ryan Seacrest, found himself caught in a string of lies which ultimately led to his dismissal. Some suspect it was a deliberate set up by crafty show producers.
Last Tuesday, Jones informed his followers on Twitter that he had been disqualified. "Awww I will no longer b (sic) on the show," a tweet from Jones' official "Idol" Twitter account read, although now the entire account has been deleted.
Jones, who became a Top 12 finalist, was reportedly sent packing after producers discovered that he had lied about his criminal past, which includes arrests for violence. Jones had a total of four outstanding warrants, three for driving on a suspended license and one for disorderly conduct with an open container, according to TMZ.
When confronted by producers, Jones said, "I didn't want to get judged. I didn't want to get penalized for anything that happened in the past." Jones was reportedly "very aggressive" behind the scenes, and once terrorized a member of the staff by screaming at her because he didn't like his wardrobe.
Jones tweeted about God showing him favor before his Twitter account was deleted. He let fans know that his faith was being tested before announcing his dismissal from the show. "Its (sic) my gift that will make room for me....and the favor of God on my life.....not no stupid story," Jones tweeted. "Just got off the phone with my mother... God is so good and he's an on-time God!"
Jones compared his struggles to that of Jesus Christ, speaking about his trials falling in line with his crucifixion. "They nailed him to the cross and he's the son of God," he tweeted. "Thank you lord for tests and trials for they come to make you strong.... #iwasnotBUILTtoBREAK!"
