Recommended

Donald Trump Puts Money in Communion Plate, Says He 'Thought It Was for Offering'

A pastor from the First Christian Orchard Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, prays for Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump.
A pastor from the First Christian Orchard Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, prays for Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump. | (Photo: Screen Grab via Reuters)

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump went to church in Iowa again on Sunday and momentarily mistook the Holy Communion plate being passed around with sacraments as an invitation to give money.

On the last day before voters choose their nominee in caucuses Monday, Trump attended the nondenominational First Christian Orchard Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he, his wife Melania and two staffers took communion according to WHDH.

Prior to taking the sacrament however, Trump briefly mistook the silver communion plates for the offering plate and took a number of bills from his pocket for a donation.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

He was apparently informed that it wasn't that time of the service yet and he laughed off the mistake.

"I thought it was for offering," he said.

Trump, an avowed Presbyterian who has repeatedly said he doesn't like asking God for forgiveness told CNN last summer that when he takes Holy Communion it's a form of asking for forgiveness for him because he usually feels cleansed after partaking.

"When I drink my little wine — which is about the only wine I drink — and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed," he said. "I think in terms of 'let's go on and let's make it right.'"

Trump would eventually give his donation when the offering plate finally came around.

At the end of the church service one of the pastors laid hands on Trump's shoulder and prayed that: "Jesus would guide his decisions and that only Christ could guide his decisions."

Trump reacted: "Thank you, I need that."

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. speak in the Orpheum Theatre during a campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa January 31 2016.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. speak in the Orpheum Theatre during a campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa January 31 2016. | (Photo: REUTERS/Dave Kaup)

At a later event in Council Bluffs, Trump sat down with Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, for an "interview" instead of giving a speech. Falwell told the crowd that when he rode with Trump on the billionaire's plane, he was expecting champagne and caviar but was surprised that Trump was having cheeseburgers, apparently like the average American.

As Trump pulled out all the stops to woo Evangelical voters in Iowa, he also played up a Bible given to him by his mother in a new campaign video on Saturday.

"I really appreciate the support given to me by Evangelicals. They've been incredible, every poll says how well I'm doing with them.

"And you know, my mother gave me this Bible. This very Bible," said Trump holding up the good book. "Many years ago. In fact it's her writing, right here. She wrote the name and my address and it's just very special to me. And again, I want to thank the Evangelicals, I will never let you down."

I want to thank evangelical Christians for the warm embrace I've received on the campaign trail. I will not let you down! #MakeAmericaGreatAgain

Posted by Donald J. Trump on Saturday, January 30, 2016

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.