Frank Schaefer, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in South Lebanon Township, faces trial for officiating gay son's wedding in Massachusetts in 2007.
"We know of a lot of churches that are doing it," said Schaefer, "but we're hoping that a lot of churches that we don't know of are doing it."
Schaeffer said the prayer vigil were not just for him but for the gay community.
"People are called upon to pray for me as I prepare for trial, for my family, but also for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community at large, because this is for a cause. This is not just for an individual."
Schaefer could lose his ministry if he is convicted of violating church rules. The United Methodist Church allows its members to be gay, but does not recognize marriage equality or allow LGBT people to join the clergy.
According to the Daily News, a group of over 30 United Methodist pastors in Pennsylvnia who support Schaefer say they will officiate a joint same-sex wedding.
Schaefer hopes that his church will reconsider its position on homosexuality, and credits his son with changing his own views:
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| In this Sept. 2013; Rev. Frank Schaefer shows his son Tim. |
"Everything changed for me when I learned that my oldest son was gay," he said."I think we need to look at this issue again. This is not just an issue of theology. This is an issue of life and death for our young people."
Schaefer said that as a teenager, his son considered suicide because of his struggle with his sexual identity.
"We, as parents and as Christians, rallied around him and affirmed him, and it brought him through some very rough times," he said.
Schaefer's trial will begin on November 18th 2013.
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