By Kate Albers | Published 8 hours ago

Gary Birdsong speaks in the Pit on Monday morning. Birdsong has been preaching on campus since the early 1980s.

Some people come to UNC for the academics, clubs or sports. But Gary Birdsong, commonly known as the Pit Preacher, comes to UNC because of a divine inspiration.

God gave me the desire, he said. If you dont have a desire, you cant do it, especially on college campuses.

Birdsong said he began preaching at UNC in the early 1980s. He has traveled to schools all over the nation, including nearby institutions like N.C. State University and Duke University.

Birdsong said before he was saved and began preaching, he spent time with members of The Brotherhood and Hells Angels biker clubs.

After his religious transformation, he attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, and he visited Israel for a few months. He met Brother Jed Smock, who also preaches on college campuses, and started sharing his testimony as well.

Birdsong said hes glad he has the protections under the First Amendment, but he wouldnt stop preaching even if it werent allowed.

I dont care if I have it or not, Birdsong said. If God tells me to do it, Ill do it.

Freshman Bryan Labra said that Monday was his first time listening to Birdsong in the Pit. He said he thinks Birdsong should be allowed to preach on campus and that he does not abuse freedom of speech under the First Amendment.

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Pit Preacher Gary Birdsong claims First Amendment rights