Ky. church OKs mixed couples

PIKEVILLE, Ky.

- The pastor of an eastern Kentucky church whose members had voted to bar mixed-race couples from joining the congregation says that decision has been declared null and void.

Stacy Stepp is pastor of the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church in Pike County. Stepp told the Associated Press yesterday that the church body can't pass new bylaws if they run contrary to local, state or national laws. He said the proposal that was approved in a 9-6 vote last week was discriminatory, therefore it couldn't be adopted.

Stepp said about 30 people who attended church services yesterday voted on a new resolution that welcomes "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."

- Associated Press