The 19 Kids and Counting brood cannot seem to catch a break. Following the scandals that saw Josh Duggar in the middle of the mess, the family of Jim Bob Duggar and wife Michelle Duggar appear to be getting no rest from their critics. Amid the controversies involving Josh Duggar and reportedly estranged wife Anna Duggar, the 19 Kids and Counting family experienced yet another backlash.
This time, however, the issue stemmed from the opinions expressed by Jim Bob Duggar's son-in-law, Derrick Dillard, regarding his mission in Central America. It could be recalled that Derrick Dillard and wife Jill Duggar Dillard announced earlier this year their desire to leave the United States in an effort to join a missionary trip to the said region.
"God did not call us to convert Catholics, but God has called us to follow His example " noted Derrick Dillard in a post in their family blog, titled "God Called Us." The husband of Jill Duggar Dillard further pointed out that the mission he and his family aim to fulfill has nothing to do with converting "Buddhists, Muslims, Baptists, atheists, Mormons, Lutherans, Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, agnostics, or Hindus."
Derrick Dillard clarified that the reason they decided to take part of the mission is to follow the example set by God. The brother-in-law of Josh Duggar further noted that their goal is to "preach the good news of the kingdom of God" as well as to "proclaim liberty to the captives." Citing his own faith and the strength he draws from such belief, Derrick Dillard and wife Jill Duggar Dillard want the rest of the world to find inspiration as well.
The husband of Jill Duggar Dillard shared, "Jesus Christ's great commission to the church to make disciples of himself, is a commission to all those who put their faith in him. This is the call God has predestined for all of his saints, whether they follow Him to a foreign land or not, whether they are students, doctors, stay-at-home moms, lawyers, pastors, accountants, teachers, missionaries, engineers, businessmen, politicians, waiters/waitresses, etc." He added, "As was Paul's ambition in Philippians 3:14, let us also 'press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'"
Unsurprisingly, this caught the ire of the other sectors. However, the most highly affected religious group are the Catholics. In fact, the consequence of Derrick Dillard's post even reached Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar. Sources confirmed that the invitation for the parents of Josh Duggar to speak at the Alberat Home Education Association Event in Alberta, Canada has been withdrawn due to this recent issue. Earlier this year, the Duggar family announced that they were called by the association to share their thoughts in the said annual conference. However, reports revealed that the negative publicity combined with the reactions from the members of the Catholic church pushed the organization to relent and remove Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar in the list of speakers.
