Northwest : HUNTINGTON BEACH : Officials Air Flap Linked to Church

A neighborhood dispute over prayer meetings at a Midbury Drive home has some questioning their ability to “love thy neighbor.”

About 200 members of Church 24-7 attended the City Council meeting Monday to challenge complaints against them for holding prayer and fellowship meetings at the home of Pastor Kevin Dedmon.

Neighbors have complained that large numbers of people frequently visit Dedmon’s home, park cars illegally and create other problems, including noise, loud music and added traffic.

The council, after hearing about the dispute, asked city employees to meet with residents and church members to try to resolve their differences.

Suzie Rickerson, who lives in the neighborhood, said the issue is not one of religion, but church members’ lack respect for residents.

“They throw trash, double-park cars, and they have parties,” Rickerson said, adding that over the past three years, residents have constantly called police for alleged violations.

“It’s a lot of people, a lot of cars. It’s disrupting us. We can’t sleep at night,” she added.

Dedmon said he’s trying to be a good neighbor, but accused some of his neighbors with continuous harassment.

“The allegations are simply exaggerated,” Dedmon said Tuesday. “We’re hopeful we can work this out. Our intention is to be here a long time, and we’re hoping we can work things out with our neighbors and maintain our lifestyle of having friends over.”

Dedmon said he is not operating a church out of his home and that Sunday worship services take place at Edison Community Center. He said church members have a constitutional right to discuss their religious beliefs at his home.

Community Development Director Melanie Fallon said the city requires a special permit for groups to hold religious services in neighborhoods.

She said she will determine whether religious services are taking place at Dedmon’s home as part of the meetings planned to resolve the dispute.