Frisco Pastor’s Sermon Sparks Debate Over Religion in Mayoral Runoff

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

A sermon delivered from the pulpit of a prominent Frisco church is drawing attention after Pastor Keith Craft publicly endorsed Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer while making sweeping remarks about Muslims and Islam during a May 3 service.

The sermon, delivered shortly after Vilhauer advanced to a runoff election for Frisco mayor, remains publicly available on Elevate Life Church’s Facebook page and was first reported by The Dallas Morning News. TX3DNews independently reviewed the sermon footage and transcript.

Pastor’s Remarks During Sermon

During the sermon, Pastor Keith Craft publicly endorsed Vilhauer while speaking about what he described as a broader spiritual battle over Frisco’s future.

“The Muslims are making a play for Frisco, Texas,” Craft told congregants while Vilhauer stood nearby.

Craft later added:

“The way that they want to gain power, at least initially, is by the ballot and eventually by the sword.”

He also described Islam as:

“An ideology from hell.”

At another point in the sermon, Craft urged church members to “show up like an army” at the polls and described the runoff election as “a spiritual battle for the soul of this city.”

Craft also tied Vilhauer’s candidacy to what he described as a fight over Frisco’s identity and future direction.

“God brought Rod Vilhauer to Frisco, Texas,” he said while praising Vilhauer’s longtime development and business ties to the city.

Craft also claimed there had been threats against Vilhauer and his family.

“There’s actually even been threats against a guy and his family who’s not even the mayor yet,” Craft said.

TX3DNews contacted the Frisco Police Department asking whether the department is aware of any reported threats involving Vilhauer or his family. As of publication, the department had not responded.

The pastor additionally criticized outside media organizations and unnamed groups he claimed were attempting to stop Vilhauer’s candidacy.

“The battle is being waged by people like the Dallas Morning News,” Craft said.

Vilhauer Posts Clarification Video

Following renewed attention surrounding the sermon, Vilhauer posted a video on Facebook this week attempting to clarify his views and explain how he sees the difference between Muslims generally and his criticism of Sharia law.

In the video, Vilhauer said a longtime Frisco resident recently warned him that some people were beginning to perceive him negatively.

“A lot of people are hearing you as an angry old white man, and I don’t want to be heard that way,” Vilhauer said.

He continued:

“I don’t care your race, your creed, your religion. If you are here in Frisco, in Texas, in America, and you love our Constitution, you abide by our laws, and you are here for the American dream and what it can provide for you and your family, I support you 100%.”

Vilhaluer also attempted to distinguish between Muslims generally and his criticism of Sharia.

“When I talk about Sharia, it is a totally different organization to me,” he said.

The mayoral candidate also described himself as trying to unify the city.

“I am here to unite this city,” Vilhauer said. “I am stepping out to everyone in this city and telling you that I am going to commit to uniting us as people.”

Notably, Vilhauer did not directly address Craft’s sermon or specifically comment on the pastor’s remarks about Muslims and Islam in the video.

Instead, Vilhauer focused largely on explaining his own views regarding Sharia law and emphasizing that he supports residents of all religions who follow American laws and constitutional principles.

The distinction drew attention because Craft’s sermon repeatedly referenced “Muslims” and “Islam” broadly, while Vilhauer’s clarification video focused primarily on Sharia.

Earlier Comments Also Resurfaced

The sermon has also renewed attention around earlier religion-related comments Vilhauer made during the campaign.

In previous interviews and public remarks reviewed by TX3DNews, Vilhauer apologized to Frisco’s Hindu community after comments some residents considered offensive.

“I do apologize for that,” Vilhauer said in one video, describing his earlier remarks as “ignorance” and “a terrible mistake.”

During that same discussion, Vilhauer praised Frisco’s Hindu community as peaceful, highly educated, family-oriented, and deeply involved in the city’s schools and professional workforce.

At the same time, Vilhauer continued making warnings about Sharia law, referencing terrorism, violence in Europe, and cities such as Dearborn, Michigan while arguing Frisco should avoid similar developments.

Vilhaluer also previously claimed he had received death threats because of his public stance on Sharia law.

TX3DNews contacted Elevate Life Church, Pastor Keith Craft, Rod Vilhauer and mayoral candidate Mark Hill seeking comment regarding the sermon and surrounding remarks. As of publication, no responses had been received.