Leaders of a weeklong religious revival drawing hundreds to the Santa Fe convention center say the controversy that has accompanied the event is unfounded.

"Inside the walls of this convention center, something sweet is happening. There is no hate here," said Glenn Strock, one of several local evangelicals who held a news conference and radio show Thursday.

Strock, who leads worship services in homes in Northern New Mexico, was responding to widespread criticism of anti-gay messages that have emerged from the meeting's organizers, including the pastor of Dallas Bible Church, Kyle Martin.

On Monday, Mayor David Coss backed out of speaking on opening day of Revive Santa Fe, saying some of the group's beliefs conflicted with his support of inclusivity.

Earlier in the day, he received an e-mail that quoted the Revival Web site, for example, referring to the "homosexual explosion" as a reason Santa Fe needed to "know and experience the Lord in a new and refreshing way."

Martin and other church leaders spent about 45 minutes Thursday night preaching to radio listeners of KKIM 94.7 and at least two local journalists before heading out to begin the evening's gathering. One pastor said he hopes Coss will bring his family to the event to check it out.

"We are not here to bash anybody. We just want to share God's love with all people," said Damon Duran, pastor of El Rancho New Beginnings Church.

None of the speakers denied, however, that they hold the beliefs that have garnered disdain among others in the Santa Fe community.

"When you read things that say Revive Santa Fe is about hate, that goes against everything that I believe. ... In the scriptures, it does say that homosexuality as a lifestyle is not endorsed," said Martin. "But at the same time, Christ would not say, 'I hate you.' He would say, 'I love you. Come.' "

The revival, the first major event in the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, features morning prayer sessions at 7 a.m., evening worship and live musical entertainment at 7 p.m. Tonight's entertainment is Sheila E and Pete Escovedo Orchestra. Saturday night's featured musician is Collin Ray, and Sunday, Los Lonely Boys plan to appear.

While about 400 people attended opening-night events at the revival, about 200 to 250 have attended subsequent meetings, Convention Center Manager Darlene Griego said.

On Thursday night, a crowd was already forming outside the center's doors. Just a few feet away, another group had gathered in outrage, taking offense at the assertion from inside that homosexuality is a sin, or even a choice.

Darren Dunbar, who also goes by the name Wenda Watch and is a drag performer, wore a pink cowboy hat and sequined skirt and carried a sign saying, "God loves me."

"More than anything, I just wanted to say this is rude," Dunbar said, noting suicide rates are high among gay teens because of "ideas" like those coming from the revival. "But thank you for coming. Thanks for your money. Now go back to Dallas."

Contact Julie Ann Grimm at 986-3017 or jgrimm@sfnewmexican.com.