Exodus leader steps down

ANDERSON, S.C. – A group that aspires to create an independent Christian nation has lost its executive director but will continue its efforts from its base in South Carolina.

Cory Burnell has stepped down as leader of Christian Exodus, a group that was supposed to move members to South Carolina to influence elections and possibly secede from the United States.

Burnell, a financial planner, had planned to move to Anderson, in the state’s northwest corner. But he said a job offer with a local company was withdrawn after his affiliation with the group was discovered.

While the broad focus of the organization remains to create an independent Christian nation, the more direct focus of the group would be to help members move toward self-sufficiency, said Keith Humphrey, the group’s new executive director.

Burnell said he chose South Carolina because of its location, economic prospects, Christian influence and conservative voting history.