Government at any level has no place telling any religious institution how they are permitted to live out their beliefs.”

Political divisions and concerns over a legal battle punctuated heated debate over whether the church could build housing for trafficking survivors.

The Fort Worth City Council approved a site plan for Mercy Culture Church's Human Justice Reform center. The church intends to build a new, nearly 43,000 square foot facility with 107 beds and 16 staff members.

Mercy Culture is threatening to sue individual Fort Worth City Council members and city staff if a proposed human trafficking victim shelter isn’t approved at the Dec. 10 council meeting, according to a demand letter obtained by the Star-Telegram.