August 1998 Newsletter

"WE SERVE A GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE"

This is the song we sang as we embarked for another abortion mill in Orlando on Tuesday morning, June 6th. It was the first time I had heard the song and it caused me to wonder if we truly did still serve a God who answers by fire. He did it in Sodom and Gomorrah. He did it when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. But does He still answer by fire today?

We brought the Gospel battle to three specific gates in Orlando: child killing (there are four abortion mills in the city), child pornography (two Barnes & Noble Bookstores), and sodomy (endorsed by the Orlando City Council and promoted by Walt Disney World). The media condescendingly asked what possible good our motley little band of Christians could do. Just who did we think we were? My answer, as always; "We serve a mighty God who will not be mocked. He is fully able to save, whether by many or by few." In my heart, however, I knew that we had an uphill battle in this hard-hearted, overfed, unconcerned city.

We had come to Orlando to die. That's right! To die to our reputations (not much left of them with friend or foe), our comforts, our possessions, our freedoms, and ourselves. We belong to Christ! Little did I know that our God was about to do something that would make even our little band of Christians stand in awe. Ten minutes after the benediction was pronounced for Operation Push Back, three major fires broke out in central Florida. They are still burning as I write this newsletter. "We serve a God who answers by fire. We serve a God who answers by holy fire." Three gates - Three fires!

Next month's newsletter will document God's hand at work in every major Rescue event since the "Spring of Life" in Buffalo, New York, in 1992.

READING THROUGH THE BIBLE

We pray you are employing and enjoying your bible reading schedule. In 2 Chronicles 20, we find King Jehoshaphat surrounded by enemies. Not an unusual predicament for those who love God. Instead of frantically scampering about trying to prepare for battle, Jehoshaphat called his people together to seek the Lord. His prayer is recorded in verses 6-12 where he declares his absolute dependence upon Almighty God. Then, in true humility, he confesses the reality of Judah's situation: "… For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

God spoke to Jehoshaphat through the prophet Jahaziel words that brought him hope and courage: " Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's … You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you … Go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." 2 Chron 20:15-18.

The people did exactly as God had directed and He defeated their enemies. The fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms because they had heard how the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel (v. 29).

GOD IS LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG

REKINDLING A PASTOR'S HEART (Pastor Richard Knodel, Grace Orthodox Pres. Church)

"As a pastor who got involved with Operation Rescue for the first time at the national rally in Orlando, Florida, I write and give thanks to both God and OR for my experiences! I would say that the whole Orlando rally was 'exhilarating'!

"There are those who criticize OR, but I have nothing but thanks in my heart for this group of people and the opportunity I had in Orlando to witness for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I never felt freer or more blessed, than I did in Orlando. We preached and sang and watched gospel skits in front of abortion clinics, Barnes & Noble Bookstores, the City Hall and Disney World. We lined the highways of Orlando with placards decrying Disney and its pro-sodomite policies. I met multitudes who had been crucified with Christ (Matthew 16:24) because they stood for Him. I found that the world will leave us alone if we stay in our churches, but Satan's wrath rears its ugly head when we take the battle to the gates like the early church.

"I thank the Lord for removing me from the anti-gospel cage in which I felt myself. Thank you Operation Rescue for giving your lifeblood for this rally. Thank all of you who came up to me during the week with your various encouragements. It was great, great work!

"The best part is that I get to do it again back in Lynchburg, VA, for I've picked up a few new things along the way! I'm so glad Operation Rescue has stuck it out through all the persecution until I could discover it. The Lord has definitely used OR to rekindle this pastor's fire."

Pastor Knodel became familiar with Operation Rescue after Flip was unjustly arrested and detained in the City of Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been a Presbyterian pastor for 25 years.

A REPORT FROM A SAINT IN ORLANDO (Judy Madsen Johnson)

In preparing for Operation Push Back in Orlando, God blessed us with many wonderful warriors for our King Jesus; Judy Madsen Johnson was one. She worked tirelessly with pastors and local law enforcement. She coordinated daily lunches during the week. She was awesome! Here is her report:

Matthew 10:14-15: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment, than for that city."

"When Operation Push Back ended, did the disciples of Jesus, namely those with Operation Rescue National, shake the dust from their feet as they left Orlando, Florida? Did those who offered the weary, thirsty, and hungry servants respite, food, and drink stave off the Lord's anger against those who did not? We who recognized OR's mission and sacrifice on behalf of our city felt privileged for the opportunity to minister to our brothers and sisters. Those who stayed away missed our Father's blessings, but did not thwart His plan. Our babies, our mothers, our children, our families--the victims of abortion, child pornography and homosexuality -- had champions fighting for their survival. Thank you Operation Rescue National. Pre-born babies were saved. The perverted, graphic material at Barnes & Noble was exposed. Homosexuals inside and outside Disney World were given the message: "Jesus will free you from your lifestyle." And souls were saved! Praise you Lord!"

A LETTER TO THE MAYOR

(Rusty Thomas sent this letter to Mayor Glenda Hood of Orlando)

"I am certain that you recall the recent Operation Rescue event held in your city June 1-7, called 'Operation Push Back.' Our desire was to bring the Gospel of Christ to the gates of three gross evils presently defiling your city and America. These gates include: child killing (you have four death camps in your city), child pornography (you have two Barnes and Noble stores in your city), and sodomy (publicly endorsed by your city and Disney World).

"We cried out in your streets. We warned of the severe consequences that would befall Orlando and America if we continued to harden our hearts to the claims of Christ. Our warnings went unheeded. Your city raised the homosexual flag, you jailed gentle Christians, you banned the cross of Christ from your streets, and you hindered the message of Christ through an ungodly and unconstitutional injunction. What were you thinking?

"Within ten minutes of our closing benediction for Operation Push Back on Saturday, June 7th, central Florida went up in flames. The fires are still burning and you continue to fly the sodomite flag. Do you think this is simply coincidence? I think not! Especially when you consider that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by fire to serve as an example to all those who would follow in their pernicious ways (2 Peter 2:6). Mayor Hood, I plead with you to recognize that these fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, gang violence, AIDS, and other assorted plagues are not just a string of bad luck. They are remedial judgments from Almighty God Himself upon a wicked, overfed, arrogant and unconcerned nation that has abandoned Him.

"Move swiftly to take down those flags. You are shaking your fist in the face of Almighty God. Call a public meeting to repent and renounce your endorsement of these abominations. Humbly ask the Lord to forgive you and your city, and then ask Him to send the much-needed rain. You need Him more than you need rain."

PASSING THE CROSS OF CHRIST TO THE NEXT GENERATION

Even our enemies recognize that the cross of Christ is being passed to the next generation. This is an excerpt taken from a press release issued by Biblical America Resistance Front (BARF) after Operation Push Back:

"We are particularly concerned about a new group of young people who, to our knowledge, were trained by Operation Rescue leader David Lackey. This group dressed alike, marched in military formation, showed the results of a great deal of indoctrination, and were deliberately targeting young people with their intimidation and the harassment methods that we saw used in the Barnes & Noble parking lot. We've called them the 'commando team.' "

Once again BARF has it right! These kids are Gospel commandos for Christ taking the Gospel to the gates of hell. One of our kids said, "We have been singing about going into the enemy's camp for years but all we did was sing. Today we actually went and we saw the power of God at work!" This must make Satan, BARF, NOW, Planned Parenthood, and their multitudinous minions shudder!

FRUIT FROM OUR MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR INTO THE STRANGE WORLD OF DISNEY

As a result of our witnessing teams inside Disney, Dave Lackey has received numerous pieces of mail from those trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. One young man impacted by one of our witnessing teams wrote:

"I recently have been going through some inner hatred towards myself. I guess it's because I don't want to be this way at all, but I feel like I have gone too far to turn around and not far enough in life to go on. Often, I think about suicide. I truly want a way out of this lifestyle. PLEASE, HELP ME MY FRIEND!"

Dave is in contact with this young man and sharing the Gospel that will set him free. Please pray for him to receive forgiveness and liberation through faith in our Lord Jesus.

AFTERMATH OF LYNCHBURG

(Rev. Richard Knodel)

What is the aftermath of Operation Rescue's rally in Lynchburg during the unrighteous incarceration of OR's National Director, Flip Benham? Some declared that the pro-life movement was set back 20 years.

"All I can say is, not from the perspective of this pastor! First of all, upon inspection of Flip's conviction, I became convinced that, like Roe v. Wade, it was a fabrication from top to bottom. So it didn't matter to me that many of our influential citizens, both within and without the church, shunned Flip. I could see that judicial tyranny had possessed a modern, conservative American city. This shocked me into becoming much more active.

"After OR National left Lynchburg, our shock led us to maintain a vigil outside the city jail for the duration of Rev. Benham's incarceration. We also led a rally in front of the Lynchburg City Hall, and witnessed in front of our area abortion hospital and Planned Parenthood clinic. There is now between 25 and 40 people whom the Lord has encouraged to become much more involved in saving children and proclaiming Christ in our city. We've held meetings to organize a Crisis Pregnancy Center and I am making preparations to witness at the high schools this fall through the 'God Is Going Back To School' campaign. The pro-life movement has not been set back 20 years because of Flip Benham. Any number have been awakened out of their complacency, and have been energized to knock down the gates of satan's kingdom.

"All of this shows the truth of God's Word where he declares that when we are weak, He is strong (II Cor 12:9). Flip allowed himself to be crucified by our pharisaical city leaders. But Christ rose up in the midst of Satan's celebration and sowed the martyr's seed in many others. For this we give praise to God, and invite your continued prayers!"

LETTER FROM FLIP'S FRIENDS IN THE LYNCHBURG CITY JAIL

"I hope you're doing well! Jesus is moving in both our lives. We do bible studies every day and Avery is getting better at reading. You really made a difference in here. Jesus used you to bring hope and acceptance of Christ into the occupants of this jail. It feels good to see Jesus move in someone's life.

"It's living testimony to the true power of Christ. When I leave here, I hope to leave the task of opening that door in the hands of another; so when new people come here they have the help in learning about and accepting Jesus as Lord.

Jesus is working in the Lynchburg City Jail. We pray for you and your battle everyday. We wish you the best.

Your brothers in Christian love, Jeff and Avery

ABORTION GOLIATH CLOSES AS GENTLE CHRISTIANS LIVE OUT THEIR FAITH

Another giant in the abortion industry has been hit in the forehead by a smooth stone. The Department of Health Resources (DHR) has shut down the busiest abortion mill in Atlanta, Georgia - Midtown Hospital. The DHR's report documents the butchery of women, filth in the mill, and careless attitude of abortionists and employees. It reads like a horror novel. Faithful sidewalk counselors in Atlanta like Michael and Michelle Wolven are very thankful at watching God's mighty hand at work. They write:

"Proclaim our love for our Lord with all of our heart and praise Him with all of our breath. Let everyone know of this miracle. He did not bring the smallest of abortion mills down (although I don't think He sees them in any different light), but he brought down the Goliath."

Thank you Michael and Michelle, Karen Black and others for your faithfulness. As theology becomes biography in the streets of our cities through the lives of gentle Christians, our God does exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine. Keep pressing toward the gates!

"MICKEY'S HOMETOWN PARADE" CONFRONTED IN EVERY CITY

In a futile attempt to reestablish itself as a family company, Walt Disney is doing a series of "Mickey's Hometown Parade" extravaganzas in several small cities. Under the leadership of Scott Heldreth, Mark Gabriel, and CALL, we have been to two of those cities (Platteville, Wisconsin., and Vermillion, South Dakota) with the truth of Christ. Disney has cancelled its parades in two other cities because of this Christian witness.

With large banners, airplanes flying with banners, parade floats, signs, and Gospel tracts, we have brought the Gospel truth about Disney's funding of Planned Parenthood, endorsement of sodomy through sitcoms like "Ellen", and all out attacks on Christian values in movies like "Priest". We are joining with Christians from around the nation to confront Disney's contemptible lie that homosexuality is somehow a good thing. We are coming by land and by air to confront Disney at its gates proclaiming that there is another King, and His name is not Mickey. His name is Jesus.

In Christian love keep pressing the gates,

Flip