Restore event calls Christians

to action

850 hear of need for evangelicals to vote

By RICHARD KOE
    TUALATIN — Mo-mentum was built here Feb. 23-24 toward calling Christians to wake up and help restore this nation under God, say organizers of Restore America.
    This was the second year for the conference, held again at Rolling Hills Community Church. and sponsored by Lake Oswe-go-based Restore America. Registration jumped to 850 compared to 600 a year ago, with a good turnout of students who attended on scholarships.
    Media attention also increased significantly, drawing interest nationally from the cable news network CNN as well as local radio stations, alternative and daily newspapers, and Christian media.
    Business was also brisk at the sales counters, with popular bestsellers by the speakers sold out, such as The Criminalization of Christianity by Janet Folger.    A deluxe edition of the Geneva Bible at $60 each was also going fast, as well as CDs and DVDs of last year’s conference.
    This year’s two-day event featured 11 speakers — five newcomers and six returnees. New were Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Redmond, Wash., Judge Charles Pickering from Mississippi, David Brog of Christians United for Israel, Stephen Williams of Prepare the Way, and Seth Elliott of HIS World View Ministry.
    Popular speakers returning were Janet Folger of Faith2Action, Marshall Foster of Mayflower Institute, Herb Titus of Virginia, Gary Cass of the Center for Reclaiming America, Rick Scarborough of Vision America, and Matt Staver of Liberty Counsel and Liberty University School of Law.
    While each covered a variety of important issues facing the nation, their underlying message was that America is at a turning point, and that Christians need to be the light and to let it shine, that men may see their good works and glorify God.
    Topics included “Islam, Israel, and the War on Western Civilization,” “Godlessness in America,” “Education and Judicial Tyranny,” “The High Cost of Knowing God,” “Media, Schools and Courts Demonizing Christianity,” and “The Homosexual Agenda.”
    Others were “Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Censoring Christians,” “Media Weapons of War — Internet, Education, Activist Judges,” “Anti-Humanism — Reclaiming the Education of Our Children,” and “Mobilizing the Christian Vote a Strategy to Restore America under God.”
    Among the new speakers, Pastor Hutcherson of the 3.500-member Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Wash., talked about “The Man Who Dared to Trust God,” noting that Elisha’s life was an example of the New Testament church. He was humble but not weak, and also meek, with power under control, he noted.
   “Hutch,” as he is known, is very involved with current efforts in Washington to repeal the state’s equal rights law. He also has led the fight to pass a bill on adoption reform as well as reform to the foster care system. Hutcherson is a national leader of adoption reform and has placed more than 150 children into loving homes.
    Pickering, who described the full-scale partisan battle that took place over his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, said a battle is raging for the hearts and souls of America. He cited the culture wars, abortion without parental consent, challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance, and efforts to separate God and country. The outcome will determine what America will become, he said.
    Brog, a seasoned and articulate lawyer now serving as executive director of Christians United for Israel, said he shares, as a Jew, evangelical viewpoints on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. He added that evangelical Christians are rock-solid supporters of Israel, a fact the Jewish community has belatedly begun to acknowledge and appreciate.
     Williams, a former teacher, settled a 2004 court case that allowed primary source documents with Christian references to be used in the classrooms of Cupertino, Calif. public schools. He and his wife Sarah later moved to Bend, where they founded Prepare the Way Ministries. Williams told how secular humanism has invaded America’s schools, with an anti-Christian agenda.
    Noting that 80 percent of children in evangelical homes leave the church after age 18 and never return, Williams urged Christians to engage the culture by being filled with the Holy Spirit, by knowing their rights, and by overcoming the fear of men. Churches should be encouraged to equip their members, he said.
    Among returning speakers, Folger described the continuing war on Christianity. She cited recent incidents in colleges and business world. She said Christians are being targeted by HR 354, the “Hate Crime” legislation, as Congress seeks to silence the truth.
    Folger’s Faith2Action aims to air two 30-second commercials of Pennsylvania grandmothers who went to jail for the “hate crime” of sharing their faith on a public sidewalk in Philadelphia. They face 47 years in jail because that state’s hate crimes bill is identical to HR 254. A website has been established: www.StopHateCrimesNow.com
    Foster has been teaching and reclaiming America’s Godly heritage since 1976. A best-selling author and keynote speaker, Foster spoke about William Tyndale and the English Bible that changed the world. He said when the Bible comes in, liberty and freedom follows. Foster added that the problem in America is not politics, but Christians who don’t know the Word of God and who need to look into the Word. He plans to be in Jamestown, Va., this summer to celebrate its founding by Christian believers.
     Titus, of Baker City and a former University of Oregon law professor, said marriage is the heart of economic, moral and social values. He pointed out how Karl Marx sought to abolish the family and private property in a mistaken effort to achieve a fair and equal society.
    Titus said today’s battle is with the erosion of the family unit in America caused by pornography, criminal law reform, abortion, and no-fault divorces. Same-sex marriage is the ultimate effort to prevent the production of children, he said, and only covenant marriage between a man and a woman will produce the next generation.
    Cass said three things are needed for Christians’ spiritual arsenal in 2007. He said they should not be discouraged or scared and should spend less time listening to the mainstream media. He said they should be convinced of their cause and show great courage in spite of the church’s weaknesses. And, they should use their proven weapons and persevere, endure, and ultimately prevail. Prayer is the secret weapon as Christians go out and reclaim their community for Christ, Cass said.
    Scarborough reviewed the 2006 election, which found many Christians nationally doing nothing. He said they forgot their call and failed to show up in such places as Missouri, where stem cell research was on the ballot, and South Dakota, where an anti-abortion measure was considered by voters. The silence of the church was deafening, he said.
    Scarborough said now is not the time to quit. He said if 75 percent of Christians vote, their values will win. Vision America has begun a crusade called 70 Weeks to Renew America. From next July 4 to Election Day 2008, 70 crusades will call the church to moral renewal and action. He urged everyone to make it happen.
    Staver said religious morality is essential to good government. He listed some of the current legislation of concern to Christians — pastors silenced on moral issues, hate crimes, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, and civil liberties.
    Staver said there still is a lot to be optimistic about in America. There may be lots of challenges, but none take God by surprise. he said. Staver said God is looking for people to stand in the gap and to let faith impact the culture.
    David Crowe of Restore America concluded by thanking his staff and all the volunteers who made the conference possible. He showed slides of voting statistics in the 2006 election which found many Christians unregistered to vote and still others who failed to cast their ballots. Crowe said “the problem is us!”
    By popular demand, the conference will continue yearly, with the third event scheduled around the same time in 2008. Exact dates and location will be announced later this year. Visit www.RestoreAmerica.org for more information.