Restore event draws raves, will become yearly   

By RICHARD KOE

    TUALATIN — Upwards of 600 attendees heaped raves and praises upon the speakers and speeches at the first-ever Restore Northwest America conference held March 3-4 at the spacious and new Rolling Hills Community Church campus.
     The positive reaction quickly prompted a decision later in the month to make the event an annual one. The next conference will be Feb. 23-24, 2007 at Rolling Hills.
     Numerous remarks like “superb, incredible, and best-ever conference” filled the attendees’ evaluation sheets following the debut event, and even the eight high-profile speakers added their accolades to the sessions..
     David Crowe, executive director for Lake Oswego-based Restore America, the conference sponsor, said the response was clear after Mat Staver, founder and senior counsel at Liberty Counsel, opened the conference by telling attendees that Christians are no longer silent in today’s political and cultural wars, and when they show up, they can win.
Attendees decided then and there that they wanted not just CDs of each message, but also DVDs to show their churches, families, and friends. Audio CDs and DVDs are still available through the Restore America web site, www.restoreamerica.org
     For two full days, attendees heard 16 messages, ranging from the impact of Christendom on cultures and governments through history, to the current spiritual and political battle raging in America through the courts, schools, media, government, and even churches. Now it’s up to Americans to decide which laws — God’s or man’s — will prevail, the speakers emphasized.

      The list of high profile speakers, in addition to Staver, included Rick Scarborough of Vision Amerca; Gary Cass, Center for Reclaiming America; Herb Titus, founding dean of Regent University School of Law; Marshall Foster, Mayflower Institute; Janet Folger, Faith2Action; Gary DeMar, American Vision; and Geoff Simmons, physician.
     They addressed significant topics such as the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, separation of Church and State, legislating from the bench,the criminalization of Christianity, winning the war on faith; Darwinian evolution and intelligent design; strategies to end legal abortion; and changing civil government.
     Crowe said America’s future depends upon the response and involvement of the body of Christ to restore civil government to the principles and values of the nation’s founders. He said the question is whether Christians will choose to take the lead in the battle for their children’s future, or remain passive and indifferent.
     In spite of conference organizers’ efforts to attract at least 500 pastors from Oregon and Washington to the meetings, only 10 attended. Crowe compared pastors who led the revolt against England at the time of America’s founding to Northwest pastors who are afraid to take the lead at a critical time in the nation’s future.
     E-mails and phone calls continued to pour into Restore America’s Lake Oswego offices days after the conference, telling a consistent story of God’s moving as a result of the meetings. Attendees, impacted by what they heard, have been invigorated and moved to action .
     More than 60 people filled out “Take Action” response forms, with 35 requesting to be Restore America ambassadors to their churches. Others are eager to volunteer to make phone calls, and more are reflecting God’s work in their lives as their eyes and hearts were opened at the conference, said Crowe.
     Crowe said an immediate and long-term goal is “Calling All Christians to Vote” with a 100 percent voter registration and turnout in every election in the state. He said the Oregon primary election on Tuesday, May 16 is the best opportunity for Christians to elect candidates that reflect their values and world view.
     Restore America suggests voter registration drives in local churches for three consecutive Sundays—Apr.il 9, 16, 23—before the voter registration cut-off on April 25. The drives should be simple, legal, and easy. Prayers and financial contributions from supporters will be needed to achieve the vision of motivating Christian voters.
     Another Restore America event this year will be a seven-day historical East Coast Heritage Tour for 50 people on Aug. 6-12, visiting Williamsburg and Jamestown, Va., Yorktown, and Washington, D.C.
     The family tour for parents and youth, age 10 and up, will be fully arranged and escorted by American Christian Tours. Restore America is partnering with DELTA Ministries and America’s Foundation to sponsor the tour. For more information, go to www.restoreamerica.org
     Restore America is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of America as a nation “under God.” Its mission is to provide people throughout America, including pastors, churches, business leaders, educators, elected officials, students and families, with an accurate understanding of this nation’s Christian history, founding principles, and citizenship responsibilities.
     Crowe said Restore America's vision is to enable and empower Christians to take a leadership role over the next 10 years in directing the moral, educational, and political course of their state and the nation. To contact Restore America, phone 503-639-7298 or write to P.O. Box 2225, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.