‘Stand Strong Together Conference’ in Charlotte
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
CHARLOTTE — Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, called on pastors and ministry leaders across the state to “break down that artificial wall that separates us from God and endeavor to restore a harmony of faith in every sphere of life” during his March 31 speech at the Stand Strong Together Conference in Charlotte.
Presented by Concerned Women for America of North Carolina, the event’s dozen or so featured speakers shared the common goal of “equipping pastors and the Church body to influence public policy from the pulpit to the public square.”
In examining the history of the church in America, Dr. Creech told the hundred-plus attendees at First Baptist Church Charlotte that the misrepresentation of the First Amendment as a “wall of separation between church and state” or as “freedom from religion instead of freedom of religion” had led to fear and intimidation of the clergy, “essentially quieting most, or deceiving them into various forms of the delusion that politics and religion should never mix.”
He said sadly, religion has been “placed at arm’s length from the government” and that to replace the resulting vacuum, “government has been installed as the sovereign power and benefactor of the nation.” Furthermore, he warned that if same-sex marriage is ever legalized in the state or nation, it will precipitate “an attack on religious liberty unlike anything this nation has ever experienced.”
Sheri Miller, CWA state director, said “Satan has lied to our pastors and our churches too long about the separation of church and state.”
“It was a privilege to hear Dr. Creech illuminate the listening audience with truth, exhorting pastors and the Church to stand as salt and light, to stand for Biblical truth and to defend the American Constitution, in the battle we face in 2012,” she said. “He reminded us that we are living in times that demand the prophetic voice of truth from the pulpit.”
Mary Frances Forrester, associate director of CWA of North Carolina, said the Rev. Creech’s message was well received and blended well with that of the other speakers, which included Dr. Mark Harris, president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina; Rep. Ruth Samuelson (R-Mecklenburg); Dr. Kenyn Cureton, vice president of Church Ministries at Family Research Council; Tami Fitzgerald, chairwoman of Vote FOR Marriage NC; Dr. Frank Turek, founder and president of Cross.Examined.Org; Mario Diaz, CWA legal counsel; Janet Critz, Council Member of Mineral Springs; Jessica Anderson, deputy political director of Heritage Action for America; and Forrester.
“Every one of the speakers gave a different perspective on the problems we face today in our culture and how it relates to the fact we have moved so far from its founding principles,” she added. “The conference was composed of outstanding representatives of patriotic Americans, patriotic meaning that each felt personally responsible, in his own way, for the fate of this nation as a democracy in a republic and not a social democracy. Mark received numerous indications of ‘agreement by applause’ for his statements in that regard.”
She went on to say that Dr. Creech has “an outstanding delivery and the ability to be dynamic with his facts and content.”
Miller said all the speakers offered clarity to the Marriage Protection Referendum that voters will entertain on May 8 to help reiterate to the audience the fact that the amendment will do one thing only — define and protect the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman in the State Constitution.
“Dr. Creech and the other speakers spoke with heartfelt faith, speaking the truth in love, that the Marriage Protection Amendment is not a partisan issue,” she said. “This is a moral and cultural issue.”
“Why aren’t more pastors speaking out?” the Rev. Creech asked in his speech. “I genuinely believe that if our nation is to be restored to its former greatness, it is the church that must lead the way.”