By Dr. Mark Creech
Christian Action League
August 1, 2022
Some people are unaware that before becoming executive director of the Christian Action League and a lobbyist in the North Carolina General Assembly, I had been a pastor for twenty years.
In the late nineties, I became increasingly burdened by the moral meltdown across America. In my opinion, worst still was the fact that Christians, even those in my church, seemed ill-equipped to navigate and address the social issues of our day effectively. So, I started to preach about them from the pulpit.
I thoroughly understood these matters were exceedingly controversial and how preaching on anything which smacked of politics might get me fired. But I was so constrained by the moving of God’s Spirit that I said, “If I perish. I perish” (Esther 4:16).
To my surprise, I found that the people in the pews were craving this kind of relevant proclamation of God’s Word. Attendance started improving at my church, and we had many visitors. God began opening one door after another to minister in this way.
First came the opportunity to write a regular religious column for the local newspaper, which the editor said significantly increased its number of subscriptions.
Second came a radio broadcast on three radio stations, which featured my commentary on politics according to the Bible.
Churches, political groups, various auxiliaries, and associations asked me to come and speak to them.
I found by addressing the political and moral climate of our time from God’s Word, just as the prophets of old had done, the Lord was giving me a platform for proclaiming Christ to the masses as never before.
Then, something completely unexpected happened. I received a phone call from the staff of Reclaiming America for Christ, a ministry headed by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy.
Dr. Kennedy wanted me to come to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the organization’s annual Reclaiming America for Christ Conference. They wanted to highlight my cultural engagement as a pastor and present me with an award as Reclaiming America’s 1999 Outstanding Pastor in America.
During a ceremony at the end of the conference, Dr. Kennedy presented me with the award, and two lawmakers from the North Carolina General Assembly were present. They introduced themselves and told me they were proud that a North Carolinian had received such a prestigious award. Unknown to me at the time, these legislators were active members of the Christian Action League’s Board of Directors.
Approximately six months later, one of the legislators and the Christian Action League president came to visit me to inquire if I would prayerfully consider taking the helm of the organization. Of course, the rest is history, and I have been the League’s director for nearly twenty-three years.
Besides lobbying for conservative Christian values in the state legislature, evangelizing, educating Christians, and getting them engaged in the political process, there is my speaking ministry. I readily admit that I am a preacher first. It’s what I love the most. All the other things I do are simply an extension of my call to proclaim the Gospel.
Before COVID traversed our state, wreaking its havoc and cruelly robbing thousands of their life and health, I usually had somewhere to preach almost every Sunday. Since COVID, however, my speaking engagements have decreased profoundly and are far from pre-COVID levels.
Connecting with the churches across the Tar Heel state is necessary for this ministry’s effectiveness in the public square.
Please forgive me if this seems presumptuous; I would relish an opportunity to come to your church to speak briefly about the Christian Action League’s ministry and then bless your congregation with a faithful and stirring message from the Bible.
Currently, my calendar is wide-open, with multiple dates available. If God answers my prayers, every Sunday would be filled with somewhere to speak. It could be a Sunday morning or evening service.
Still, it doesn’t have to be on a Sunday. It could also be a Wednesday, midweek service. Perhaps I could come and speak at a men’s meeting or a mission’s meeting.
I would always prefer to speak when the pastor is at the church. Nevertheless, pastors might consider calling on me to fill in for them when they need to be away.
How To Schedule a Speaking Engagement:
- Contact the office of the Christian Action League at 919.787.0606. If the call is not answered, please leave a voicemail, and someone will return your call promptly. You can also send an email to office@christianactionleague.org
- If a Motel is needed, please be prepared to provide one. Other accommodations such as staying in someone’s home is also acceptable.
- Please give ample time to speak and make the case. Time and much prayer have been made in preparation. If possible, please allow approximately 40 minutes.
- Last, if you would be so gracious, have your church take a love offering on the day of the speaking engagement.
When arranging a speaking date, only the minimum is asked because the League wants me to get into as many churches as possible. Moreover, I am eager to visit with you and your people.
If you are not a pastor or a key church leader, would you consider forwarding this letter to your key church leaders or pastor?
Thank you for considering this matter. I am genuinely excited about the possibility of being with you.
God Bless,
Dr. Mark Creech
Executive Director
Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
