By Clint Pollard – Editor
Blue Ridge Christian News
More than 150 pastors, concerned citizens and elected officials attended a rally in support of the NC Marriage Amendment in Icard recently. Mark Meadows, candidate for Congress from the 11th Congressional District, sponsored the Saturday morning event.
Meadows pledged support for the measure, explaining that he will not compromise on God’s institution of marriage. “My political consultants tell me I shouldn’t talk about it; the issue is just ‘too hot’. Well, I’m here to tell you that I believe when we stand for truth God is honored! I pray that North Carolinians send a message to those who would undermine our faith, our values, and our families,” he said. “And everyone here, each one of us, shares that burden,” Meadows stated. The candidate also recognized and thanked Senators Ralph Hise and Warren Daniel for their help moving the ballot initiate forward.
The enthusiastic crowd heard an opening appeal from Jim Jacumin, former Burke County Senator, who said, “God’s people are in business for themselves in this fight. We lost prayer in our schools, we lost the abortion tragedy, we can’t afford to surrender our marriages. Remember that ordinary people, like us, can do extraordinary things in God’s name. And God is counting on us in this battle.”
Tami Fitzgerald, Chairwoman of Vote FOR Marriage NC, warned the attendees, “Legislatures and activist judges in other states have redefined marriage to make it ‘genderless’. We the people, not politicians, must protect the definition of marriage in North Carolina.” She invoked Scripture, Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Mary Frances Forrester, wife of deceased lawmaker Jim Forrester, reminisced about her husband’s commitment to the one man-one woman marriage amendment. “Since 1995, Jim focused much of his energy on having this amendment put on the ballot and before the voters,” she explained. “I believe this is God’s timing and that our voices matter.” Addressing opposing points-of-view, Mrs. Forrester said, “This is not about us hating anyone. In fact, I believe harboring hate and anger against another is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. We just need to speak the truth, in love.”
Mrs. Forrester has a long association with Concerned Women for America (http://nc.cwfa.org), which claims to be the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization helping members apply Biblical principles to all levels of public policy.
The NC Marriage Amendment will appear on the ballot May 8th.
This story was used by permission of the Blue Ridge Christian News.
Photos used by courtesy of the Blue Ridge Christian News.