Friends:

A BAPTIST CHURCH THAT FLUNKED THE TEST Last Sunday April 27th PROJECT STRAIT GATE

Visited The First Baptist Church of Tempe AZ, which has about 900 members.  It is small and close to the street so the five of us was an ideal number.   Those close to walkways had many conversations with members who came out reflecting various attitudes.  A youth director stayed for thirty minutes discussing our views, especially on the military, for which he is eligible and considering. 

Several older deacons and elders resented the vigil.  Two business people who happened to know this writer personally, totally shocked to see me there, came together and asked us to leave, stating their church is the most socially conscious and activist church in town and we were giving it a bad name by holding up signs that “seemed to accuse them of something.”  A four-foot square sign stating “CHRISTIAN RACISM KILLS,” seemed to concern them.  

We responded to this pair that we would be happy to get out of the heat and go to breakfast, or even join their services, if the First Baptist Church could pass a four question quiz, which we would administer on the spot.  Here are the questions we asked the two:

1. “Did your pastor tell the congregation the bombing of Iraq is a moral issue that each member must consider on Biblical grounds?” (Answer was, “We do not recall hearing this.”)

2. “Did the pastor tell the congregation that every one of our millitry recruits is a paid employee and each is therefore morally responsible for the acts they perform, even if ordered to do so?” (Answer same as #1)

3.”Did your pastor advise the congregation to examine the statements of our President in light of the words of Jesus about peace, war and treatment of enemies before conforming themselves to the president s demand for unquestioned support?” (Answer same as #1.)

4.”Did your pastor inform the congregations that the church considers the modern political State of Israel to be the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy?”  (Answer absolutely “yes”)

This pastor did not get a passing score.  According to his congregation all four answers are inadequate or wrong.  So we informed my irritated friends we had no moral choice but to stay out in the 90-degree sun and do our best to influence the congregation as to the scriptural answer to these four questions.

The Southern Baptist Convention will be at the Phoenix Convention Center on June 17 and 18. We need large support to greet these thousands of pastors who God is delivering to our very door.

I am appealing to each of you to find a way to be with us Sunday at this mega-church on the west side.  It is situated so that we need to cover seven or eight entrances, so please come.  Tom Cotter is now taking charge of the Arizona projects, so please keep his address.

Summer is approaching in Phoenix.  We will be reducing the number of vigils to two a month, but we need you to put on your hat, bring your water and tough it out for an hour or two at the most.  

We will do at least one more vigil in late May and two in scorching June because there are still 3 or 4 mega-churches that have not seen us.  They need us and we must stay in training, this is a mind over matter exercise.  I know it takes courage and I admire you for coming when you want to stay in bed.

Strait Gate is going to San Diego on May 8-11 to cover the Billy Graham crusade at the Padre Stadium.  Anyone who can come will be appreciated.

This writer has been asked to speak at the annual conference of The American Free Press on June 19-21 in Washington DC, and I will probably also be in Newark NJ for a yet to be scheduled speech on that same trip.  I will also appear on the Tom Valentine Radio show at 6:00 PM on June 18, the same day as the Baptist convention.  Those who want more information should write.