The hotel block for OSA/States of Refuge Nov. 2 – Nov. 6, 2013, has been confirmed! You can begin booking your rooms starting on Friday, August 16th. The special rate for OSA will be held until October 18th, so be sure to call and hold your room early! REMEMBER: WHEN YOU CALL, ASK FOR THE OSA BLOCK.
Baymont Inn & Suites Jackson
5709 I-55 North
Jackson, Mississippi 39206
601-206-1616
Once More to the Breach
“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
“Once more unto the breach” finds its origins from the “Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!” speech of Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act III, 1598. One of the most notable renditions of this speech was performed by Laurence Olivier in the classic 1944 film.
The historical breach in question was the gap in the wall of the city of Harfleur, which the English army sieged. Henry was encouraging his troops to attack the city again, even if they have to “close the wall with English dead.”
The modern day breaches are diverse, but one of the most egregious is child sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood. Most recognize this sin and crime as abortion. Last year Operation Save America embarked on a new national campaign called States of Refuge. The goal of this vision was to secure with God’s aid the first abortion Free State in America.
There are six states with one death camp remaining defiling our land. For the last year or so, we have invested much time, resources, finances and labor to seek God for the breakthrough that will prayerfully create a domino effect that would begin to liberate America from blood guiltiness one state at a time. The states are Arkansas, Mississippi, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, and Missouri. Some of these states with one abortion mill left are hanging by a thread and our liberation draws near. We plan on celebrating the first state set free with a national event in Washington DC. More on that later.
Typically, the Lord’s dealings with OSA is to send us into an area to plow up the hard ground, plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom, expose the unfruitful works of darkness, lead the church to the gates of hell, and watch the Lord perform His Word (Jeremiah 1:12). Sign and wonders have followed the faithful preaching of God’s Word. Many babies have been saved, souls converted, and death camps shut down.
I mentioned to Flip that it now appears that we are entering a different realm in our service to God. It appears the Lord is now going out before us. He is leading us where He Himself is going. Luke 10:1 states, “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also,and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”
Timeline
ABC Nightline News did a feature story on the last remaining abortion mill left standing in Mississippi. Brothers Cal Zastrow and Chet Gallagher, both States of Refuge leaders, were featured. The premise of the program was “Whose side is the Lord on?” Historically, this was the same question posed during America’s Civil War. Abraham Lincoln answered, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” That did not seem to help ABC discern whose side was honoring the God of the Bible or whose side was defying Him.
Predictably, ABC slanted the program. Those who murder babies are the caring, loving Christians, while those who seek to protect them are the mean spirited, nasty Christians. Once again, the world hears its own for they are united by a spirit of error (1 John 4:5-7).
A good Scripture I pondered after watching this interview was Titus 1:15, 16, which states, “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Both the owner and abortionist claim faith in Christ.
Rochester
While we were in Rochester storming the gates of hell at our national event, Brother Flip approached me. He was not convinced that we should go to North and South Dakota for our regional States of Refuge event. He wanted us to seek the Lord and consider other options. We agreed. We talked, discussed options, prayed and eventually turned our attention toward Jackson, Mississippi. All indicators seemed to be pointing in that direction.
On Wednesday, August 7th around 11 AM, Flip and I decided our next States of Refuge regional event would be in Mississippi. One hour and twenty minutes after that decision, we get this news report from the Clarion Ledger newspaper in Jackson, MS.
“Around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday an ambulance was called to the state’s only abortion clinic.
‘We understand that a female patient was taken by ambulance to UMC,’ said Dana Chisholm, president of Pro Life Mississippi.
The Clarion-Ledger reached out to Jackson Women’s Health Organization owner Diane Derzis but she declined to comment. (This woman boasted greatly on the ABC Nightline program and now her mouth is stopped)
The clinic is currently in the midst of a lawsuit fighting the Magnolia State’s law that says abortion clinics can employ only physicians with local hospital admitting privileges.
The clinic has tried but failed to comply with the law after all applicable hospitals denied their physicians admitting privileges.
In the meantime, the clinic is fighting the constitutionality of the new law in federal court in hopes to overturn the measure and stay open.
A federal judge has set an Aug. 15 status conference. U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan allowed the law to take effect last July 1, but he blocked the state from closing the clinic while the clinic tried to get admitting privileges.
Such privileges can be difficult to obtain, because hospitals often won’t give them to out-of-state physicians. The clinic uses out-of-state OB-GYNs, including one from Chicago.
Jordan ruled in April that the state can’t close Jackson Women’s Health Organization while the clinic still has a federal lawsuit pending.
The status conference in August will be done by telephone with U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Ball.”
This tragedy highlights what is at stake as the civil officials in Mississippi play fast and loose with the law. Babies are being murdered and women are being butchered while the legal wrangling continues. Prayerfully, the governor will rise up and enforce the law that was passed by the Mississippi legislature and put an end to that death camp, regardless of the federal lawsuit pending. If there was ever a time to interpose the lower magistrate doctrine, that time is now. If Mississippi stood ready to defend their Second Amendment rights against the federal beast, how much more should they be willing to defend the least amongst them?
Wait, that is not all. The very next day, we received this report:
New Woman, All Women abortion clinic closed
By Amber Roberson
“BIRMINGHAM, AL – The New Woman, All Women clinic in Birmingham has been closed.
According to court documents filed today, Judge Joseph Boohaker found that the facility meets the definition of an abortion or reproductive health center by Alabama law, and therefore is a hospital. It was also found to be operating without a valid license from the Alabama State Board of Health.
A permanent injunction was entered against Dr. Bruce Norman, preventing him from operating the facility as an abortion or reproductive health center.”
Who is Dr. Bruce Norman? He is the abortionist who works for Diane Derzis. She is the owner of the Alabama abortion mill that was mercifully shut down. Ironically, Norman was the abortionist that harmed the woman taken to the hospital at Diane Derzis other abortion mill she owns in Mississippi.
Wow, within 24 hours of deciding on going back to Mississippi all these events transpired. A coincidence? We will leave that to others to judge. In light of all this, however, we recently sent out a press release to announce our return to Jackson.
Press Release
August 8, 2013
For Immediate Release:
Another Woman Injured While Courts Delay Justice
Jackson Mississippi: On Wednesday August 7 another woman was injured and transported from Woman’s Health Center in Jackson Mississippi.
The Mississippi legislature passed new regulations for abortion clinics last year. The requirements are not over strict-only that the doctor committing the abortion, have admitting privileges to a local hospital in case a woman were injured. This is only reasonable care for women. The problem for the clinic is that local hospitals do not give admitting privileges to just anyone. Doctor’s must be licensed and reputable! The clinic failed repeated inspections but the courts blocked enforcement of this reasonable regulation and prevented the Department of Health from closing this clinic.
The legislature wants to protect women. The people of Mississippi want to end the killing of the unborn in their state. The courts are compromising the will of the people and endangering women by continually blocking enforcement of this legislation. It is time this stops! How many women must be injured before this court ceases its meddling?
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them”.Ephesians 5:11
Operation Save America will be returning to Jackson November 2-6 in continuation of the “States of Refuge” Campaign. There are six states that have only one abortion clinic and Mississippi is one. Gentle Christians have had “church” on the sidewalk at this clinic since the States of Refuge campaign started.
God is leading us back to Mississippi, hoping that He will hear our cry, heal our land and remove this curse from our land. Mississippi may be the first abortion-free state, a “State of Refuge” for all children.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
What: States of Refuge
Where: Jackson, Mississippi
Dates: Saturday, Nov 2- Wednesday, Nov 6
Contacts: Rev Flip Benham-980 722 4920
Rev. Rusty Thomas-254 715 3134
Rev Cal Zastrow-601 454 4819
(To schedule interviews) Dr. Pat McEwen (321) 431 3962
Flip and I will going to Jackson to spy out the land and support our two brothers, Cal Zastrow and Chet Gallagher, who have been brought up on bogus charges for ministering the Gospel at this last remaining death camp in Mississippi. There are local brethren who have also been charged and have court dates as well.
In regard to these court trials, Cal Zastrow wrote, “Johnny Brekeen, Ester Mann, and I are on trial for multiple arrests on Monday, August 19th. Knowing Jackson City Court, the opportunity for the judge to postpone our trials while we sit there and wait, is high. The security guard who pepper-sprayed us goes on trial Oct. 6. Chet gets arraigned for his two charges on Sept. 18th.
Brethren, mark the dates in November. There is still some unfinished Kingdom business in Jackson. We pray you plan on joining with us at this appointed time. Keep in mind, we are still seeking the first abortion free state by the end of this year. God willing, it will come to pass in Jesus’ mighty name!
Please be praying for all of us as we prepare the way toward our States of Refuge event November, 2-6, 2012, in Jackson, Mississippi, this year. ~ Flip
Dear friends,
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
After speaking with Pastor Doug Lane last week, we have decided to have a rally on Wed evening, September 18th, following my court trial being held in Jackson at 2:30 PM that afternoon. It will be a one night only OSA Rally with worship and the Word being proclaimed. I have contacted Ken Money at Wesleyan Biblical Seminary and today (or tomorrow at the latest) we expect him to confirm that venue for us on that night, probably from 6:30 to 9:00 PM.
It will be a wonderful time and since Flip and Rusty and I will be in town, the three of us and Pastor Doug saw it as an opportunity for us to encourage the saints in Jackson, to further promote and affirm the Pastors for Life Church on the Street schedule and to extend another invitation to the November States of Refuge/OSA Regional event.
Court Trials in Mississippi
Donned with Christian/pro-life clothing, Jesus is Lord buttons, and a rousing chorus of Stand up for Jesus hymn upon their lips, the accused entered Jackson, Mississippi’s city court. Rev. Flip Benham and I came to support and stand with Cal Zastrow, Ester Mann, and Johnny Breeken as they faced bogus charges.
Jackson’s finest has been at the beck and call of the abortion mill for years. In fact, a federal ruling in 2006 was introduced into evidence on Cal’s defense that rebuked the Jackson police department and warned them to cease and desist in their attempts to deny Christians their First Amendment Rights. It was clear during the trial the Jackson police ignored the restrictions.
After wading through the congested court docket, our three brethren faced the bench. Ester Mann and Johnny Breeken are locals, so the court decided to set their court trial for Nov. 25,2013. They are being charged with obstructing the sidewalk. The prosecutor decided last minute to amend the charges against Cal Zastrow and added the same charge. The judge allowed it and Cal ended up facing three charges. Since Cal is from Michigan the court graciously went forward with his trial. Many times, hostile courts knowing we are from out of state and the expense it takes to appear in court, purposely postpone the trial. They do it for one reason and that is to add to our burdens.
More witnesses were arrayed against Cal than any other case that day. Three police officers and two business owners testified against Cal. The business owners, like most Americans, were more concerned about the graphic pictures than they were the abortion mill was actually doing this evil act against children across the street.
Irony and hypocrisy knew no bounds in this trial. The prosecutor strained at gnats, (Your sign touched the ground, your chairs and ladder obstructed the sidewalk, and other petty concerns) while he swallowed camels, (He ignored the reality that babies are being murdered at the last remaining death camp in Mississippi). Tragically, the entire court system seemed oblivious to this incredible discrepancy.
Cal’s Lawyer, Steve Thorton, did a masterful job. When he cross examined the police officers and the business owners, he exposed their contradictions and inconsistencies. One of the most illuminating parts of the trial that reveal the sad state of affairs in our beleaguered nation, was the testimony of the police officers. Out of the three, one was honest, but misinformed as to the nature of the city ordinances that Cal supposedly violated.
Attorney Thorton when he cross examined the police officers, he asked them some basic questions concerning the date of their graduation, training, and the nature of the oath they swore before God to uphold. All three of them could not recall the nature of the oath that took as law enforcement officials. Attorney Thorton literally had to coax and grant them clues to remember their oath of office, which is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. None of them surrendered this information of their own accord. I took a similar oath in the military three decades ago and the oath still remains fresh with me. For whatever reasons, it was not so with these gentlemen.
Wait, it went from bad to worse. One of the officers was asked if he knew the provisions contained in the First amendment. He swore up and down that he did and yet could not name one of them. It was an extreme embarrassment for the prosecution. ChristianNews.net reporting on this situation stated:
“The attorney asked, ‘So, you’re familiar with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?’ [The officer replied,] ‘Oh yes,’” Zastrow recalled. “The attorney said, ‘Can you recall the themes-the main points of the First Amendment?’ The officer said, ‘Oh yes, I can.’”
“My attorney said, ‘Why don’t you tell the court what they are,’” he continued. “Well, I can’t recall all of them,’ the officer replied. ‘Okay, well, just tell us one point-just one thing that the First Amendment to the Constitution mentions,’ my attorney said. And the officer answered, ‘I guess I don’t know that right now.’”
“That was frightening,” Zastrow said. “He thinks he’s upholding the law, obeying the law and enforcing the law, but he doesn’t know any elements to the First Amendment to the Constitution
A nation facing tyranny and an ungodly dictator (Obama) desperately need law officials of this caliber to succeed. This is yet another casualty and violation of abortion. Our government is duped by Roe vs. Wade to defend the indefensible. If they refuse to protect life, stop the shedding of innocent blood, and defend the right to life, is it reasonable to expect they would defend the freedoms of those seeking to rescue those led away to slaughter?
If I was the trainer of the Jackson police academy responsible to teach officers the Constitution of the United States, retirement or seeking another job might be in order. I kept wondering what the judge was thinking after listening to these testimonies and discovering the federal document seeking to restrain the abuse of the Jackson police department. Her verdict answered the question. She dismissed two of the charges against Cal and the third one she said was “under advisement.” We should hear very soon her verdict on the last charge. Please pray for Cal and his family as they continue to press on in the battle.
Next month, Rev. Flip Benham and I will be heading back to court to stand with and support Brother Chet Gallagher. He has two charges arrayed against him for preaching on a public sidewalk. He recently sent this message out as he prepares for his defense:
Dear Friends,
Bless you in the Name above all names!
I’m writing to explain why I will not request an attorney to represent me after being arrested and charged criminally for “obstructing (preaching the Gospel upon) the public sidewalk” and “resisting (unlawful) arrest.”
We leave for Mississippi soon and perhaps some may wish to help with our travel expense to enable JoAnn to be with me in court. If so, “Thank you!” You can make a non-taxable donation here: (www.wepay.com/donations/chet-gallagher )
So why am I not using a lawyer? Y’Shua, when prophesying and instructing on the future arrests, trials and convictions of His disciples, gives us very specific instruction:
Mark 13:10-11
“And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
Am I against attorneys in all cases? No. We appreciate the help we have received from dozens of godly lawyers over the years. Steve Thornton, for example, who represented Cal Zastrow, just this week, exposed the inept, egregious and even “criminal” misconduct of a few Jackson, MS police officers. (Ephesians 5:11)
For me, this trial is an “in that hour” opportunity to believe and obey. Here a just a couple of reasons why:
His words are: “But WHEN they arrest you” …not IFthey arrest you. We don’t seek to be arrested but understand that our Messiah promised that this will be the consequence of “preaching the Gospel.” That is the context. Fearing arrests or doing all we can to avoid arrests could rob us of opportunities when the Holy Spirit would testify through us. (Acts 1:8)
2. I am inclined to “…worry beforehand, or premeditate what (I) will speak.” Should it be my prepared testimony and strategy presented in court or His? This time I’ll just accept that He meant what He said and choose to believe He will do what He says He will do “in that hour” both for His glory and for my good. At 2:30 PM on Sept 18th pray that “whatever is given (me) in that hour” that it will not be me who speaks, “but the Holy Spirit.”
A criminal conviction with additional jail time for preaching publicly and passively resisting police tyranny may be His plan and purpose. Honestly…I hope it isn’t, but even if believing and obeying Him in some matters seems strange…even risky…it’s still all about Him and the cross we’re privileged to bear. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship wrote, “Those who believe, obey; those who obey, believe.”
Jesus said in John 14:15: “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” We love Him, believe Him and are simply seeking to obey His commandment in this matter. In closing, two of His commandments come to mind:
· John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Thanks for loving us and allowing us to share this with you.
· Matthew 28:20: (“Part B” of the Great Commission) “…teaching themto observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
We do hope to see you soon in Mississippi, if not for my trial on September 18, then certainly for the Regional States of Refuge event November 2nd.
Link to video of my arrest in Mississippi here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1BUXNZUIcs
All I can add to Chet’s message is to reinforce his invitation to come to Mississippi for our States of Refuge regional event scheduled from Nov. 2-6. Perhaps soon, Mississippi will make history by becoming the first abortion Free State in America. With the obedience of God’s Church and the help of heaven, nothing is impossible in Jesus’ name!
