“Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war” (Proverbs 20:18).
What an adventure the annual leadership meeting turned out to be for Operation Save America. Leaders from all across America braved the ice storm as they made their way to Kannapolis, NC to discuss the New Year and storm the gates of hell. There is great glory when the saints get together to love God and serve His purposes. Though there were many obstacles to overcome, our time in North Carolina proved beneficial.
The traveling, however, was still treacherous. Most of the time the highway was a parking lot with little or no movement. Thousands of abandoned cars and trucks were scattered along the Interstate. Some of them parked on the actual highway lanes in all directions. Several trucks and trailers jackknifed and there were several accidents. A lot of people were stranded, hunkering down in their cars, convenient stores, and other places. To God be the glory, the OSA saints pressed on and made it safe to fulfill our appointed time together.
MINISTRY TIME
The ministry of God’s word, as usual, was rich. We feasted upon God’s truth to renew our devotion to Him and the just cause to end the American holocaust. Rev. Flip Benham, Pastor Keith Tucci, and other anointed men of God addressed the gathering to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. We discussed our national event in New Orleans from July 19-26, 2014, the States of Refuge campaign, and two new ministry opportunities. More on that later. We enjoyed great fellowship, meals, and outreaches on the streets of North Carolina.
STREET ACTIVITIES
Our time together also consisted of taking the Gospel of the Kingdom to the highways and byways as our Lord commanded. Each morning we split up into teams and went to different gates of the city. The first morning we went to two high schools. We set up signs, passed out Christian/Pro-life literature, and preached the Gospel on portable sound systems. The first school had limited access to the students, but we did the best we could under the circumstances.
The second school afforded us greater access to the students and for the most part we were well received. Very few students refused the tracts. The police, however, were called out and gave some of our preachers a warning about the city’s sound ordinance. Everyone, except one, for some reason I was not included in the warning.
I was a couple of minutes into the message explaining why we were there at the high school, when a police officer noticed the sound system. My text was Romans 6:23, which states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The essence of the message connected the signs we held to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first sign we showed was the picture of Malachi, which means, “My messenger.”
This sign revealed the horrific reality of abortion. It demonstrated the graphic nature of this cruel act perpetrated by the sin and crime of abortion against children made in God’s image. In this, we witnessed the wages of sin, which is death.
On the other hand, we held live baby signs, which revealed the “gift of God is eternal life.” One sign points out what happens to a nation that violates God’s laws. It is ugly, horrible, and leads to death, both physical and eternal. The other sign points out what happens to nations that honor God’s law. It is beautiful.
Once the police officer saw me, however, he turned on his lights, whipped his car around, jumped out, and aggressively moved towards the portable sound system. He ripped it from my hands and without a warning wrote up a citation. Apparently, he was upset about our presence at the high school. After receiving the citation, I shook his hand and blessed him in the name of the Lord.
The citation demanded a return on March 6th for a court trial. Instead of making the long trip back to North Carolina, I opted to pay a fine. In the long run, it was a much cheaper option, though the injustice remains.
The next day our teams went to two death camps and three neighborhoods of abortionists. The Scriptures teach, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Exposure became the order of the day. We exposed the truth and love of God to those lost in sin, darkness, and despair at the death camps. We also exposed the abortionists in their neighborhoods. The saints came back with many testimonies on how the Lord used our feeble attempts to love our neighbor as ourselves, advance the Kingdom, and expose this grave evil to set the captive free.
There was no small stir on our team, which consisted of Doc Johnston, his precious family, and a new couple who joined us at our leadership meeting. The couple set up signs at the entrance of the neighborhood, while Doc’s children passed out flyers in the neighborhood. Doc and I went to the abortionist, Jimmy Isaac Newton’s home. Unfortunately, he was not at home.
While Doc wrote a note to him calling him to repent and provide a way out through the Gospel to end his sinful activity of child murder, I noticed a couple filming us. After we went back to his home and dropped off the note, we addressed the couple. We explained why we were there and the man responded, “Go back to Virginia from whence you came.” We responded, “How do you know we are from Virginia.” Doc told him that he was from Ohio and I was from Texas. From there, we ministered the Gospel to them. As we preached, we both became aware that the man was brandishing a gun. Interestingly enough, the Gospel proved more powerful than the gun. They ran off telling us that they had called the police. Instantly, we became the church on the run. We packed up everybody and made it back safely to the camp for more meetings. Thanks be to God!
BOMBSHELL
“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man” (Proverbs 20:6)?
About a month prior to the leadership meeting, brother Flip called me. We exchanged some small talk for awhile and then Flip got to the main reason for his call. Though I heard what he was saying, it was difficult to comprehend. I had to ask him to repeat what he was communicating to me. Even then, it was hard to except what he was saying.
In the middle of our time together at our leadership meeting, Brother Flip Benham dropped the bomb he mentioned to me in our conversation previously. Though I knew was coming, it still took my breath away. Flip announced that after 20 years of faithful service he was stepping down as national director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America.
The response in the room was similar to mine. Some could hardly believe it, while others choked back the tears. Others suspected this day would come, but still struggled with the reality that Flip was stepping down.
During my conversation with Flip prior to the meeting, he also asked me to take his place as national director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America. To be honest, the thought never entered my mine. For twenty years, the Lord called me to be a friend to Flip and serve him as assistant director. My only purpose was to stay faithful to the Lord in that capacity.
After he announced this to the leaders, he had me address the gathering. I have not to this point accepted the position, but asked the leaders to join me in prayer and then call me with their counsel. This report is now going out to a greater audience and my request remains. Would you please pray for Flip, OSA, and my family as we seek the Lord’s will in this crucial matter.
Our national event in New Orleans, LA from July 19-26, will be the last event Flip will lead the charge as national director of OSA. I admonish everyone who has been a part of OSA in times past to please try and make it to New Orleans. The Bible says we should give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). It is proper and fitting that we honor the man of God who has stood so faithful in the battle for the souls of men, the lives of children, and the future of our nation. Hope to see you there.
FIELD MANUAL FOR ABORTION MINISTRY
Clearly, the Lord is on the move as death camps are being shut down at a record pace. More and more good soldiers are rising up to confront the evil of abortion to end it in their cities and states. In this we rejoice, but many are in need of understanding as it pertains to the nature of the battle and the intense spiritual warfare that ensues once they take on one of Satan’s crown jewels, which is child sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood.
To help meet the need, I’m writing a booklet called Field Manual for Abortion Ministry. It is designed to help give an understanding to the nature of the battle that rages in our day. It seeks to answer a profound question. How can we overcome the retaliation of the Evil One when he seeks to neutralize, paralyze, and discourage us in the battle for the souls of men, the lives of children, and the future of our nation.
The need for this is great. Men of God have been calling and writing needing guidance as they take the Gospel of the Kingdom to the gates of hell. They are facing all kinds of animosity and need help to stay faithful to what the Lord has called them to without suffering ship wreck in their lives, families, and churches.
I’m just about finished with the rough draft. The sub-title of the booklet reads, “How to stay faithful in the battle, without destroying yourself and others.” Chapters include, The Battle from Within and Without, The Battle and History, Clash of Worldviews, Be Not Ignorant of Satan’s Devices, The Battle and the Individual, The Battle and the Family, The Battle and the Church, The Battle and the Death Camp, The Battle and the Deathscorts, The Battle and the Police, The Battle and the Culture, The Battle and the Media, and Bonus Article.
Once I’m finished doing the rough draft, I’ll pass it to my lovely bride, Kendra, to edit. Once that is completed, we will submit it to our printer for publication. It will be posted on our websites, sent out as an email alert, and posted on facebook. Hard copies will be made available as well. There will be no charge, but donations will be accepted to cover shipping and handling.
It looks like the price to put this altogether for the first run will be $1,000.00. I’m hoping to have about 500 hard copies available to send out. If interested in helping to underwrite some of the expense of this project send your offerings to Elijah Ministries, P.O. Box 3126, Waco, TX 76707. Thank you! By God’s grace, perhaps he can take the
many lumps on my head, failures, and scars of battle to be a consolation unto others.
THE ANSWER
If you read the first part of our newsletter, you know that brother Flip Benham is stepping down as national director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America. Our national event in New Orleans this July will be the last time he leads the charge. You also know that he asked me to replace him. After two months of wrestling with the Lord in prayer to discern his will, about a week ago I contacted brother Flip with my answer. I said, “Let’s do this.”
Thanks to all of you who prayed and encouraged me with godly counsel. Everything that came in the wake of seeking the Lord was green lights. In obedience to the Lord’s will, I’m submitting to his call upon my life. Now more than ever we would greatly appreciate your prayers and support as we press on to the high call and prize in Jesus’ name! Here is OSA’s announcement.
Rusty Thomas to Become the New Director of Operation Save America
As you may have already gleaned reading this newsletter, Flip will be passing the mantle of the Directorship of OSA to Rusty Thomas during our National Event in New Orleans this summer. He is stepping aside but not away from the vision and mission of this ministry.
It is simply time for another to take his place and move us further up and further into the Kingdom of God. “There is a time for everything…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Rusty has heard the call and, after seeking God and the counsel of many, has graciously accepted it as from God Himself, though he did not seek it, nor expect it, nor did the thought ever cross his mind. Pray for Him!
IN KING JESUS’ SERVICE,
Rusty, Kendra, and Thomas Nation
Elijah Ministries
P.O. Box 3126
Waco, TX 76707
Email: rusty@elijahmin.com or mail@statesofrefuge.org
Websites: www.elijahmin.com www.operationsaveamerica.org
www.statesofrefuge.org
