Border Sheriff's Posse

WEEK OF 6-22-08 THROUGH 6-28-08

REASON - CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTIONAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

FOCUS -- WED JUNE 25 -- 10 AM-12 NOON PACIFIC TIME
STATEWIDE PASTORS CONFERENCE CALL

This is more than calling for prayer coverage. This is praying into the plans of God for the Body of Christ in California to take their place spiritually for the future of California and the nation. This is part of shifting California and the Nation.

The Church is finding its corporate Voice and taking a united stand for Christ-honoring truth.

See at the bottom an email that can be forwarded to Pastors and Leaders.

We are calling for those around the world to join with us. So please forward to any you feel appropriate.

We are calling for a specific prayer focus for the leadership as well.

Pray for thorough and correct information.

Pray for the tone of voice to be right - firm but loving.

Pray for a preciseness and precision with delivery.

Pray for consistency and steadfastness in the message - not flinching under pressure.

Pray for a clear message that connects with those that would desire Truth.

Pray for the terminology of "Upholding marriage as between a man and woman" versus negative language to lead in the headlines and bylines of news reporting and grab hold of the people to use as they spread God's message through California.

THE "GOD WORDS" NEED TO MULTIPLY.

Pastors and churches are continuing to be added as the word goes out.

Feel free to send us revelations and scriptures and we will share as needed.

If you are interested in updates, email "Request Updates" to uohip@cox.com.

The call for apostolic intercession - Col 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

Blessings,

Judy and Keat Wade, co-directors
Uniting Our Hearts In Prayer
San Diego
uohip@cox.net
www.spiritedpen.com

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From: Protect Marriage CA [mailto:ProtectMarriageCA@4sd.net]
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 11:03 PM

An Urgent Letter to Every California Pastor and Christian Leader
Importance: High

June 14, 2008

Dear Pastors, Friends and Christian Leaders,

We have labored to make this letter as short as possible. However, the gravity of this moment caused us to need to share several critical items. Please read carefully - at least this first page.

The landscape of California will change dramatically as of Monday, June 16 at 5:01 PM. Every Bible believing pastor and church will be affected.

STATEWIDE CONFERENCE CALL
Please join with pastors and Christian leaders all across California who are coming together at 43+ locations for a statewide Pastors Strategic Conference Call, Wednesday, June 25, at 10 AM.

Here are the locations currently confirmed from which you can choose:
Alhambra - Los Angeles Chinese Alliance Church
Alta Loma - Crosslight Family Ministries
Azusa - Azusa Pacific University - Graduate School of Theology
Bakersfield - Canyon Hills Assembly of God
Chino Hills - Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
Chula Vista - La Comunidad Christiana
Corona - Crossroads Christian Church
Crestline - First Baptist Church
Diamond Springs - Calvary Chapel Placerville
El Centro - Christ Community Church
Encinitas - El Camino Christian Church
Escondido - St. Mary Catholic Church
Fresno - Cornerstone Church
Fullerton - Eastside Christian Church
Glendale - Bethel Assembly of God
Huntington Beach - Refuge\Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach
La Mesa - Skyline Church (Host Location)
Lakewood - Emmanuel Church
Lancaster - Central Christian Church
Lompoc - The Village Chapel
Long Beach - Calvary Chapel North Long Beach
Los Angeles - Bethany Baptist Church
Oceanside - New Venture Christian Fellowship
Paso Robles - The Revival Center
Porter Ranch - Shepherd of The Hills
Porterville - Porterville First Church of the Nazarene
Riverside - St. Andrew Orthodox Christian Church
Sacramento - Fourteenth Avenue Baptist Church
Sacramento - Riverside Wesleyan Church
San Diego - Clairemont Christian Fellowship
San Diego - Midway Baptist Church
San Jose - Venture Christian Church
San Luis Obispo - Mercy Church
Santa Maria - First Church of God
Santa Rosa - Santa Rosa Nazarene Church
Shasta Lake - Fountain Ministries World Outreach
Stockton - Trinity Baptist Church
Susanville - Grace Fellowship Church
Temecula - Trinity Lutheran Church
Temecula - Mountain View Community Church
Vacaville - Crossroads Christian Church
Victorville - Gate Church of the High Desert
Wildomar - Beracah Faith Ministries International
(More to be added)

If you, as a pastor, are willing to host a gathering of pastors and Christian leaders at your church, or if you know of a pastor who will host, contact Chris Clark at pastor@eastclairemont.com or 858-395-7136. You need to have speaker-phone capability that can be adequately amplified, along with PowerPoint capabilities for visual purposes.

Additionally, please forward this email to as many pastors and Christian leaders as you can or reply with the email addresses of pastors and Christian leaders so that we can keep them informed of future developments.

(NOTE: If you have no time to read more, thank you for reading this far. Please skip to the final two paragraphs and sign up to attend or host a location.)

This statewide conference call will be audio only, although we are attempting to provide each site with PowerPoint visuals to make the conference more "informationally friendly." Be assured that the information shared will be extremely beneficial for the future of the cause of Christ in California. Saying it another way, it is worth canceling all other appointments in order to be present at one of these locations.

LEGAL REALITIES
In a few days, the impact of four California Supreme Court judges will be felt throughout our state. Since things will "feel the same" (no lightning, thunder, earthquakes - likely), the naysayers will say, "See, we told you, it isn't the end of the world."

However, there is much more subterranean activity than there is on the surface. Your role - as a Christian pastor in this state - will have changed and it will have changed significantly. We have from now until the November elections to alter this.

RESPONSE OF THE GAY COMMUNITY
A "Joint Advisory" was sent out by nine organizations (GLAD [Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders], Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, GLAAD [Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation], the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the ever present ACLU) cautioning their members not to launch lawsuits now. Not yet, at least.

(see Joint Advisory)

The language of the document is obvious: They are instructing their members to lay low, and not stir up trouble now. In essence, they know they can sue.  But do it later. They openly admit that suing now will set their cause back (see their document). In other words, they know that they have the legal advantage on this one. But if they use it, and press the issue, this will inform the "mushy middle" (people who indecisive on this issue) of exactly what has happened, and it could affect the outcome of the California Constitutional Marriage Amendment in November.

WHAT DOES THIS RULING MEAN?
How does the California Supreme Court ruling affect pastors? Are we forced to perform marriages for homosexual couples? Are we forced to rent our church buildings to homosexual couples who want to get married?

One large, highly visible church in the greater LA area received a call from a prominent LA newspaper.  The reporter wanted to know if the church was ready to perform homosexual marriages. The pastor was not available so the person who took the call responded, "No comment." Agitated, the hostile reporter said, "I'll call back June 17 (the day after the ruling takes effect) and will ask you if you will marry homosexual couples."

After talking with attorneys, there are several things emerging:
(1) On page 117 of the California Supreme Court ruling, it exempts pastors, stating the following: "Finally, affording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 4.);"
(2) However, before you breathe a sigh of relief, I quote what one person wrote to me this morning: "This decision has to be viewed within the matrix of California's existing laws that cover individuals within a 'protected' class.'" Regretfully the same court that affirmed this protection could take it away;
(3) There are numerous Christian legal organizations and attorneys who are willing to defend you pro bono should the need arise;
(4) We are not given to a spirit of fear;
(5) We must be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matt 10:16), and
(6) We need thorough and correct information.
Bottom line: at our June 25 Statewide Pastors Conference Call, Christian attorneys will instruct and guide us on these issues.
In addition, we will cover the strategy for preparing for (and winning) the California Constitutional Marriage Amendment vote in November. This is a winnable war. And, unfortunately, the freedom to proclaim the Gospel hinges on the outcome of this election.

FASTING AND PRAYER
One of the things I am most excited about is our upcoming 40 Day Statewide Fast, from September 25 to November 2. Individuals may fast portions or all of the 40 days, as they are led, or they may fast in "relays" as teams.

A culmination of this 40 day period will be THE CALL (see the event in Washington, DC at www.thecall.com). THE CALL CALIFORNIA will be held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Saturday, November 1, from 10 AM to 10 PM - involving men and women of God from every denomination - all united to create a climate of ongoing prayer and fasting in our state and across the nation. We will cover many details regarding prayer and fasting in the June 25 statewide conference call. In our hearts, we know that what is really needed is more than a voting victory in November. What is needed is revival and an avalanche of Holy Spirit-given evangelism. That is why we pray.

MEDIA PRESENCE
Some County Clerk's offices are staying open late on Monday, June 16, to accommodate marrying homosexual couples. Others will begin the process Tuesday morning, June 17. This event is an opportunity for Christian pastors to be "in the mix" and speak out in the media.

If (and I repeat "if") you are (1) called of God to do it (don't do it if you are not called by Him), and (2) if you are inherently media savvy, and (3) if you truly know the key issues upon which to focus for a secular audience, and (4) if you will not be inflammatory in your language, but loving in both speech and demeanor, then may I recommend you to go to your respective County Clerk's office on Monday evening or Tuesday morning - or both. Hand your card to media personnel and let them know who you are and that you are willing to make comments. For the most part, they do prefer to attempt to present "opposing views."

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being firm, but loving. If you appear to be scared or angry or portraying "hate," then that will be trumpeted by the anti-biblical crowd. It is imperative that we are as loving as Christ, while not flinching under pressure. My suggestion, do not go if you feel you cannot follow the four principles above.

GUIDELINES FOR MEDIA
I have done over 300 interviews (some of them under hostile conditions), so may I share a couple of points of advice? They are:
1. Put a "smile in your eyes" (seriously - try to do this when on camera).
2. Know the key points - clearly - backwards & forwards (see below).
3. If you are asked a question that is "off message" - gently direct it to "on message" in your answer.
4. If a question is asked in an hostile fashion, smile and answer calmly and slowly. Remember, a soft answer does turn away wrath.
5. Never, never raise your voice; talk calmly - reflecting the peace of Christ.
6. Don't quote Bible verses to a secular audience (which will be the case in media interviews); make your case based on Christ-honoring truth, but avoid quoting verses unless that is the nature of the question.