 |
Miracle Valley Newsletter |  |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greetings! Some of the things you will read in this email will no doubt seem so preposterous to your mind that surely they cannot be true. Nevertheless, they are very real indeed. America is in trouble and God is our only Answer. Dr. Melvin Harter
(Above recent picture is Dr. & Mrs. Harter and their son, Nathan. Nathan just arrived home for a few weeks from serving 2 years active duty in South Korea and who is now preparing to leave for Iraq on 12/15. The Harters are seen here preparing to go before a Hearing Officer regarding issues concerning Miracle Valley.) Gene Martin used to sing a song in the A. A. Allen Revival Campaigns entitled, "Troubles In The Land Will Soon Be Over." We certainly look forward to that day. Two months after Dr. Harter arrived at Miracle Valley, he was asked by certain officials, "What are you going to name this place?" Even though the campus was established in 1958 and named Miracle Valley Training Center, a few years later, the Allen Ministry renamed it, Miracle Valley Bible College. In 1976, the Assemblies of God gained control of the Allen property and renamed the campus Southern Arizona Bible College. This name remained with the school for more than twenty years. The property changed owners again in 1999 when Melvin Harter Ministries obtained it. Dr. Harter really had not given much thought at the time regarding the aspect of naming the college. He thought for a moment after being presented with this question - God said, "Go down to Miracle Valley and build My Bible College." If God called it Miracle Valley, then that is what I shall name it - Miracle Valley Bible College & Seminary.
(Pictured above is Dr. Harter as he prepares to sit down at the Cochise County Board of Adjustment Meeting.) The issue at the BOA is whether a childcare center is an accessory use of a church? The BOA decided it was not. Since naming the campus Miracle Valley Bible College & Seminary, unprecedended attacks of Satan have been occured. Legal battles have been waged.
(Above picture shows religious services are being conducted in the now fully-opened large Allen Tabernacle.) Dr. Harter was fined $9,655 by a Hearing Officer because he permitted Overnight Guest Accommodations at Miracle Valley Bible College and for having Revival Services for the Minutemen without obtaining a "Temporary Use Permit" from Cochise County Planning & Zoning Department. The fundamental difference betweeen Dr. Harter and James Vlahovich, Director of the Cochise County Planning & Zoning Department is in the aspect of the functions of the Christian Church. County officials contend that no Church should be given preference or treated differently from anyone else in a community. If the county officials can declare that childcare centers, Bible Colleges, etc. are not recognized as accessory uses of the Church, then what difference is there between another childcare center or school that is located down the street? According to the county, there is none. Therefore, Miracle Valley would be required to pay real estate taxes just like everyone else does in the area. However, they often forget that Churches are still exempt from real estate taxes and can have uses that are accessory outside of normal worship service times. It is especially wrong when county officials regulate revival and other religious services. Cochise County, AZ regulates revival services and other religious activities on church property. Officials may have jurisdiction regarding building codes and safety issues, but they have absolutely no authority regarding the Church when it comes to religious matters. This is the err of the Cochise County officials. If these certain individuals get their way, Miracle Valley will be taxed or else done away with forever. It really appears that the county officials have won or will win their case against Dr. Harter and the Church. But like most people, they too have left GOD out of the situation.
FROM DR. HARTER Dear Christian Friends & particularly those who love Miracle Valley, We have a great attorney who is doing a splendid job for Miracle Valley. However, his office has informed me that we owe a balance of $2,956.63. They must be paid in full by this coming Tuesday, November 8. Unfortunately, if he does not receive our payment, he will not be able to file the special action in our behalf. We go before the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on November 22 and legal documents must be filed immediatley. Now, we have absolutely no funds at this time. We literally operate on faith day after day. However, I believe that just as God has called me to Miracle Valley (and I am doing my best), God has called others to stand alongside of me. I desperately need your financial help. Our office accepts VISA and MASTER CARD as well. If you feel led of the Lord to stand with us, would you PLEASE CALL ME at (520) 366-1000 right now or PERSONALLY CALL SISTER HARTER at (520) 366-5559 and make the best donation you can so we can proceed in our legal matters. Now if you can do nothing financially, (and we do not wish to put anyone under a burden,) will you at least pray for us that God will make the way somehow? I know that God will because He always does. But it really does get difficult when you live with it day after day. We have no financial institutions or supporters backing us. To those who know us and have visited with us here at Miracle Valley, you fully realize that Sister Harter & I have given our all to Miracle Valley. There is nothing more we can do. Right now, we need your help. Remember, no donation is too small. PLEASE MAKE YOUR CALL TODAY. Thank you and God bless you. - Dr. Harter
(The above picture shows the Holy Ghost falling upon the people under Dr. Harter's preaching ministry.) Dr. Harter has appealed to US Senators from Arizona, however, to no avail. Last week, after prayer, he felt led to contact Washington, DC. There was nothing else to do. Dr. Harter believes that according to the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Admendment I - "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; of the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Praise God! The good news is that, after Dr. Harter's recent conversation with Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division - Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination from the Office of the Assistant Attorney General of the United States has requested copies of all legal documents and correspondence between Cochise County Planning & Zoning Department and Miracle Valley. Our staff is now preparing copies of these documents to be overnighted to the Federal Government. Cochise County officials have denied Dr. Harter and Miracle Valley their First Amendment rights by placing "REVIVALS" under Cochise County Rules & Regulations - 1817.03 - F. Events of Public Interest and requiring Miracle Valley to obtain a "Temporary Use Permit" from Cochise County Planning & Zoning Department Likewise, County officials may be breaking a federal law konwn by the name RLUIPA which deals with religious land uses. If so, county officials involved could be facing severe consequences. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
