Tipping Point Summit for Pastors and Church Leaders! Coming September 10th!

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Michael Anthony, lead pastor of Grace Fellowship of York, Pa., in partnership with the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, a state chapter of American Pastors Network (APN), is planning the Tipping Point Summit, a half-day event in York that will mobilize, energize and equip pastors and church leaders to address the most critical issues of the day from the pulpit.

The September 10 Tipping Point Summit is free to attend, either in York, PA, or via live-stream. The event seeks to create a grassroots effort among a non-denominational and diverse group of Bible believers who are coming together in unity to deal with the urgency of the times and helping to demonstrate how pastors can step up as cultural leaders, especially in this critical election year.

“As we watch headlines unfold about violence, terror and policies that break down the family and the church, there is perhaps no more crucial time for pastors and church leaders across the nation to truly step up and take an active role in serving as a catalyst for culture change,” said Gary Dull, PPN executive director, who will serve as the moderator for the event. “Here in Pennsylvania, the Tipping Point Summit on September 10 in York will do just that. This intense half-day of energy, motivation and empowerment will have pastors leaving ready to change their way of preaching, their churches, their communities and the world.”

WHO: Pennsylvania Pastors Network and Grace Fellowship of York
WHAT: Tipping Point Summit
WHERE: 1405 Seven Valleys Road, York, Pa. 17408
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. September 10, 2016
WHY: To awaken pastors, church leaders, elders and deacons to what’s happening in the country in advance of the November election
HOW: For more information or to register, visit www.tippingpointamerica.com

The morning will include three presentations, as well as three diverse Q&A panels. Speakers are:

Pastor Michael Anthony

Hon. Sam Rohrer

Pastor Jamie Mitchell

Pastor Michael Anthony: “The Role of Pastors & Christian Leaders in America: Humble Courage & Biblical Unity”

Anthony, who has appeared on CNN and in The New York Times, Politico and TownHall.com, will discuss the church’s role in culture. He is also founder of the National Week of Repentance (www.revivalmatters.com), founder and president of Godfactor.com, and lead pastor of Grace Fellowship of York (www.graceyork.com).

The Hon. Sam Rohrer: “The Reality of Persecution & How We Can Prepare;” Rohrer is president of the American Pastors Network, of which PPN is a state chapter, and a former Pennsylvania legislator for nearly 20 years.

Pastor Jamie Mitchell: “A Biblical Roadmap for Perseverance & Action;”

Mitchell is senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Lancaster, Pa.

Spread the word!

Why America Is Under Attack

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By Sam Rohrer, American Pastors Network President

This article was originally published by Lifezette.

One of the questions being discussed by most media in the United States right now is, “What caused the Orlando Night Club shootings?”

It’s an interesting question, but more important than “Why?” is the question of “What will we do about it?”

It may not seem possible to do anything directly but follow the news with sadness. But there are multiple things those of us who are alive can do. First, we need to mourn and grieve over those who were killed. Through the action of a lone gunman with seething anger in his heart and a wrong worldview and belief system, we are reminded of the devastation to individuals and families one horrific sinful action can bring.

Secondly, we should pray for our country and our world, recognizing that true evil exists, and its adherents have dedicated themselves to our destruction, both as a nation and as individuals.

As the Bible reminds us in Mark 7:21-23, “from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts,” including the kinds of anger that lead to murder.

Third, we must repent of personal sin and turn to faith in Jesus Christ, lest we, too, think wrongly and eventually find ourselves committing things that law forbids — actions that are harmful to our fellow man and actions that will be judged by God.

Finally, we must acknowledge the factors that set up Americans for continued attacks, such as the one seen in Orlando. The majority of Americans, Christians included, are confused; they are paralyzed, and in many cases, becoming more and more angry because the America that we love is being destroyed — primarily from within. Anger and frustration are being intentionally built, in part, but they are occurring, and I think they are the underpinning of the significant response we’ve seen to Donald Trump’s sentiments. He hasn’t created it, but he is a benefactor of it.

For well over a generation, those who have been given to evil of all kinds — from killing the unborn to sexual promiscuity and family redefinition to allowing the borders of our sovereign nation to be destroyed — have been carefully deconstructing our Constitution.

They’ve been defying the rule of law, redefining our history, reprogramming our youth in K-12 public schools and colleges through Marxist professors teaching against American exceptionalism and compartmentalizing biblical faith as a subject not fit for public discourse.

They have found their way to become gatekeepers, as I call them, in positions of authority, whether they are in office or elsewhere: in the media, in civil government, colleges, Hollywood, and more. In essence, these entities have been destroying the very foundations of our republic. They’ve been systematic, they’ve acted with intent, and we have knowingly or unknowingly permitted it.

For well over a generation, many good-meaning people across the country have spent billions of dollars —and millions of hours of quality, concerted time — doing a lot of really good things, but not the best things. Meaning, we have been far more concerned about “shaping symptoms” than we have been about trying to address the root problems.

The result is that things have not improved. In fact, they’ve continued to deteriorate. Even in our pulpits and across the entire societal spectrum, we’ve not been going after evil. We’ve been following red herrings and addressing symptoms of decay—rather than employing the biblical wisdom as recognized by our founders and generations after them to truly solve our nation’s problems.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” &endash; Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

The American Pastors Network calls on all pastors and the people who sit in the pews to join us in grieving with families and individuals who have suffered catastrophic, life-changing loss in Orlando, and as we call our nation back to God through personal repentance and a return to knowing and living the truths found in the Bible through lives of individual righteousness.

The Hon. Sam Rohrer, who is working on a new book, “Making Sense of Nonsense,” is president of the American Pastors Network. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 18 years and a candidate for governor in 2010, and is co-host of the Stand in the Gap Today radio program.

Will Pastors Lead?

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Despite the darkness that seems to be increasingly enveloping our nation, there are signs that indicate the possibility of another genuine “awakening” on the horizon.

Over the last 25 years, I have made revival a central study, even having visited some of the locations where real revival occurred (Wales, Northhampton, Mass., and others).  The history of America’s past revivals, yea all prior “awakenings,” reveals 5 stages thru which a nation passes.

Stage 1–Culturally accepted immorality and spiritual indifference
Stage 2–Faithful leaders and fervent intercessors
Stage 3–Empowered words and broken hearts
Stage 4–Joyful zeal and spiritual refreshment
Stage 5–Cultural transformation and worldwide evangelism

Nationally, we have definitely passed Stage 1, and have entered into Stage 2. Stage 3 requires that God’s preachers “deliver the goods” with respect to what is preached from the pulpit. Weak, anemic, and passionless preaching has NEVER facilitated an awakening! And, preachers who are fearful of bold declaration and courageous leadership have NEVER been God’s instruments of renewal!

This past Thursday (July 7), George Barna was a guest on our daily radio program (). His most recent research reveals some disturbing trends relative to what pastors plan to do/say and lead in preparation for November’s elections. If those trends become reality, then America will have a catastrophic continuation of precisely what we’ve had for the last eight years.

In other words, if God’s men don’t stand tall and speak clearly, then America, a once great nation, will be relegated to the dustbin of history. If God’s spokesmen do step up and fearlessly engage in Biblical leadership (including direct application as to what kind of leaders we must have), then there is hope for the fulfillment of Stages 4 and 5.

I know many pastors whose hearts are broken over the violence, immorality, rejection of God and His truth, that is so prevalent within our land. But, will they speak those “empowered words,” without fearing the kick back that may come? Or, will they become one of the Barna statistics?

Having had the blessing of ministering with some of America’s finest pastors/preachers, I believe I can say with the writer of Hebrews, “Brethren, I am persuaded better things of you!”  I pray I am not disappointed.

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International/HOPE To The Hill
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

Not “Share” — but “Declare!”

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It’s been a great day! I arrived home from Columbus, GA at approximately 4:15 AM. Thankfully, the Lord kept me awake thru the drive home and then gave me sweet sleep for several hours. I praise the Lord for the wonderful concluding service of the pastor’s conference and for an altar full of God’s men begging and crying for God to use them/us in greater ways than we’ve ever known. God is up to something across the nation.

Almost daily, I’m asked two questions. (1) What is happening in our nation, and (2) Are pastors waking up? What is happening is the unleashing of pure evil (same sex marriage, LGBT agenda, rejection of all Biblical values, etc.) across the world. Are pastors waking up? Yes, and no! Some still don’t see the encroaching evil. Others, who do, are still unwilling to speak courageously–calling sin what it is–an affront to the Holy God of heaven and an abomination in His sight.

However, some (and the number is growing all the time) are awakened and engaged, declaring “Thus saith the Lord,” without fear! It is my honor to preach for/labor with some of the nation’s finest pastors. In love, but directly, they are proclaiming God’s truth, applying it powerfully to the multiplicity of issues we now face. While loving and proclaiming the gospel, they understand their responsibility to preach “the whole council of God,” including those topics that are politically incorrect, the declaration of which may bring to them before unknown consequences. Yet, they are willing to hazard their lives for the clarion proclamation of God’s truth.

If you have this kind of pastor, stand unequivocally with him and by him. Encourage him to continue his faithful stand. If you don’t have this kind of pastor, lovingly challenge your preacher to take this kind of committed stance. All of us, who are called to pulpit ministry, will one day stand before the One Who placed us into the ministry, giving an account of how we conducted and fulfilled our calling. In all candor, I live in light of this daily. Because I want to please my soon coming Savior, and hear Him say of me, “Well done,” I am unwaveringly committed to the clear, consistent, courageous declaration of God’s truth. It is not a “sharing” of truth. It is a “declaring” of truth. While “sharing” suggests timidity, “declaring” denotes authority. It is proclamation like that of Jesus, of Whom it was said, “He teaches as One having authority, and not as the scribes.”

So, men of God, stand tall, plant your feet, clear your throat, and courageously DECLARE the unchanging, authoritative, life-altering, Word of the Living God. People want it! They need it! And, you and I are privileged to proclaim it!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International/HOPE To The Hill
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

Protecting the Pulpit: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

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On March 8th, the American Pastors Network recently held their monthly conference call designed to answer questions for Pastors and Church Leaders relating to current topics and events affecting  our churches and nation. The theme of this call was “Protecting the Pulpit: What Every Pastor Needs to Know”.  Senior Counsel Justin Butterfield, with First Liberty, and Dr. David Whitney with The American View, joined the call as guests to answer the following questions:

  1. What do pastors need to understand regarding their freedoms and limitations as a 501c3  entity when it comes to participating in the political process?
  2. Can pastors endorse a political candidate personally?  How about from the pulpit?
  3. How can a church protect themselves from lawsuits on certain issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage?
  4. Should churches incorporate or not?
  5. How can a church “unincorporate” if they no longer want to have 501c3 status

Christian Pastor: Have You (We) Done Your Duty?

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Political commentator and devout Christian Todd Starnes has hit the nail squarely on the head. The absence on the part of Christians from the process, plus the stunning unwillingness on the part of pastors to lead their people to register and vote, has placed us at a critical crossroads! (the article by Todd Starnes) I want to offer two comments of challenge, first to my brothers/sisters in Christ, then to my dear friends who co-labor with me in the ministry.

Brethren, this is our time to let our voice be heard. If you are not registered to vote in the primaries, then GET YOURSELF REGISTERED! There is no more direct, uncomplicated way I can say it! We cannot/dare not sit this one out.  The future of our nation is at stake, most specifically our religious liberty and 2nd Amendment rights! If we (who profess Christ) are not willing to do the right thing, then we will get what we deserve—more loss of liberty, more government intrusion, more restrictions on our ability to live, profess, and promote our faith, and more godless secularism/socialism/Sharia complicity. The antidote for all of this is a believing community that is willing to stand courageously and vote Biblically—as much as is possible!

To my dear pastor friends, thank you for the many of you who have been/are willing to lead your people to register and vote. Thanks for being willing to have a table in your church building where your people can actually register (which is NO violation of the law) to vote in both primary and general election. Thank you for courageous and unequivocal leadership!

To those men of God who’ve been reticent to lead in this fashion, I plead with you to reconsider your course. In our state of North Carolina, the deadline for registering to vote in the primary is this Friday, February 19. Though it should have been done prior, we have one final opportunity to encourage our people to do the right thing as a citizen of these United States. This coming Wednesday evening will afford the opportunity for one final appeal. Again, it is no violation of the law to have registration forms available for completion. A knowledgeable person in the congregation can oversee people as they register, then get the registration forms to the election board. This is nothing less than appropriate citizen response to what is actually a constitutional and Biblical responsibility—voting! To fulfill that responsibility, individuals must be registered.

I trust that Todd’s outstanding remarks that follow will be the needed impetus for engagement by both pastor and pew. I love you my dear friends—enough to speak forthrightly the truth! And, I love the country God has graciously given us—the United States of America! Thirty-one years of traveling the world has proven to me that we, in America, are uniquely blessed. We cannot/dare not allow our country to be taken from us! We must stand tall, speak up, and refuse to succumb to that which would make us fearful—ven the faces of those in our congregations who are unaware of the precipice on which America currently teeters!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

Where are the Prophets?

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Innumerable it seems are the issues facing the nation. Abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, self defense and ownership of guns, marriage, parental rights, pornography, gambling, alcohol use and abuse,
drugs, the environment, crime, corruption in government, government assistance, national defense, foreign policy, freedom of speech, religious liberty, etc., etc., etc. What seems glaringly scarce are genuine prophets. The prophets of old were God’s spokesman for their day. They interpreted the times according to the revelation of God.

There is a sense in which every pastor must play the role of the prophet. Yet today such preaching would be enough to put goose bumps on the back of the pews of most churches. W. Phillip Keller has eloquently written: “[I]n so many places the pastors and teachers are well-nigh silent about social ills. They make no strong stand against those elements that are destroying their people. They carry no deep conviction about the corruption all about them. They will not risk a confrontation with the forces of evil. Their silence gives tacit approval to the wrong influences and human philosophies which are tearing us to pieces.  “The leaders are fearful lest they be blamed eccentrics, puritans, or prophets of doom. They much prefer to be popular.” [1]

Some evangelical leaders seem mystified by Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and his lead in the polls among evangelical voters. Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association has accurately stated that there is really “little to be liked in the Donald’s worldview and personal history.” [2]I would agree, but perhaps it’s that a vast host of evangelicals are drawn to something Trump does that they rarely hear in the pulpits of their own churches. He speaks with passion, boldness, and authority. Americans, including evangelical Christians, are tired of leaders who have little or no moxie.

I suggest the nation has been deprived of prophets – prophets like those described in the Scriptures – men who had great capacity for emotion – men who were capable of deep feelings. Men who had fire in their bellies and their words could breathe fire in righteous indignation. At other times there utterances would be mingled with tears.

The late G. Earl Guinn, who was once the Chairman of the Department of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, put it this way: “The true man of God can weep at suffering, he can get downright mad at sin, and he can rejoice at moral progress.” [3] Richard Baxter wrote: “I preach as though I were never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.” [4] Too much preaching today fails to be based solidly in the moral authority of God’s Word and delivered out of deep conviction. Instead, it is made up of nice little warm fuzzy remarks sprinkled with a few anecdotes meant to make us feel good about ourselves, when the very wrath of God abides on us. The results of such preaching are devastating on more levels than we can know. It is not hyperbole to say that our culture is quickly headed for destruction. The hope for our restoration lies in remedies of the heart,  where our problems really exist. The sickness killing us is our willful rejection of God and his order.

But to quote again from G. Earl Guinn: “Apparently instead of hearing prophets of God sounding a trumpet call to obedience and faith, they have heard inoffensive little men tooting piccolos and then running to the door [of the church] to grin like Cheshire cats at those whose compliments are demanded by their itching ears.” [5] Indeed. Where are the prophets?

Jesus was the ultimate prophet. He wasn’t concerned about being palatable or appealing. His message was distinct and divergent from a corrupt society. His zeal for the Father’s way so consumed him that at times it must have seemed as though he was trying to prevent the possibility of followers.  He made tall demands, calling for hardship and cross-bearing. He warned that anyone who would be his disciple would experience alienation from friends and even family members.  He spoke against entrenched evil and misguided powers, powers that precipitated injustice, powers that humanly speaking; he could only offend to his own disadvantage and never possibly overcome.  He demonstrated by both his life and words that the Creator God is Holy and demands the same of those made in his image. Moreover, in the end, he was willing to lay down everything to redeem the ones who failed to understand him and were hostile to his ministry. Where are the prophets like Jesus?

In 1846 the fate of our nation depended on Andrew Jackson’s trusted messenger, Holdfast Gaines, an Indian scout. Gaines was encamped with the American army on Mobile Bay when word came to Jackson that a large British force had set sail for New Orleans. The one chance was for the General to swiftly get word to General “Dandy” Carroll in Nashville, so he could rally the long rifle frontiersman of Tennessee and Kentucky to rendezvous with him in New Orleans. But how was this to be done with 600 miles of wilderness between them?  General Jackson’s prospects of stopping the British lie with one man – Gaines. So he gave his trusted messenger the assignment and said, “I’ll give you ten days to get there! May the Lord of hosts bless your legs!”  At sunset on October 12, as General Carroll sat dining, Holdfast Gaines stumbled through the doorway, making the 600 mile trek in six days and five nights!  General Carroll rallied the long riflemen and met up with General Jackson in New Orleans. The British were defeated. New Orleans was saved because the messenger laid everything on the line to deliver his message. [6]

The fate of our nation hangs in the balance again. It’s not an enemy from without that threatens this time, but the enemy from within our sinful souls. Our hope, in large degree, is dependent on whether we have prophets of God willing to pay any price to deliver his message.

But where are the prophets?

By Dr. Mark Creech

A Once Great Institution Succumbs!

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The faculty council at Wheaton College, once a bastion of evangelical Christianity, has recommended that the effort to terminate associate Professor Larycia Hawkins end.  The reason for their recommendation?  They cited “grave concerns about the process.”  The exact specifics of those concerns remain unknown.

If you will remember, Hawkins drew national attention when she began wearing a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslims who had experienced what she called “vitriolic” rhetoric following the Paris and San Bernardino terrorist attacks.  “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book,”
Hawkins wrote on social media. “And as Pope Francis stated … we worship the same God.”  The college placed Hawkins on leave, pending a full review of the “theological implications” of her comments.

Regardless of the final decision Wheaton reaches with regard to the “theological implications” of Mrs. Hawkins actions, one thing is certain!  Both she and Pope Francis are TOTALLY WRONG!  We (Christians
and Muslims) DO NOT worship the same God!  And, while both Christians and Muslims may be “people of the book,” the books are VASTLY different!

The Deities of both books are different–Allah, being a “god” of violence, Jesus being the Prince of Peace!  The basic message of both books is also completely different–one (the Koran), a message of victory thru violence, the other (the Bible), a message of redemption and victory thru Christ!  The teachers of both books are polar opposites–Muslim Imams incite violence and deception, while true Christian preachers proclaim a message of truth and love!  The followers of each book’s teaching could not be more diametrically opposite!  True followers of Islam and the teachings of Mohammed desire the eradication of ALL who will not submit to Islamic ideology!  The followers of Christ seek the redemption of those Satanically enslaved in Islam’s web of deceit! Islam has an end-time eschatology that believes in the arrival of a Mahdi–a great one who brings world peace.  Of course, Christianity believes a false Messiah will step onto the end-time world stage, deceiving the masses who’ve rejected Christ.  But, the True Messiah, Jesus Christ, will return to this earth, ultimately bringing genuine peace!  It is my firm belief that the Islamic Mahdi will be the one the Bible calls the Anti-Christ!

So, it was for very legitimate reasons that Wheaton placed Mrs. Hawkins on leave!  Islam and Christianity could not be more incompatible!  What is tragic, yea heartbreaking, is to see that once great school succumb
to political correctness and outright error!  Wheaton’s compromise MUST NOT become our compromise! Wheaton’s fear, MUST NOT be mirrored by those of us who genuinely are people of The Book–the Word of the Living God!
No, regardless of what others may do, we must say (and do) as did Joshua of old–“as for me, and my house, WE will serve (and stay unequivocally faithful to) the LORD!”

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

Letter to Governor Wolf Regarding Syrian Refugees by Dr. Gary Dull

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November 23, 2015

Dear Governor Wolfe:

As representing the Pennsylvania Pastors Network of over 2500 pastors across the state and as serving as senior pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona I am writing in regard to your policy of accepting Syrian refugees into our beloved Commonwealth.  I have read your recent letter to the state lawmakers in which you explain your reasons for allowing the refugees to be relocated here and so I am quite familiar with the arguments you present.

In your letter you say “As governor of Pennsylvania, my first priority is protecting the commonwealth,” to which I totally agree. But, along with many pastors and other citizens across PA I believe the invitation to allow the Syrian refugees to settle here has the potential to bring great harm through possible terrorist activity.

I know that you, President Obama and others in his administration, believe that every refugee can be vetted properly, but it is my concern that the vetting process currently being used may not be totally tested.  In addition, any potential ISIS member who would be embedded into the ranks of the refugees possibly has the proper training to slip under the radar and therefore enter into Pennsylvania with the intent to harm our citizens.  If that would happen, Sir, the blood of those who would be harmed or killed would be on your hands.  And truly, I do not want to see that occur either for your sake or for the sake of every Pennsylvanian who could be at risk.

As a pastor I have great compassion for the poor and needy of war torn countries.  I believe the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a great heritage of providing for those who have suffered from tyrannical governments of the world down through the years.  I hold to the fact that immigration is not a bad thing and that many who want to come here to find true liberty and opportunity should be welcomed.  But in these days of radical Islamic terrorist activity we all know that not every immigrant or refugee would come to America with a pure motive of searching for a new life, liberty and opportunity.  There are those who hate our nation and are bent on bringing us harm and destruction.  Genuine Muslim doctrine clearly teaches from the pages of the Koran that those of us who are infidels (non-Muslims) should be killed.  A true Muslim supports Sharia Law that in no way agrees with the Constitutions of the United States or Pennsylvania. Consequently great wisdom and understanding must be used in who are allowed to enter our boarders.

In your letter you site the Refuge Act of 1980 which authorizes the president to admit refugees who face persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular group, or political opinion.  But there is reason to believe that this act may be unconstitutional because the original intent of our founders was that the individual states were to handle matters of immigration.

Therefore as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a pastor, a leader of pastors, a citizen of PA, a patriot and one who truly loves this commonwealth, I ask you to please reconsider your policy on inviting Syrian refugees into our boarders.  I ask you to join with other governors across the country and stand against a Presidential Policy of immigration that has the possibility of allowing terrorists to enter our land.  I ask you to seriously fulfill your duty and priority of protecting the commonwealth by not giving an open door to the Syrian refugees without a tried and true vetting process.  I ask you to respond to the Syrian refugee matter from the perspective of the tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution that guarantees the rights of the individual states to have the jurisdiction to govern themselves in such matters and by doing so exercise your duty and responsibility as the elected governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to properly and efficiently protect the welfare of the citizens you serve.

In setting forth the God-given responsibility of civil government, the Bible in Romans 13:1-4 clearly teaches that rulers are “not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Properly interpreted this admonition means that as our state CEO you, Governor Wolfe, have the duty to exercise your authority to keep all and any potential evil from the citizens and boundaries of Pennsylvania.  On behalf of many pastors and residents of our beloved state I ask you please to do so to which we will be very grateful.

Governor Wolfe, as one leader to another, I ask you to seriously and sincerely consider my requests.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary G. Dull

Vice-President and Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Pastors Network

Senior Pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona

GOP Debate Overview by Dave Kistler

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Last evening’s GOP Presidential Debate provided some fascinating insights into what the frontrunners would do, if elected president. Though a more thorough analysis will come later, permit me to make a few initial observations.

Though the topic last evening was the economy, the banter between candidates moved off that immediate topic and onto other ancillary issues.  One thing was abundantly clear, we have a number of candidates who clearly understand the disastrous situation in which Barack Obama has placed us–militarily!  I was VERY encouraged to hear the clarion statements by a number of the hopefuls, especially Senator Ted Cruz, relative to what they would do to build up our Armed Forces!

As to who won the debate, I would suggest this.  From a content perspective, I believe Ted Cruz was the winner!  From a stylistic
standpoint, Marco Rubio excelled!  Rubio’s command of the English language (equal to that of Ted Cruz), and the rapid fire way he delivers his message, makes him a VERY appealing candidate.  Dr. Ben Carson provided the most detail yet, and probably shocked some observers with his command of things economic.  Cruz’s witty, sharp and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor was again on display–something he used well when speaking about immigration!  Of course, Donald Trump was his typical self–only a little more reserved, stressing his landmark issue of securing the border and preventing illegal immigration!

The take away is this.  I see a team emerging that may well be the GOP nominees.  Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are both young, incredibly talented, stingingly articulate, and knowledgeable men.  They are a conservative version of Bill Clinton and Al Gore from 1992.  Cruz has stood in opposition to his own party over substantive issues and is a genuine Christian conservative!  Rubio’s knowledge of foreign policy would serve him well as a President or Vice President.

While there is a lot of distance yet to be traveled, the picture is definitely becoming a bit more clear, at least to me!  From now until the end, we must pray EARNESTLY for men who will honor God, abide by the Constitution, stand unequivocally with Israel, reverse out of control spending insanity, serve the people rather than themselves, and do all the aforementioned while humbly seeking God’s wisdom in all decisions!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio