Dear Friend,
Have you heard what pastors and radio listeners are saying about our ministry?
Here’s a quote from a recent letter we received:
“I applaud your leadership of the American Pastors Network. In an age when far too many pastors are becoming ambassadors from the World to the Church, rather than ambassadors from Christ’s Church to the World, a resource such as the APN is critically needed. John Wesley’s wise observation that, ‘In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church’ is often forgotten.’”
Here’s another comment from a thankful pastor in PA:
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the American Pastors Network for everything you are doing for pastors and our beloved country. The men and women on APN who offer wise words, helpful advice, and – most importantly – much needed encouragement, have been very valuable to my daily calling as a pastor… Please continue to lead this effort as you so effectively do every day. You have made a huge difference not only in my life, but I know in others too! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! God bless you and APN. I will do my best to support you and APN, especially considering what APN has done for me!”
These words of encouragement confirm the vital need for an organization like ours.
It’s been five years since the American Pastors Network was born under God’s grace and
guidance. Much has been accomplished, but there’s still much more to do.
Over these past five years, God has bestowed His divine blessings on this ministry and our mission to encourage and equip pastors and Believers to “Stand in the Gap for Truth.” None of what’s been done is possible without Him – or without you. God is alive, and He provides direction and wisdom for our friends, donors, TV viewers, radio listeners and all those who commit in obedience to serve Him.
Looking Back
In 2013, God led us to form a ministry that would serve as a nationwide framework for biblically faithful pastors and their church members to encourage and equip the Remnant with a goal of building a permanent infrastructure of like-minded and committed Christians who:
- affirm the authority of Scripture
- take seriously Jesus’ command to be the “salt and light” to the culture
- encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary cultural issues
- examine public policy issues from a biblical worldview perspective.
We’ve stayed true to that mission, and God’s blessings have been miraculous. So much has been done with so little. There have been no single deep pockets, no large benefactor and certainly no government funding. Yet God has done great things in five years.
Can I share just a few of the miracles with you?
Over the past five years, God has permitted APN to start and expand three distinct national radio programs: Stand in the Gap Today, Stand in the Gap Minute and Stand in the Gap Weekend. Each started on just a few stations and God has grown this distribution to over a thousand radio stations nationwide and reaching millions each week! These very popular and well-received programs analyze headline news and the most important cultural concerns facing our world from a biblical and constitutional perspective.
- In April, God miraculously opened the door for APN to begin a new weekly television program, which considers transcending cultural issues – those controversial issues which seem to have no solution – and provide solutions from the pages of God’s Word and a Biblical worldview perspective. Stand in the Gap TV first aired on WBPH in Philadelphia, in April 2018, and has expanded to VCY-TV and Upliftv. And praise God, more than 27 million households have access to this program – in fewer than 6 months!
- APN leaders continue to have editorials and interviews featured in both secular and
Christian media each week. These leading publications and outlets, consisting of
radio, television and print media, reach over 25 million people monthly with APN’s
biblical and constitutional perspectives on key cultural issues.
- APN is blessed to be working with eight state chapters – Arkansas, Michigan,
Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia – and
three others are now preparing to launch!
Looking Ahead
Over the past five years, God has established a national platform and foundation on which to meet the challenges facing our culture, the church and the nation. Through all the efforts, projects and accomplishments listed above, God has blessed APN with the credibility, and the dedicated people and opportunities to equip pastors to assist families struggling with such issues as deteriorating traditional marriage, pornography, rampant sexual permissiveness, the undermining of a biblical worldview in our public schools, abortion and other evils that seek to destroy the core teachings of our Christian faith. He has opened doors and prepared us “for such a time as this.”
This miraculous platform of state chapters, radio, TV, print and leadership has produced a framework for how we feel God is leading APN for the next five years and beyond. I believe as well that – if the Lord tarries – that He desires an even greater leadership role in expanding our voice for the Truth. I pray that God may use you to be a critical part of the next five years.
Not only do I ask that you as a previous partner and friend and listener pray about what you can do in an increased financial capacity, but if you’ve partnered with us, to start right now. In addition, I would ask you to consider walking with us daily in prayer and monthly in finances and 24 hours a day as “boots on the ground” and Stand in the Gap for Truth where you are.
Regardless of what level of commitment you choose, we – as God’s faithful – must now move ahead with boldness and faith, and not shrink and fade away. While God has done great things, He wants to do more “very good things,” and if He tarries, permit us and those like you to companion with us in these most critical days.
Looking Around
I likely don’t have to point out why this is all so important. After all, you are witness to everything that’s happening in our culture daily in your communities, workplaces, schools, churches and families. It’s no secret that America is in deep trouble morally. Our families are broken, our government system is derailed, our people divided. We are deep in debt; our enemies have surrounded us and have infiltrated our society. America has rejected God in practice and in law and has become arrogant.
Likewise, the American Church is lethargic, silent and mostly adulterous. The next generations are God-rejecting, feelings-oriented and devoid of a relationship with Christ. They are incapable of “keeping the Republic,” as Benjamin Franklin warned. Based on all this, APN and the Stand in the Gap family of programming is specifically designed to “Stand in the Gap for Truth” and to provide the leadership from the pulpit for truth.
We hope you will now join us in this very important mission!
Looking to You
If God has shown us one thing over the past five years, it’s that He’s not done with us yet.
There is still so much more on the horizon for the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media. Specifically, we are looking to God for His provision using you and our other friends, partners and listeners to meet these immediate and future needs:
- CORE MINISTRY NEEDS: To meet the internal growth needs related to radio, TV and direct work with pastors, we need a fresh commitment of $10,000 per month. Your scheduled monthly giving can help with this basic need and ensure our basic operating costs.
SPECIAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
- REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION: To be able to effectively reach 18- to 35-year-olds with the unchanging truth of biblical principles, as addressed on our Stand in the Gap Radio and TV programs, APN is in need of $100,000 to launch a newly focused social media campaign that digitizes our content and delivers it to the next generation.
- RADIO EXPANSION: To enable more listeners to hear the timeless truths we provide through our daily radio programming, Stand in the Gap Today radio airtime purchases will cost roughly $75,000. No other media outlet is providing a biblical and constitutional perspective to our current issues, and our culture desperately needs these truths.
- BOOK LAUNCH: APN leadership is planning to publish a new book titled, Grand Design: Recovering God’s Extraordinary Blueprint for Government. Funding of $25,000 is necessary to complete this critical project.
These are the four areas of need and opportunity where we see God leading APN, and we hope you’ll join us.
Please consider walking with us in the days ahead by providing a generous one-time financial gift today, or even better, by becoming a monthly partner as God guides us to move forward. Please consider including us in your year-end giving as well. Know that we also immensely value your prayers!
We know we’re changing hearts and minds. Will you be a part of the future of the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media?
“Standing in the Gap for Truth,”
Sam Rohrer
American Pastors Network President
What Is the Truth Concerning Americans’ Wants and Needs for Immigration and Secure Borders?
/0 Comments/in Blog /by News RoomOpen borders or a barrier? Strategic migrant infiltration or innocent altruistic immigration? Good for America or the strategic slow death of the Western world?These are all part of the ongoing immigration debate, the current border barrier standoff in Washington, D.C., and the current impasse being waged in Congress. The American Pastors Network (APN) frequently explores issues of immigration and how they relate to both the Bible and the Constitution on its daily, live radio program, Stand in the Gap Today.
“These topics are especially important, says APN President Sam Rohrer, with another government shutdown looming this week—dependent on agreements reached on these urgent matters.”The majority of the American people want an orderly society and understand that the security of the American people is a high duty of the president and those in nationally elected offices,” Rohrer said.
“What is the truth on these concerns? Do we have facts, on-the-ground observations and honest evaluations? Or emotion-driven opinions and politically pushed policies? Americans, and especially American Christians, crave the truth in these matters, and the American Pastors Network seeks to provide it by going back to the Bible and the Constitution. With history available and facts pouring in, it is possible to objectively begin quantifying and measuring the real cost of open borders. “Historically, Rohrer added, immigration into Europe or the United States was the hope for people seeking a better life in a Western culture society; most often, people came from totalitarian-ruled cultures. Over the past years, however, the welcoming attitude and policies of Western nations toward downtrodden, freedom-seeking people has been identified as a tool for strategic manipulation by ideologies who have no desire to assimilate but to invade and collapse.”
“In effect, the goal for totalitarian ideologies, be it Marxism, communism, Islam or globalism, has been to capitalize on the ignorance of the Western societies, and exploit this ignorance and infiltrate their enemies like the Trojan horse of history past,” he continued. “The reality of the high cost of open borders, while downplayed by those wanting to weaken and destroy Western culture and the United States as we know it, should be obvious to people who are truth seeking and observant. The question is, what can we do in light of what is becoming so obvious on the European continent and the great divide becoming wider here in the United States on this issue?”
Listen to “Stand in the Gap Today” clips regarding this timely topic below:
Rohrer hosts “Stand in the Gap Today” with Pennsylvania Pastors Network Executive Director Gary Dull and North Carolina Pastors Network President Dave Kistler. The three discuss cultural issues and headlines from a biblical and constitutional perspective on the program that airs on over 400 stations. Besides “Stand in the Gap Minute,” the “Stand in the Gap” radio ministry also includes “Stand in the Gap Weekend,” which re-airs the most engaging segments from the previous week on about 240 stations.
To read the BIBLICAL reasons for national borders, please click HERE.
Photo by humberto chavez on Unsplash
Celebrating “National Marriage Week”-Making the Case for Marriage
/1 Comment/in Blog, Release /by News RoomTo watch a KDOV interview with APN President, Sam Rohrer, about “God’s Plan for Marriage”, please click HERE.
Defending marriage between one man and one woman is easy, says the American Pastors Network (APN). Whether examined historically, physiologically, emotionally, economically or morally, biblical marriage is best. But the moral argument is strongest because it precedes and underpins the others, says APN President Sam Rohrer.
Leading up to National Marriage Week Feb. 7-14, Rohrer is sharing five principles of marriage on the daily, 60-second radio feature, “Stand in the Gap Minute,” which airs on more than 400 stations nationwide.
“Marriage has taken a beating in our culture over the past several years, but if we seek to honor God with our marriage, we must stay true to five principles of godly marriage,” Rohrer said. “Making the case for marriage is easy—if we fear God. No nation can be blessed by God without strong families. No family can be strong without strong marriages. No marriage can be strong without following God’s plan for marriage. And by the same token, strong marriages yield strong families, and strong families yield strong nations. At the American Pastors Network, we emphasize the authority of Scripture for deciding all issues, including marriage. And we urge pastors and parents to defend and live out God’s model in their pulpits and in their homes.”
Rohrer will share the following five principles about godly marriage this week on “Stand in the Gap Minute.”
PRINCIPLE #1: Marriage is God’s Model—Marriage is God’s idea. God’s plan is best because God alone is Truth, Creator and Judge. Our opinion doesn’t really matter. We have no vote, but we do have a choice. As the Source of all authority, God’s plan for male and female, marriage, human sexuality, children and family prevails. Only He has the right to legitimately define it and to demand that we observe it.
PRINCIPLE #2: Marriage is God’s Foundation for Society—Not only is marriage God’s idea, His plan establishes biblical marriage as foundational for strong families—the cornerstone of authority in human society. God’s foundation for societal order is upheld first by the pillar of family authority, then civil, then church authority, all nurtured by God’s purpose and limitation for each.
PRINCIPLE #3: Marriage is One Man-One Woman—God’s design for marriage presumes that one man and one woman—united and committed—will join as one flesh before God. No other combination works in God’s plan. Therefore, no government possesses the authority to legally alter or redefine marriage or family. It has no more moral or jurisdictional authority to redefine marriage than to declare invalid natural law, or declare moral such immoral actions as theft, murder or rape.
PRINCIPLE #4: Marriage Must be Kept Holy—To preserve the integrity of marriage and the family, it must be kept holy. No violation or variation of marriage or human sexuality, other than within the bounds of marriage between one man and one woman, is acceptable without bringing predictable consequences to individuals, communities and nations. Heterosexual infidelity, sex outside marriage, homosexuality or marriage between multiple men or woman all violate God’s order.
PRINCIPLE #5: Marriage is the Picture of Christ and the Church—God declares in Ephesians 5 that physical marriage between one man and one woman is holy and depicts the spiritual relationship between Christ and the Church. God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ is the picture of true love and unity between God and man. It’s why all efforts to redefine God’s design are direct attacks on God Himself, His plan of redemption and Jesus Christ.
National Marriage Week is a national observance that seeks to celebrate marriage in a non-commercial way around Valentine’s Day and serves as an ideal time to highlight the importance of marriage for individuals, families and the nation. The week was first observed in 2010 to encourage individual and group efforts to raise the issue of marriage to the national agenda and support marriages across the country.
Photo by Marc A. Sporys on Unsplash
Helping Make Sense of a Complicated Economy Through ‘Money Mission Friday’ Radio Programs
/0 Comments/in Blog, Release /by News RoomJanuary is Financial Wellness Month, and the American Pastors Network has been helping faith-minded listeners think about their money in a godly way through its weekly “Money Mission Friday” radio programs.
To close out each week on “Stand in the Gap Today,” host and APN President Sam Rohrer, along with co-host Gary Dull, welcomes regular guest William Parker. He is an authority on Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), a Kingdom Advisor, wealth manager and Principal of Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) with the website, www.BRIinvesting.com. Recent program titles have included: “Down But Not Necessarily Out,” “Understanding the Debt Trap” and “The Case for Cash.”
“No matter how you look at today’s financial and economic news, analysis is hard, and predictions are even harder but ignoring the news is disastrous,” Rohrer said. “That is why we not only highlight the major economic issues but uncover the underlying principles and connect them to corresponding biblical principles each week on ‘Money Mission Friday.’ We believe these programs are answering key questions not only from an economic perspective but providing analysis regarding biblical stewardship of finances, saving, spending and Biblically Responsible Investing.”
Economic matters, Rohrer added, impact everyone, and are a major factor in all areas including foreign policy, war and peace, market fluctuations, national security, oil prices, energy dependence and much more.
“The main fact to keep in mind is that it all belongs to God,” Rohrer said. “We might think it all belongs to us because our name is on the account. But is it really ours? What does the Bible say about money? Actually, a great deal—about wealth, ownership of that wealth and the duty to use it properly. The Bible also speaks about investing, looking ahead and laying up treasure—not here on Earth but in Heaven. There are duties, of course, to our families and children here, but there’s an emphasis on the eternal. At the same time, God promises blessings to those people and those nations who follow God’s commands and fear and trust in Him.”
Money Mission Friday programs, as well as others from throughout the week, can be found HERE.
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Some People Say the Words of the Bible Are Mere Opinion — What if They’re Wrong?
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by News RoomBy Sam Rohrer, January 30, 2019
In a digital world in which anyone can share any belief, what if the facts call for us to repent and call out to Christ to be Our Savior?
One of the strong “selling” points of the internet is that it allows everyone who desires to contribute their opinions to do so. Regardless of their station in life, people can express what they think on the web — and others can chime in with their own versions of opinion.
In a democratic society, this is probably a good thing. Opinions, however, are not necessarily valid just because they are “out there.” Some people have weak thinking processes, and when it comes to the Bible, there are others whose knowledge of the Scriptures runs extraordinarily shallow. Throw in the truth that some people don’t know what a fact is compared to an opinion — and you may get a mashup of doubtful worth.
During the past month or so, for example, we’ve heard uninformed people say they believe the president of the United States has committed acts that call for impeachment, when they don’t know what comprises an impeachable act. The discussion really becomes interesting when the uninformed are leading the unknowing in an effort to act in a way that is totally anti-constitutional.
So let’s take a look at the definitions of the words people are so ready to spout off about:
Unfortunately, we’ve lost the distinction of which is true — a fact or opinion — and which can be proven with verity. In the world of facts, scientific truth can often be the arbiter. For example, I might be of the opinion that I can drive a motorcycle through a concrete buttress at 150 miles per hour, and even be sincere in my belief. The concrete doesn’t necessarily verify my belief because of the facts involved with the composition of the material, as well as what happens in its interaction with my comparatively frail body. In “facts vs. opinion,” the facts win regardless of opinion.
Just because the internet makes communication more democratic does not make the opinions expressed there either true or false. Right now, scholars are debating the future of truth and misinformation (non-facts) on the web. There are two schools of thought on this question, according to a study from the Pew Research Center: “Experts are evenly split on whether the coming decade will see a reduction in false and misleading narratives online. Those forecasting improvement place their hopes in technological fixes and in societal solutions. Others think the dark side of human nature is aided more than stifled by technology.”
The Bible talks about the evil in men’s hearts, the desire of one man to hurt the other, and especially the tendency of one person to hurt his or her fellow human with lies. These are more than just statements of opinion. These suggest a darkened heart and mind with a tendency to sin against another rather than build them up.0:29
The Bible is quite clear. See if you find opinion or fact in the following verses:
You may say the Bible is a book of religious fiction with reality to sin, judgment or accountability to God as Creator and Judge. Surely, then, there could be no hell and no heaven, either. Some people say the words of the Bible are just opinion. But what if they are wrong? What if the facts call for us to repent of sin and call out to Christ to be our Savior?
Perhaps the God who is unchanging Truth and who cannot permit sin before Him, but who loved the world — you and me — so much that His Son Jesus Christ died and paid for the penalty of our sin, is truly a fact.Perhaps a change in heart and mind is called for, regardless of who believes it is opinion or not.
Facts do matter.
Lies kill.
Note: This article was originally published on the Lifezette website HERE.
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
Tom Meyer and Lansdale Borough Council Approved Drag Queen ‘Annie Christ’ to Deliver Children’s Story Hour at Lansdale Public Library
/0 Comments/in Blog, Release /by News RoomDrag Queen “Annie Christ,” who dons satanic symbols and performs lewd sexually charged nightclub shows (see video here), is scheduled to be at the Lansdale Public Library this Saturday, Feb. 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to present “Drag Queen Story Time” to children.
Tom Meyer, the director of the Lansdale Library, approved Annie Christ to present the story hour to children. Meyer and others on the Lansdale Library Board of Directors researched the drag queen’s background and still agreed to allow Annie Christ to perform, even though his sexually explicit and offensive video is featured on YouTube.com. Meyer also stated he was receiving many phone calls, emails and Facebook posts protesting the event and would consider canceling it.
Taxpayers who fund the library are urging Meyer and all elected borough officials to cancel the drag queen story hour. The library reserves the right to cancel the event and the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN,www.papastors.net) Executive Director Gary Dull says it is in the best interest of the public, children and taxpayers to do so.
Parents and concerned community members have been protesting these organized activities at libraries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans and New York, according to The Christian Post.
Concerns have been heightened in Pennsylvania, as three drag queen story hours have already occurred this month, notes the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, a state chapter of the American Pastors Network (APN).In addition to the library event in Lansdale, another is slated for Feb. 9 at Exeter Community Library in Reading.
“This toxic spread of a damaging agenda has come to Pennsylvania and is targeting our children,” said Dull, who also serves as pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Altoona. “Where is the common sense in this? With the serious problems that children in this generation are experiencing—drug use, high-anxiety, suicide and depression—why would parents and elected officials willingly put children in front of a drag queen to confuse them even more? This should be a matter of grave concern for every person who cares about children. The LGBTQ agenda demands dominance and wants to silence those who would dare speak out on cultural issues. The public library is not a place for activism, and a children’s story hour certainly isn’t the place to push a confusing message delivered by a confused individual. The fact that we have even been forced to address such a matter as a story time for children provided by men dressed in drag is a tragic commentary on our culture. We pray for clarity, truth and the protection of children in this dire situation.”
The doctor who prescribes Valium is obliged to inform the patient about the possible harmful effect of the drug on their body, as well as offer other treatment options. Read more at https://bes.org/valium-online/.
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network urges people to take action:
1. Sign this “Petition To Stop Lansdale Drag Queen Story Hour”—https://bit.ly/2MFfPtV
2. Log on to the Lansdale Public Library Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lansdalelibrary
3. Write a review and let them know how you feel about the Drag Queen event where it says, “Do you recommend Lansdale Public Library?” PPN urges those who post to speak truth in love.
4. Call the library: 215-855-3228. Tell them calmly you do not approve of this Drag Queen event and that you demand them to cancel it. Also, call the Library Board of Directors: 215-368-1691.
5. Email the Tom Meyer, Library Director: director@lansdalelibrary.organd email the Children’s Librarian: children@lansdalelibrary.org
6. Contact the Lansdale Elected Officials, including the mayor: http://www.lansdale.org/606/Elected-Officials
Lansdale Library’s Board of Directors is made up of the same elected officials as Lansdale Borough Council:
Garry Herbert: mayor@lansdale.org
John J. Ernst: Jernst@lansdale.org – Borough Manager
Mary Fuller: mfuller@lansdale.org – President
Denton Burnell: dburnell@lansdale.org – Vice President
Rich Digregorio: rdigregorio@lansdale.org – Treasurer
Stacey Maile: smaile@lansdale.org – Secretary
Leon Angelichio: langelichio@lansdale.org
BJ Breish: bbreish@lansdale.org
Carrie Hawkins Charlton: chawkins@lansdale.org
Bill Henning: bhenning@lansdale.org
Tom Work: twork@lansdale.org
Jack Hansen: jhansen@lansdale.org
Photo by David Clarke on Unsplash
Repealing Johnson Amendment Would Challenge Pastors to Preach All of God’s Word
/2 Comments/in Blog, Release /by News RoomRenewed efforts are underway in 2019 to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which bans tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, such as churches, from participating in politics. Pastors have argued this limits their free speech and that their congregations depend on them for biblical voting guidance.
Just before Christmas, the House of Representatives passed a year-end tax package that would repeal the Johnson Amendment. It’s now the Senate’s turn to act on the measure.
APN says a repeal would mean freedom to the pulpit and the pews.
“Pastors’ voices had been silent on the most important cultural, societal and political issues of our time,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, “because of a fear of repercussions stemming from the Johnson Amendment.”
A repeal, he said, would return decades of freedom to churches and enables pastors to freely speak truth about social issues from the pulpit. But striking down the law would not remedy all the issues in today’s church, Rohrer added.
“It does not completely solve why pastors have not been preaching the whole counsel of God,” he said. “The path to freedom may have been paved, but it’s now up to pastors and churches to begin preaching boldly. For some, the Johnson Amendment has been a convenient excuse to shy away from the tough issues. The challenge before the pulpit has always been fear, and that’s the challenge of any leader. The Johnson Amendment has been the fear factor.”
To watch an interview by Sam Rohrer on KDOV TV with Perry Atkinson on this topic, please click HERE.
American Pastors Network and Shalom Ministries Explore ‘Finding Jesus Through Hanukkah’ on Stand in the Gap TV
/0 Comments/in Blog, Uncategorized /by News RoomChristmas is one of the most universally celebrated Christian holidays but its primary focus of Jesus as being the Promised Jewish Redeemer is mostly unknown. Yet, says the American Pastors Network (APN), when Jesus is viewed through the Jewish lens of Hanukkah, Christmas and Jesus become truly alive and our attention is drawn to the fact that God keeps His promises.
APN recently explored this interesting topic on its weekly television program, “Stand in the Gap” TV, which airs on several regional networks, including in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, and nationally on Upliftv.
For the show, APN president and “Stand in the Gap” TV host Sam Rohrer welcomed Dr. Craig Hartman, founder and director of Shalom Ministries in New York City.
“The rich Jewish history, prophecy and importance of Jesus’ first and second coming and the connection to Hanukkah and temple worship is often carelessly discarded or simply unknown to Christians generally to the collective harm of both Jew and Gentile,” Rohrer said. “Christianity generally but sadly starts with Jesus in the manger not the Promised Redeemer in the Garden of Eden and covenanted through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Christianity also ignores the strategic holy days and convocations established by God for the Jews—and the Gentiles—so they would recognize Jesus when He came and the promise of eternal security that He guarantees to all who are His sheep.”
Rohrer added that the show had several goals so that Christians and Jews alike can find common ground and reason to celebrate.
“It is most unfortunate that in America and the western world—which rose to historic worldwide prominence by embracing the Judeo-Christian worldview of an eternal god, a creation, a fall and then redemption—has failed to learn the amazing significance of Hanukkah to our Christian faith. These four basic elements are the essence of a biblical worldview. In previous ‘Stand in the Gap’ programs, we’ve emphasized the character and nature of God, highlighting Him as Creator and mankind as the highest of God’s creations with an eternal soul and created in God’s image. We’ve gone into depth on cultural issues that arise out the fall and sin.
Now,” Rohrer continued, “we can focus on the aspect of redemption that was promised following the fall and realized in the first coming of Jesus Christ in his miraculous but prophesied birth in Bethlehem—the event we call Christmas. Yet Christmas is wonderfully linked to the festival of Hanukkah because it draws our minds and hearts to Jesus as Shepherd, Redeemer and Guarantor of eternal security for those who are true believers, because Jesus Himself celebrated Hanukkah every year He was on earth.”
“Finding Jesus through Hanukkah—The Untold Christmas Story” aired Sunday, Dec. 23 and will be rebroadcasted later in the week. Watch the program HERE or view a clip from the show here.
Besides the television program, which has explored such topics as gun control, immigration, opioid addiction, race relations, Israel, Islam, marriage, voting and more, APN offers three national radio programs—“Stand in the Gap Today,” “Stand in the Gap Minute” and “Stand in the Gap Weekend”—airing on hundreds of stations nationwide at different times of day and reaching millions each week. These very popular and well-received programs consider the most important concerns facing the world from a biblical and constitutional perspective.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
APN 2018 NEWSLETTER: With God, Mission Possible!
/2 Comments/in News /by News RoomDear Friend,
Have you heard what pastors and radio listeners are saying about our ministry?
Here’s a quote from a recent letter we received:
“I applaud your leadership of the American Pastors Network. In an age when far too many pastors are becoming ambassadors from the World to the Church, rather than ambassadors from Christ’s Church to the World, a resource such as the APN is critically needed. John Wesley’s wise observation that, ‘In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church’ is often forgotten.’”
Here’s another comment from a thankful pastor in PA:
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the American Pastors Network for everything you are doing for pastors and our beloved country. The men and women on APN who offer wise words, helpful advice, and – most importantly – much needed encouragement, have been very valuable to my daily calling as a pastor… Please continue to lead this effort as you so effectively do every day. You have made a huge difference not only in my life, but I know in others too! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! God bless you and APN. I will do my best to support you and APN, especially considering what APN has done for me!”
These words of encouragement confirm the vital need for an organization like ours.
It’s been five years since the American Pastors Network was born under God’s grace and
guidance. Much has been accomplished, but there’s still much more to do.
Over these past five years, God has bestowed His divine blessings on this ministry and our mission to encourage and equip pastors and Believers to “Stand in the Gap for Truth.” None of what’s been done is possible without Him – or without you. God is alive, and He provides direction and wisdom for our friends, donors, TV viewers, radio listeners and all those who commit in obedience to serve Him.
Looking Back
In 2013, God led us to form a ministry that would serve as a nationwide framework for biblically faithful pastors and their church members to encourage and equip the Remnant with a goal of building a permanent infrastructure of like-minded and committed Christians who:
We’ve stayed true to that mission, and God’s blessings have been miraculous. So much has been done with so little. There have been no single deep pockets, no large benefactor and certainly no government funding. Yet God has done great things in five years.
Can I share just a few of the miracles with you?
Over the past five years, God has permitted APN to start and expand three distinct national radio programs: Stand in the Gap Today, Stand in the Gap Minute and Stand in the Gap Weekend. Each started on just a few stations and God has grown this distribution to over a thousand radio stations nationwide and reaching millions each week! These very popular and well-received programs analyze headline news and the most important cultural concerns facing our world from a biblical and constitutional perspective.
Christian media each week. These leading publications and outlets, consisting of
radio, television and print media, reach over 25 million people monthly with APN’s
biblical and constitutional perspectives on key cultural issues.
Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia – and
three others are now preparing to launch!
Looking Ahead
Over the past five years, God has established a national platform and foundation on which to meet the challenges facing our culture, the church and the nation. Through all the efforts, projects and accomplishments listed above, God has blessed APN with the credibility, and the dedicated people and opportunities to equip pastors to assist families struggling with such issues as deteriorating traditional marriage, pornography, rampant sexual permissiveness, the undermining of a biblical worldview in our public schools, abortion and other evils that seek to destroy the core teachings of our Christian faith. He has opened doors and prepared us “for such a time as this.”
This miraculous platform of state chapters, radio, TV, print and leadership has produced a framework for how we feel God is leading APN for the next five years and beyond. I believe as well that – if the Lord tarries – that He desires an even greater leadership role in expanding our voice for the Truth. I pray that God may use you to be a critical part of the next five years.
Not only do I ask that you as a previous partner and friend and listener pray about what you can do in an increased financial capacity, but if you’ve partnered with us, to start right now. In addition, I would ask you to consider walking with us daily in prayer and monthly in finances and 24 hours a day as “boots on the ground” and Stand in the Gap for Truth where you are.
Regardless of what level of commitment you choose, we – as God’s faithful – must now move ahead with boldness and faith, and not shrink and fade away. While God has done great things, He wants to do more “very good things,” and if He tarries, permit us and those like you to companion with us in these most critical days.
Looking Around
I likely don’t have to point out why this is all so important. After all, you are witness to everything that’s happening in our culture daily in your communities, workplaces, schools, churches and families. It’s no secret that America is in deep trouble morally. Our families are broken, our government system is derailed, our people divided. We are deep in debt; our enemies have surrounded us and have infiltrated our society. America has rejected God in practice and in law and has become arrogant.
Likewise, the American Church is lethargic, silent and mostly adulterous. The next generations are God-rejecting, feelings-oriented and devoid of a relationship with Christ. They are incapable of “keeping the Republic,” as Benjamin Franklin warned. Based on all this, APN and the Stand in the Gap family of programming is specifically designed to “Stand in the Gap for Truth” and to provide the leadership from the pulpit for truth.
We hope you will now join us in this very important mission!
Looking to You
If God has shown us one thing over the past five years, it’s that He’s not done with us yet.
There is still so much more on the horizon for the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media. Specifically, we are looking to God for His provision using you and our other friends, partners and listeners to meet these immediate and future needs:
SPECIAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
These are the four areas of need and opportunity where we see God leading APN, and we hope you’ll join us.
Please consider walking with us in the days ahead by providing a generous one-time financial gift today, or even better, by becoming a monthly partner as God guides us to move forward. Please consider including us in your year-end giving as well. Know that we also immensely value your prayers!
We know we’re changing hearts and minds. Will you be a part of the future of the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media?
“Standing in the Gap for Truth,”
Sam Rohrer
American Pastors Network President
True Christians Love Jewish People: An Article by Dr. Gary Dull
/0 Comments/in Blog /by News Roomby Dr. Gary Dull, Executive Director of the PA Pastors Network
Originally published in the Altoona Mirror HERE.
My heart was broken when I heard about the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last month.
I was sitting in my study preparing my sermon when the alert came. I immediately prayed, asking God to protect the people there. It was not until later that I heard 11 precious lives were taken by a very wicked man, and that others, including police officers, were injured.
Upon hearing the news, I was both angered at the shooter and sorrowful for those who were injured, killed or now deep in grief.
Personally, I cannot understand how anyone can go into a place of worship and kill innocent people. But, theologically, I realize this is possible because of the wicked sin nature that dwells within.
I agonize still because the shooter stated that “all Jews must die.”
That cuts deep into my soul even now. And yet I realize that many from all religions have disliked Jews as far back as Abraham. But this dislike should never be the case among biblical Christians.
In fact, biblical Christians absolutely love the Jewish people and love them absolutely.
Christians’ spiritual heritage is founded in Old Testament teachings, which are Jewish. Our beloved savior was Jewish.
And we often talk about our “Judeo-Christian heritage,” which is built upon Jewish doctrine and law. Without the Jewish people and Jewish teachings, we would have no Christian “religion,” no savior and, frankly, no hope of heaven.
In fact, everything we as Christians believe is grounded in Genesis, and the greatest description of our savior, Jesus Christ, is portrayed in Isaiah Chapter 53.
Christians cannot deny their spiritual relationship with the Jewish people and neither will they be separated from it throughout all of eternity. In fact, through faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah, believing Jews and believing Gentiles are a part of one eternal Body of Christ forever.
Corinthians 12:13 teaches this wonderful truth — and, during this Thanksgiving season, we should be grateful for that truth.
Yes, every true Christian loves Israel and the Jewish people. If one claims to be a Christian and has any dislike for Jews, then I seriously question the genuineness of that person’s salvation. True Christians want to see the nation of Israel protected and Jews live in peace.
On the Monday following the terrible shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, I had a strong urge to travel two hours to see what I, as a Baptist pastor, could do to stand with those of the Jewish congregation who were hurting.
As soon as I arrived, I began speaking with Jewish people and rabbis. I immediately sensed a bond of love and felt they were reaching out to me emotionally.
One of the rabbis hugged me and asked me to sing with him. Of course, I did, even though I did not know the song. Afterward, I learned the theme of the song focused on how God can turn hatred into love — amazing in light of the terrible act of hatred that took place just two days earlier.
As I look back on that day, I believe the mercy of God was at work in the heart of that rabbi. There we were — a Jewish rabbi and a Baptist pastor singing together on the sidewalk about God turning hatred into love.
With some, I shared a prayer and scripture; Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
It was a precious time I will never forget. And I am praying that God will allow me the opportunity to build that beautiful relationship with the people of the Tree of Life Synagogue.
Yes, true Christians love the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. We must pray for them. We must show the love of God to them. We must stand with them in their time of need.
Those who bless the Jewish people will be blessed by God. And I am convinced that every true Christian loves to love God’s special people, the Jews.
Pastor Gary Dull is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, a board member of the American Pastors Network and a co-host of APN’s “Stand in the Gap Today” daily radio program. He also pastors Faith Baptist Church of Altoona.
Photo by Yosef Pregadio on Unsplash
American Pastors Network: Thankful for God’s Blessings, Impact on APN, Pastors and Church Over Past Five Years
/0 Comments/in Blog, Release /by News RoomMany have heard the phrase, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” But for the past five years, God seems to be opening door after door for the American Pastors Network , as the nation’s influential resource for pastors and church leaders celebrates five years.
“Each day last week, it was a privilege to welcome guests to our ‘Stand in the Gap Today’ radio program who have been a part of the ministry’s success as we reflect on God’s many provisions and blessings over these past five years,” said APN President and radio and television host Sam Rohrer. “It has been gratifying and humbling to look back on this time and realize all God has accomplished through the American Pastors Network. We are ever mindful that this ministry belongs to God; it does not belong to us, we only lead and steward it. An attitude of genuine thankfulness is necessary for God’s continued blessing—it is an act of worship. We take to heart that God commands His leaders to rehearse what God has done to those within their sphere of influence so that our listeners and viewers know our heart and are open to God’s leading to walk along with us in their prayers, finances and time.”
The latest door to be opened in 2018 was APN’s new “Stand in the Gap” television program, which considers transcending cultural issues, seemingly difficult to navigate, from a biblical worldview perspective. “Stand in the Gap TV” airs on several networks, including WBPH in Philadelphia, VCY-TV in Milwaukee and Upliftv nationally.
“While bringing clarity to cultural confusion and making sense of the nonsense around us, ‘Stand in the Gap TV’ focuses on root problems and applies biblical principles so God’s people can know the truth,” Rohrer said. “And, praise God, more than 27 million households have access to this program—in fewer than six months!”
For the weekly, half-hour program, Rohrer and co-host and millennial pastor Isaac Crockett routinely welcome expert guests to lend insight into topics such as: gun control, immigration, opioid addiction, race relations, Israel, Islam, marriage, voting and more.
The “Stand in the Gap” radio ministry includes the 60-second “Stand in the Gap Minute” radio feature, which airs on 375 stations, and “Stand in the Gap Today,” which airs on 475 stations and is co-hosted by APNleaders Gary Dull and Dave Kistler, who both serve as presidents of APN state chapters. Additionally, “Stand in the Gap Weekend” re-airs the most engaging segments from the previous week on about 240 stations.
Rohrer added that many have remarked to APN how the lineup of programming has impacted their lives—and their faith.
“Thank you for what you are doing,” wrote one listener. “I meet so many people who listen to your ‘Stand in the Gap’ radio programs and I regularly tell others. We’re all in agreement that this is the miraculous hand of God at work! Praise God for doing the seemingly impossible!”
Another listener in Pennsylvania echoed these sentiments.
“Keep up the wonderful work you are doing in the name of Christ. May God richly bless you and enlarge your territory. As a former teacher, I am distressed at the extreme ignorance of our people—both Christian and non-Christian. The inability to think critically is being perpetuated by our colleges, schools and individuals. This nation does not realize it is not politics but a great spiritual battle taking place. Praise God we know who is really in charge.”
Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash