Melissa and Aaron Klein, the Oregon couple fined $135,000 for declining to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, recently talked with the hosts of “Stand in the Gap Today,” a daily one-hour program from the American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) that considers today’s pressing cultural issues.
After being accused of violating Oregon’s anti-discrimination laws—and experiencing the protests that followed—the Kleins have closed the doors of their business, and Melissa now bakes for friends and family out of their home.
But despite the steep fine, Melissa and Aaron aren’t backing down and are encouraging others to stand for their religious liberties as well.
APN President Sam Rohrer and co-hosts Gary Dull, APN board member, executive director and vice president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net), and Dave Kistler, president of the North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN, www.ncpastors.net), talked with the Kleins on Thursday, allowing them to tell their inspirational story and raise awareness about a concerted attack on religious liberties in America.
“Unless Christian Americans stand for truth and defend all of our religious liberties,” Rohrer said, “more and more of our freedoms will eventually be stripped away. If we remain silent, the world will assume that these freedoms are not important to us and that we are satisfied to bend to the ways of the world. We thank God that Melissa and Aaron Klein have not bent to those ways, and have not been broken, and we will continue to pray for them daily.”
To begin the portion of the program that featured Melissa and Aaron, Dull read a statement from the Kleins: “We will not give up this fight. We will not be silenced. We stand for God’s Truth, God’s Word and freedom for all Americans. We are here to obey God, not man, and we will not conform to this world. If we lose everything, it would be totally worth it for our Lord, who gave His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, for us all. God will win this fight.”
Aaron said on the show that the family is in the process of filing for a stay, which would allow them to appeal without accruing penalties and interest on the fine. He also recalled that, back in 2013 on the day of the original request, he politely apologized to one half of the couple when she inquired about a wedding cake, stating that he and Melissa did not create cakes for same-sex weddings due to their religious beliefs. That answer, he said, was worth a $135,000 fine.
Melissa said the couple has “technically” been able to stay in business, but are now operating out of their home. She said the two-and-a-half-year ordeal has been trying and difficult, and her five children—two of them 3-year-old twin boys—take up much of her time. The situation, she added, has been stressful on their marriage as well. “But we said ‘I do,’ and marriage is very important to us,” Melissa said. “Marriage is work … and I feel God is very much in our marriage, and He has helped us through this time.”
The baker added that this experience has been oddly “amazing” for her, because before this test, Melissa trusted God very little—neither with her finances nor with the bakery. But now, she said, she’s learned to trust God with everything, her faith has grown tremendously, her doubts are completely gone and a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
“Amen,” said Rohrer at the show’s closing. “Until sometimes we’re forced to walk with the Lord, we don’t really know how to trust Him.”
Listen to the full broadcast featuring Melissa and Aaron Klein at www.americanpastorsnetwork.net/resources.
Each weekday, “Stand in the Gap Today” considers current news topics and welcomes guests, including guest comments during “Phone-In Friday.” “Stand in the Gap Today” can be heard on several stations throughout Pennsylvania, via satellite and streamed lived online at www.1180wfyl.com. Past broadcasts can be heard at www.americanpastorsnetwork.net/resources.
A Man Who Stands Alone
/in Stand in the Gap Weekend /by Sam RohrerCake Bakers Melissa and Aaron Klein Talk to APN’s ‘Stand in the Gap Today’
/1 Comment/in News, Release /by News RoomMelissa and Aaron Klein, the Oregon couple fined $135,000 for declining to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, recently talked with the hosts of “Stand in the Gap Today,” a daily one-hour program from the American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) that considers today’s pressing cultural issues.
After being accused of violating Oregon’s anti-discrimination laws—and experiencing the protests that followed—the Kleins have closed the doors of their business, and Melissa now bakes for friends and family out of their home.
But despite the steep fine, Melissa and Aaron aren’t backing down and are encouraging others to stand for their religious liberties as well.
APN President Sam Rohrer and co-hosts Gary Dull, APN board member, executive director and vice president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net), and Dave Kistler, president of the North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN, www.ncpastors.net), talked with the Kleins on Thursday, allowing them to tell their inspirational story and raise awareness about a concerted attack on religious liberties in America.
“Unless Christian Americans stand for truth and defend all of our religious liberties,” Rohrer said, “more and more of our freedoms will eventually be stripped away. If we remain silent, the world will assume that these freedoms are not important to us and that we are satisfied to bend to the ways of the world. We thank God that Melissa and Aaron Klein have not bent to those ways, and have not been broken, and we will continue to pray for them daily.”
To begin the portion of the program that featured Melissa and Aaron, Dull read a statement from the Kleins: “We will not give up this fight. We will not be silenced. We stand for God’s Truth, God’s Word and freedom for all Americans. We are here to obey God, not man, and we will not conform to this world. If we lose everything, it would be totally worth it for our Lord, who gave His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, for us all. God will win this fight.”
Aaron said on the show that the family is in the process of filing for a stay, which would allow them to appeal without accruing penalties and interest on the fine. He also recalled that, back in 2013 on the day of the original request, he politely apologized to one half of the couple when she inquired about a wedding cake, stating that he and Melissa did not create cakes for same-sex weddings due to their religious beliefs. That answer, he said, was worth a $135,000 fine.
Melissa said the couple has “technically” been able to stay in business, but are now operating out of their home. She said the two-and-a-half-year ordeal has been trying and difficult, and her five children—two of them 3-year-old twin boys—take up much of her time. The situation, she added, has been stressful on their marriage as well. “But we said ‘I do,’ and marriage is very important to us,” Melissa said. “Marriage is work … and I feel God is very much in our marriage, and He has helped us through this time.”
The baker added that this experience has been oddly “amazing” for her, because before this test, Melissa trusted God very little—neither with her finances nor with the bakery. But now, she said, she’s learned to trust God with everything, her faith has grown tremendously, her doubts are completely gone and a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
“Amen,” said Rohrer at the show’s closing. “Until sometimes we’re forced to walk with the Lord, we don’t really know how to trust Him.”
Listen to the full broadcast featuring Melissa and Aaron Klein at www.americanpastorsnetwork.net/resources.
Each weekday, “Stand in the Gap Today” considers current news topics and welcomes guests, including guest comments during “Phone-In Friday.” “Stand in the Gap Today” can be heard on several stations throughout Pennsylvania, via satellite and streamed lived online at www.1180wfyl.com. Past broadcasts can be heard at www.americanpastorsnetwork.net/resources.
Stand in the Gap Today 7/17/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerHow do we deal with the “really big” threats in our lives? Or, more importantly, how do we hear the “really big” warnings from God in our lives? Hosts Sam Rohrer and Dave Kistler discuss the Chattanooga shooting, ISIS threats, and more!
God Gets the Last Laugh
/in Stand in the Gap Minute /by Sam RohrerStand in the Gap Today 7/16/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerThe Supreme Court decision on gay marriage prompts both a legal and moral response. Attorney David New joins the program to discuss the legal response, followed by Hosts Sam Rohrer and David Kistler discussing the worldwide moral response to the ruling.
Stand in the Gap Today 7/15/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerGuest Jimmy DeYoung, host of Prophecy Today, joins the program to discuss the Iran Nuclear Deal in light of biblical prophecy.
Stand in the Gap Today 07/14/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerHosts Sam Rohrer and Gary Dull discuss the Iran Nuclear Agreement. How does an agreement differ from a treaty and how has President Obama used this to his advantage? What does this deal mean for the US and it’s allies? Listen to this program to hear more breaking news on this historic event!
A Cracker Barrel Truth!
/0 Comments/in Blog /by News RoomWithin the last several weeks, a new Cracker Barrel restaurant has
opened in our area. Complete with a new interior design and exterior
appearance, this updated take on an already successful franchise has
culinary attendees lining up for the experience. Because the Kistler
family has frequented many a Cracker Barrel over the last 30 years, I
can honestly say that I am somewhat of an expert on the topic. Almost
without exception, we’ve found the Tennessee-based chain to be
incredibly consistent in all aspects of restaurant service! So, the
comments that follow are NOT meant to be critical! They just need to be
made for the purpose of making a larger point.
After enjoying a dining experience twice at our new Cracker Barrel, I’ve
noticed a distinct difference between the new location’s atmosphere and
service from those that are older. Perhaps most prominent is the
attitude of the wait staff. Though all employees are in training, the
smiles, eagerness to serve, and overall pleasantness make dining at the
new location a much preferred choice! A recent Cracker Barrel
experience, at a well-established location, underscores my point.
Rather than appearing excited to be there, the wait staff seemed tired,
overworked, and almost regretful that Betsy and I were even there. Even
the language used was tired and worn.
What makes my observations poignant is the fact that ministries can
suffer much the same unfortunate fate as a successful restaurant chain.
Rather than being thrilled to serve our Lord, and people, thru committed
adherence to God’s truth, we can become passionless and tired, even
responding in a less than excited way toward visitors. Rather than
eagerly anticipating each opportunity for collective worship and hearing
of the proclaimed word, we can (in weary, old location Cracker
Barrelesque fashion) unconsciously slip into a mundane, “I’ve done this
before” mode. The tragic result is that those to whom we minister can
pick up on our tired, passionless attitude.
Recently, I spent several days at one of our nation’s newer Christian
college ministries. Everyone with whom I interacted exuded a contagious
joy–such as was the case with Solomon’s servants–a joy that impressed
the Queen of Sheba. This ministry, especially it’s global media
operations, have a crystal clear understanding of why they exist! I
didn’t meet one individual who appeared displeased that I unexpectedly
entered their world. No, they were genuinely excited to see a visitor
to their area of ministry–so much so that it was difficult to get away
from them. When I spoke briefly at a staff chapel, they were
phenomenally and eagerly receptive of my message! Throughout the day,
as I encountered those who were in attendance at the chapel, I was
repeatedly thanked for coming and speaking! Such anticipatory
excitement hasn’t always been the case with other Christian ministries
I’ve visited. Far too often, I’ve felt somewhat like an intruder
because I interrupted their day’s work. Yet, people ARE the ministry!
They ARE the reason we enter ministry in the first place. They must
NEVER be viewed as unnecessary interruptions in our otherwise busy day!
So, to our new Cracker Barrel, as well as to my recently met new friends
in ministry, I say a giant “job well-done!” Simply keep up the great
work you are doing! Your understanding of Whose you are and why you
serve is coming through LOUD AND CLEAR! May EVERY genuine believer in
Christ exhibit the same contagious enthusiasm!
NOTE: The word “enthusiasm” comes from the compound Greek word “en”=in,
“Theos”=God–in other words, literally “God within.” When we are
possessed by Him, how can we be any way other than exuberant!
Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Stand in the Gap Today 7/13/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerStand in the Gap hosts discuss the financial disaster in Greece, the widening GOP Presidential candidate field, and the Iran Nuke Deal—all from a biblical and constitutional perspective.
Now That Same-Sex Marriage is the Law of the Land, What is the Church to Do?
/in Stand in the Gap Weekend /by Sam Rohrer