From America’s Pastors to President Obama and Congressional Leaders: Defend America not Islam
American Pastors Network: Administration Must Respond Now about Islamic Persecution of Christians, Get Serious about Stopping Islamic Terrorism
The American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsetwork.net), a national network that provides Bible-based and constitutionally consistent analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy, says the Congressional and Obama Administration stand against ISIS and other terrorist groups is neither serious nor compelling.
APN President Sam Rohrer, a longtime legislator, says how seriously we in America deal with Islam is in direct relationship to our level of commitment to defending our Constitutional Republic and protecting the God-given rights guaranteed in our Constitution.
“It is the firm conviction of the American Pastors Network that Islamic Sharia Law is incompatible with and mutually exclusive to our Constitutional form of government,” Rohrer said.
APN, therefore, is working to educate America, through pastors speaking to their congregations, about the evils of Islam and its stated mission to exterminate all Christians and Jews. APN also says that the Obama Administration must quit coddling the advance of Islam and get serious in defending Christians and Jews against persecution and using all necessary force to end the increasing acts of terrorism.
Rohrer, in recent conversations and joint interviews, has asked one of the nation’s leading converted Muslims, the Rev. Majed El Shafie, how American Christians can help the persecuted around the world, but especially believers suffering at the hand of the Islamic militants.
El Shafie, a human rights advocate and founder of One Free World International (www.onefreeworldinternational.org), told Rohrer that Christians must be involved, “both in the inside and the outside, to influence their government to take effective and credible action against this threat.”
Rohrer points to Hebrews 13:3, which gives a very clear command to believers regarding others who are being persecuted for their faith: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves in the body.”
El Shafie also noted that in countries that employ Sharia Law, statements and actions are mutually exclusive, for example, Shiite Muslims in Iran and Sunnis in Saudi Arabia. Many, he added, would call out Turkey as an exception. “However,” El Shafie said, “while they can be pointed to as a positive example for the supporters of Sharia when their government was separate from their religion, they are now an example of all Islam, as they are ruled by the Islam party and becoming very fast supporters of full Sharia Law.”
Many of American Pastors Network recent radio broadcasts have focused on the dangers of Islam infiltrating America. Gary Dull, Executive Director and Vice President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network and an APN board member, recently spoke with Rohrer on the air about how pastors can make their congregations understand the serious battle against Islam—especially in the wake of publicized beheadings and vocal threats against America.
“First of all,” Rohrer said, “we have to realize that words mean something, and these terrorists mean what they say. How much more killing and destruction are needed before we are convinced? Second, we must understand that all religions are not equal, and that in our nation, the presupposition of freedom of religion is from the standpoint of worshiping the God of the Bible. These principles alone have given us our Constitution.
“The Constitution did not entertain the concept that its provisions would protect the actions of people who hate our God, hate God-given rights, hate Jesus Christ and the concept of redemption and salvation and judgment and seek to destroy our system of law and replace it with Sharia law or any diametrically opposed system of law.” he continued. “Our country’s founders never envisioned a time when they would grant those kinds of equal rights and recognition to those who were literally cutting the heart out of our founding, Bible-based principles. If we make the claim that all religions are equal—even those that purport evil—our Constitution and Republic cannot and will not survive.”
Evangelist Dave Kistler, President of the North Carolina Pastors Network, a chapter of APN, added that the current heightened persecution of Christians illustrates the need for a strong stand against those who make it their mission to attack Christianity.
“Not since the days of the apostles has the church of Jesus Christ experienced such intense persecution,” Kistler said. “Tragically, much of the frontal attack against Christian belief is coming from the Islamic world. From believers being incarcerated for their faith to
Christians being brutally tortured and killed for their refusal to convert to Islam, the world is witnessing an unprecedented attack on Judeo-Christian thought.
“It is imperative,” he continued, “that the leaders of the free world, especially the President of the United States, understand the plight of Christians globally and respond to their desperate cries appropriately, by standing unequivocally for their right to freely practice their firmly held religious beliefs.”
APN is the largest national network of pastors who believe in the authority of Scripture, boldly preach the whole counsel of God with a disciplined application of a biblical worldview to matters of public policy, are building a permanent infrastructure of biblically faithful pastors and lay leaders, and are mobilizing congregations to participate in the political process on a non-partisan basis.
By growing state chapters who will support the mission, APN is building a nationwide, permanent infrastructure of like-minded pastors who:
- Affirm the authority of scripture
- Take seriously Jesus’ command to be “salt and light” to the culture
- Want to encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary social issues
- Want to examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits, using well-prepared teaching and preaching resources
- Want to engage their congregations in taking part in our political process on a non-partisan basis.
The American Pastors Network has a mission to identify, encourage, equip, educate and network pastors and church members to “Stand in the Gap for Truth” across the nation while providing Bible-based and constitutionally consistent analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy. APN is the largest, national network of pastors who believe in the authority of scripture, who boldly preach the whole counsel of God with a disciplined application of a biblical worldview to public policy, and who are building a permanent infrastructure of biblically faithful pastors and lay leaders and mobilizing congregations to participate in the political process.
For more information on APN, visit www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net or call 610.584.1225.
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a group of biblically faithful clergy and church liaisons whose objective is to build a permanent infrastructure of like-minded clergy 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 social issues, examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits and engage their congregations in taking part in our political process on a non-partisan basis.
For more information on PPN, visit www.papastors.net or call 610.584.1225.
The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
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To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network and Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton at dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
Sources: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/shiite_muslims/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2003/04/17/fact-sheet-shiites-iraq/
American Pastors Network Calls for Return to Biblical Constraint in Upholding Justice
/3 Comments/in News, Release, Uncategorized /by News RoomPHILADELPHIA—Soon after the city of Ferguson, Mo., announced that police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted on homicide charges for the death of Michael Brown, lawlessness erupted on the streets.
In the hours and days after the announcement, protestors—some of whom turned violent—burned locally owned businesses and police cruisers, despite the pleas of local pastors, the NAACP and Brown’s family to keep the protests peaceful. By Wednesday, about 45 had been arrested and countless buildings burned to the ground.
Sam Rohrer, President of the American Pastors Network (APN,www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net), says the problem is one of lawlessness masquerading as justice, both in Ferguson and around the country.
“From the very highest levels of government to the streets of Ferguson, we are witnessing the practical repudiation of the rule of law, moral law and constitutional civil law under the false pretense of justice,” Rohrer said. “Our nation, in this ‘Holy Experiment’ of self-government as envisioned by William Penn, was possible, he said, only if the citizens submitted themselves to the 10 Commandments of God. This developing love affair with lawlessness not only threatens our very republic but also will be judged by God Himself. It must be repudiated by all who fear God and love freedom, from the White House to the row house.”
Rohrer adds that any consideration for truth and biblical justice regarding current events—in Ferguson or in the White House and other situations—is conspicuously missing.
“Unless our citizens and leaders direct their energies to the good of others and submit themselves to God’s moral law, lawlessness will continue. If the interest is to preserve our freedom, then duty and responsibility, not license, must be embraced and demonstrated. Where there is no fear of God, there can be no freedom.”
Todd Johnson, a member of the APN leadership council and the pastor of First Immanuel Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, echoed these thoughts.
“When a law is broken, the way to fix it is not to riot or destroy property but to demonstrate peaceably,” Johnson said. “Lawlessness never leads to justice, only to anarchy.”
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The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
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To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network andPennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton atdhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
American Pastors Network: Thankfulness— A Command, Not a Suggestion
/0 Comments/in News, Release /by News RoomAPN Demonstrates How to Be Thankful in all Things
PHILADELPHIA—It may be difficult to be thankful in a world full of sin and strife, but American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) is reminding Christians this Thanksgiving season that thanking God daily is much more than something we should do—it’s something we must do.
“Later this week, we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving Day,” said APN President Sam Rohrer in one of APN’s recent “Stand in the Gap” radio features, “but giving thanks to God every day is important for many reasons. First, it’s a command. In I Thessalonians 5:18, we’re told to give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will. Giving thanks in all circumstances in the life of a Christian is sometimes hard to do. In sickness, in disease, in poverty and persecution? Yes!
“Job was a man who lost his children and his possessions, and even his wife told him to curse God and die, but Job did what God commands us to do,” Rohrer continued. “He praised God in the midst of the most horrible of circumstances. You see, God’s strength is most evident and his power most awesome when we’re weak and in greatest need. If you trust in the Lord and thank Him for all things, your light will shine bright. This is God’s will.”
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The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
American Pastors Network: At Thanksgiving, Being Thankful and Obedient Gives Way to Peace Only God Can Give
/0 Comments/in Release, Uncategorized /by News RoomThe American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) is reminding Christians this Thanksgiving season that, even in the face of trouble and trials, thanking God daily—not only on November 27—brings us peace that passes all understanding.
“We’ll soon celebrate Thanksgiving Day,” said APN President Sam Rohrer in one of APN’s recent “Stand in the Gap” radio features. “But giving thanks to God every day is important if you want God’s peace. In these uncertain days of disease, daily Islamic threats, economic uncertainties, and attacks on God’s institution of marriage and on pastors themselves, peace can be elusive. Yet we’re told in Philippians 4 that we must not be anxious for anything. To worry and fret is to doubt God’s ability to meet our needs and His love for us.
“To try to work it out for ourselves rather than seek God’s help relegates God to the back seat,” Rohrer continued. “We’re told instead to pray and give thanks in everything, and God will give us great peace even in the midst of the biggest storms. Praying and being thankful go hand-in-hand. While giving thanks starts with obedience, it alone yields the kind of peace that only God can give.”
Rohrer added that while giving thanks has great benefits, it is ultimately an act of the will and often requires a determined choice when emotions say that there is little reason for thankfulness. He emphasized that the Christian life has very little to do with emotions but everything to do with making a decision to obey, follow and trust God regardless of where feelings might pull. True thankfulness is not a feeling, but a decision.
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American Pastors Network Marks Year of Growth and Impact
/0 Comments/in News, Release /by News RoomPHILADELPHIA—More than a year after its formation, American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) is looking back at the issues that touched Americans and how APN has responded—in word and in deed—and looking ahead to increasing its impact on the culture, nationwide and beyond.
“As we reflect on nearly 14 months since our inception, American Pastors Network has taken the lead on many pressing cultural and societal issues from a Biblical and constitutional perspective,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “From protecting the sanctity of marriage here in America to helping our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine, APN is committed to fulfilling our mission of encouraging, equipping and educating pastors and church members, urging them to ‘Stand in the Gap for Truth.’ At the same time, APN will continually strive to provide Bible-based and constitutionally consistent insight on matters that affect all of us every day.
“Our ‘Ministers Together’ program bridges the gap between ‘Church and State’ and rebuilds the biblical worldview perspective as ordained by God. It is a prime example of how we are working to bring together pastors, who uniquely possess the command to ‘Preach the Word’ (II Tim. 4:2), and those in elected office, who are not just ‘politicians’ but who occupy an equally ordained position as ‘Ministers of God,’ with the clear job description of servants of God and God’s servants to the people (Rom 13:4).”
APN’s first official move as a new organization in September 2013 was hosting a press conference regarding the forum on “Politics, Religion, And LGBT Equality” in North Carolina, organized by gay activist and business/furniture mogul Mitchell Gold. The event, which included CNN news personality Wolf Blitzer as the moderator and two liberal North Carolina pastors, aimed to tell the public that attitudes in the Christian church are becoming more favorable toward the LGTB community. APN’s press conference countered this claim with biblical truths and explained what God’s word says about marriage and human sexuality.
Then in February, APN supported 100 pastors in Michigan who were standing for marriage protection in their state. And APN helped lead the effort in Pennsylvania to urge Gov. Tom Corbett to defend his state’s Defense of Marriage Act. Throughout the remainder of the year, APN commented extensively on issues such as the dangers of Islam and Sharia Law, abortion, religious liberties—including the Hobby Lobby ruling—and pastors’ freedom of speech rights. Issues in states from Indiana to Arizona and Idaho to Florida are the focus of the American Pastors Network as they continue to expand state networks across the U.S.
APN also supported or participated in several pastor-focused events in 2014, including the “Washington—Man of Prayer” webcast event and National Day of Prayer in May; the Washington, D.C., March for Marriage in June; as well as October’s nationwide Pulpit Freedom Sunday initiative and the recent “I Stand Sunday” event, which supported the subpoenaed pastors in Houston.
In 2014, APN also grew its radio program, “Stand in the Gap,” with both short daily features and a one-hour weekend program. By mid-summer, APN debuted its newest program, “Stand in the Gap—Freedom Focus,” a one-hour daily program consisting of national and international news analysis. APN radio programming now airs on more than 40 stations.
“These efforts represent just the beginning of APN’s work to encourage pastors to speak Biblical Truth with a united voice into the family, the church and civil government,” Rohrer continued. “We are looking forward to continuing to build state chapters across the nation, with the goal of establishing 50 state chapters representing 100,000 pastors and 10 million Americans by mid-July 2016.”
Taking the biblical principles of constitutional government beyond our nation’s borders, APN also has taken an active role in rebuilding the country of Ukraine—politically, culturally and spiritually. In June, APN was invited to host a leadership summit aimed at teaching pastors and elected officials about constitutional and biblical principles. Future summits focusing on education and the Constitution are in the works.
As a result of the summit, Rohrer reported that Ukrainian governmental and pastoral leaders composed a 14-point resolution for President Petro Poroshenko, urging the nation to move forward and incorporate the principles presented at the summit into government reform and a new Ukrainian Constitution. In response, Poroshenko formed a Spiritual Restoration Committee.
To communicate its commitment to Ukraine, APN unveiled its special “Ukraine Initiative: Out of the Ashes | Freedom Reborn” web site at www.ukraineinitiative.com. The web site is a centralized place for Ukraine updates and ongoing projects.
The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
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To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network and Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton at dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
American Pastors Network: Subpoenas Only Part of the Problem
/0 Comments/in News /by News RoomPHILADELPHIA—American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) released the following statement following Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s announcement this morning that she will withdraw subpoenas against five Houston pastors demanding their private communication regarding homosexuality.
“From the beginning, this issue has been about thought-policing anyone who supports God’s design for sexuality,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “What we saw with this specific targeting of Christian pastors through these subpoenas, as well as through the rejection of a petition with more than 50,000 citizen signatures, is the clear repudiation of God, Christianity, Jesus Christ, religious freedom, morality, decency, the Rule of Law and the Constitution. The subpoenas were a direct attack on the Constitutionally guaranteed right of religious freedom and on the God-given duty for pastors to speak Biblical truth to their congregations. The subpoenas may be gone, but the problem still remains as Mayor Parker prepares to defend the ordinance that gives preferential treatment to the LBGT community.”
Earlier this month, five pastors in Houston were sent subpoenas, as attorneys for the city demanded their sermon notes and congregational communications about homosexuality, transgenderism, or Mayor Annise Parker, who is an open lesbian. The subpoenas are part of an ongoing lawsuit about a bathroom ordinance in Houston that gives special rights to homosexual and transgendered individuals—an ordinance in place even though more than 50,000 objected and signed a petition to oppose it, more than double the number of signatures required to place the issue on the ballot before voters. The petition was rejected by the council on a technicality.
On Nov. 2, Christians across America can join together for “I Stand Sunday” (www.IStandSunday.com), hosted by Family Research Council at Grace Community Church, 14505 Gulf Freeway in Houston.
Speakers from across the nation will gather to focus on the freedom to live out our faith, free of government intrusion or monitoring. APN is a partnering organization for “I Stand Sunday.”
The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
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To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network and Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton at dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
Source:
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Mayor-set-to-make-announcement-on-sermon-subpoenas-5855458.php
November 2014 Pulpit Champion-Dr. Edward Mallonee
/1 Comment/in Pulpit Champion /by News RoomThe American Pastors Network announces it’s Pulpit Champion for the month of November, 2014. Each month we’ll highlight a Pastor who has demonstrated a desire to promote the mission, vision, and purpose of APN. This month we have chosen Dr. Edward Mallonee, Senior Pastor of the Faith Baptist Church in Beaver Spring, PA and a member of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network Leadership Council. He has been a pastor for 47 years! His church owns 3 radio stations broadcasting out of the Beaver Springs, PA area with several new stations in the works. You can find out more about the radio stations here: http://streema.com/radios/Christian_Radio_WFBM_WFBV_90.1_FM
We asked Dr. Mallonee three questions regarding his life and ministry. He responded with these answers.
God’s pastors have always been responsible to speak out against the sins of the people; warn them of judgment; offer to them the message of hope in Christ. The saying, “Bad politicians are elected by good people who do not vote” also goes for bad things, laws, philosophies, etc. which prevail when “good” pastors (that is, those who know the truth) fail to speak out. That mandate is based upon Ezek. 33:1-20
Thank you, Pastor Mallonee, for being our Pulpit Champion of the month!
America Split, As Extremism Takes Hold
/1 Comment/in News, Release /by News RoomPastors around the country saw an unthinkable scenario play out in America last week—one many never thought they’d see in their lifetime. In a country built on freedom, five pastors in Houston were served subpoenas, and attorneys demanded the submission of sermon notes and conversations with congregation members relating to homosexuality or transgenderism.
Sam Rohrer, a longtime legislator and President of American Pastors Network, a national network that provides Bible-based and constitutionally consistent analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy, says the recent news out of Houston proves there are three distinct extreme movements happening simultaneously in America—all aimed at stripping freedom of religion and freedom of speech from Christians.
“This disturbing news about our fellow pastors in Houston has far-reaching implications,” Rohrer said. “I see three sectors of the American culture, which by their own actions, are demonstrating hatred toward God, Christianity, Jesus Christ, religious freedom, morality, decency, the Rule of Law and the Constitution. While their intentions and goals are different, the extreme tactics and messaging of Islam, Communism/Marxism/atheism and the well-organized, well-funded homosexual agenda have frightening similarities: all demand agreement with them, or else. This is where political correctness and forsaking God has brought this nation. It’s time that all those who would not subscribe to the ideologies of these three groups stand together, or we will hang separately.
The issue in Houston began last year, when the city elected its first openly lesbian mayor. This spring, Mayor Annise Parker and two City Council members pushed an ordinance that gave special rights to homosexuals and the transgender individuals. The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) allowed men to use women’s restrooms and vice versa, all in the name of “equal rights.”
The people of Houston protested and gathered more than 50,000 signatures on a petition opposing the ordinance—well over double the number necessary to put the issue in front of voters. But Parker and the Council threw out the petition, citing irregularities. The mayor and the city are facing a lawsuit over the ordinance, and while fighting it, attorneys subpoenaed five pastors for their sermon notes dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Parker herself. Last week, Parker admitted that the subpoenas may have been ‘overly broad,’ but they have yet to be recalled.
“While the issue in this case is homosexuality,” Rohrer continued, “the underlying philosophy of thought policing is exactly the same as what we see with Islamic Sharia law. In each case, dissent is not permissible. This is yet another reason Sharia law is incompatible with our U.S. Constitution. Under our Constitution, religious leaders are free to teach against Christianity, but Sharia law would mean pastors would be targeted for preaching Christ. And already, this is happening, as pastors are facing pressure by groups who have their own extreme agendas.”
How long will it be, Rohrer asked, before pastors will be quieted about educating their churches on the dangers of the infiltration of Islam and Sharia Law in America? One pastor was already censored in August when his videotaped sermon on ISIS was removed from YouTube and his account was frozen. YouTube has since reversed its ban on Pastor Daniel Ausbun of First Baptist Church in Moreland, Ga., and his account is live again.
Alliance Defending Freedom is helping the Houston pastors, and one of its attorneys, Christina Holcomb, said in a statement that “political and social commentary is not a crime. It is protected by the First Amendment.”
To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network and Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton at dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
Sources:
A Wake-Up Call to Pastors
/1 Comment/in Release /by News RoomOn Wednesday, October 13th, Sam Rohrer interviewed with Jim Schneider from VCY America Crosstalk. (Please click on the audio file above to hear Sam Rohrer’s interview on VCY America Crosstalk titled “A Wake-up Call to Pastors”.)
This Crosstalk featured Sam bringing a biblical perspective to two attacks facing America. The first dealt with the state of Texas where Houston officials have issued subpoenas demanding that a group of pastors turn over copies of sermons and sermon notes that deal with homosexuality and gender identity. In addition, some pastors were also ordered to turn over all communications with members of the congregation regarding Houston’s non-discrimination law. Those pastors that fail to comply could be held in contempt of court. Sam believes this is intimidation in order to jump over the protections of the First Amendment and is reminiscent of the activities of the old Soviet Union.
Sam also discussed what he feels is the greatest threat to the gospel and to religious freedom. It’s the threat of Islam. He pointed to the Oklahoma City beheading and the continuing terrorism of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Why are so many pastors silent on this issue? Sam noted that pastors either don’t know what to say, they’re afraid to speak what they do know or they’re afraid that if they say something counter to what Islam is, it may harm their ability to preach the gospel to a Muslim who needs the Lord.
Sam also gave brief mention to those who adhere to a Communist/Marxist/atheistic philosophy, a philosophy that is also antithetical to God and Jesus Christ. Together with the organized homosexual lobby and Islam, they all have a common goal to destroy Christianity, the Bible, decency, morality, the rule of law and our constitutional frame of government.
Commentary taken from: http://www.vcyamerica.org/blog/2014/10/15/a-wake-up-call-to-pastors
Leadership Must Take A Stronger Stand Against Islam
/1 Comment/in News /by News RoomFrom America’s Pastors to President Obama and Congressional Leaders: Defend America not Islam
American Pastors Network: Administration Must Respond Now about Islamic Persecution of Christians, Get Serious about Stopping Islamic Terrorism
The American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsetwork.net), a national network that provides Bible-based and constitutionally consistent analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy, says the Congressional and Obama Administration stand against ISIS and other terrorist groups is neither serious nor compelling.
APN President Sam Rohrer, a longtime legislator, says how seriously we in America deal with Islam is in direct relationship to our level of commitment to defending our Constitutional Republic and protecting the God-given rights guaranteed in our Constitution.
“It is the firm conviction of the American Pastors Network that Islamic Sharia Law is incompatible with and mutually exclusive to our Constitutional form of government,” Rohrer said.
APN, therefore, is working to educate America, through pastors speaking to their congregations, about the evils of Islam and its stated mission to exterminate all Christians and Jews. APN also says that the Obama Administration must quit coddling the advance of Islam and get serious in defending Christians and Jews against persecution and using all necessary force to end the increasing acts of terrorism.
Rohrer, in recent conversations and joint interviews, has asked one of the nation’s leading converted Muslims, the Rev. Majed El Shafie, how American Christians can help the persecuted around the world, but especially believers suffering at the hand of the Islamic militants.
El Shafie, a human rights advocate and founder of One Free World International (www.onefreeworldinternational.org), told Rohrer that Christians must be involved, “both in the inside and the outside, to influence their government to take effective and credible action against this threat.”
Rohrer points to Hebrews 13:3, which gives a very clear command to believers regarding others who are being persecuted for their faith: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves in the body.”
El Shafie also noted that in countries that employ Sharia Law, statements and actions are mutually exclusive, for example, Shiite Muslims in Iran and Sunnis in Saudi Arabia. Many, he added, would call out Turkey as an exception. “However,” El Shafie said, “while they can be pointed to as a positive example for the supporters of Sharia when their government was separate from their religion, they are now an example of all Islam, as they are ruled by the Islam party and becoming very fast supporters of full Sharia Law.”
Many of American Pastors Network recent radio broadcasts have focused on the dangers of Islam infiltrating America. Gary Dull, Executive Director and Vice President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network and an APN board member, recently spoke with Rohrer on the air about how pastors can make their congregations understand the serious battle against Islam—especially in the wake of publicized beheadings and vocal threats against America.
“First of all,” Rohrer said, “we have to realize that words mean something, and these terrorists mean what they say. How much more killing and destruction are needed before we are convinced? Second, we must understand that all religions are not equal, and that in our nation, the presupposition of freedom of religion is from the standpoint of worshiping the God of the Bible. These principles alone have given us our Constitution.
“The Constitution did not entertain the concept that its provisions would protect the actions of people who hate our God, hate God-given rights, hate Jesus Christ and the concept of redemption and salvation and judgment and seek to destroy our system of law and replace it with Sharia law or any diametrically opposed system of law.” he continued. “Our country’s founders never envisioned a time when they would grant those kinds of equal rights and recognition to those who were literally cutting the heart out of our founding, Bible-based principles. If we make the claim that all religions are equal—even those that purport evil—our Constitution and Republic cannot and will not survive.”
Evangelist Dave Kistler, President of the North Carolina Pastors Network, a chapter of APN, added that the current heightened persecution of Christians illustrates the need for a strong stand against those who make it their mission to attack Christianity.
“Not since the days of the apostles has the church of Jesus Christ experienced such intense persecution,” Kistler said. “Tragically, much of the frontal attack against Christian belief is coming from the Islamic world. From believers being incarcerated for their faith to
Christians being brutally tortured and killed for their refusal to convert to Islam, the world is witnessing an unprecedented attack on Judeo-Christian thought.
“It is imperative,” he continued, “that the leaders of the free world, especially the President of the United States, understand the plight of Christians globally and respond to their desperate cries appropriately, by standing unequivocally for their right to freely practice their firmly held religious beliefs.”
APN is the largest national network of pastors who believe in the authority of Scripture, boldly preach the whole counsel of God with a disciplined application of a biblical worldview to matters of public policy, are building a permanent infrastructure of biblically faithful pastors and lay leaders, and are mobilizing congregations to participate in the political process on a non-partisan basis.
By growing state chapters who will support the mission, APN is building a nationwide, permanent infrastructure of like-minded pastors who:
The American Pastors Network has a mission to identify, encourage, equip, educate and network pastors and church members to “Stand in the Gap for Truth” across the nation while providing Bible-based and constitutionally consistent analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy. APN is the largest, national network of pastors who believe in the authority of scripture, who boldly preach the whole counsel of God with a disciplined application of a biblical worldview to public policy, and who are building a permanent infrastructure of biblically faithful pastors and lay leaders and mobilizing congregations to participate in the political process.
For more information on APN, visit www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net or call 610.584.1225.
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a group of biblically faithful clergy and church liaisons whose objective is to build a permanent infrastructure of like-minded clergy 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 social issues, examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits and engage their congregations in taking part in our political process on a non-partisan basis.
For more information on PPN, visit www.papastors.net or call 610.584.1225.
The American Pastors Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network.
###
To interview Sam Rohrer, President of American Pastors Network and Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Deborah Hamilton at dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com, 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096.
Sources: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/shiite_muslims/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2003/04/17/fact-sheet-shiites-iraq/
Answers on ISIS
/2 Comments/in Release /by News RoomSam Rohrer, President of the American Pastors Network, was recently interviewed on Fox News alongside one of the nation’s leading converted Muslims, the Rev. Majed El Shafie, human rights advocate and founder of One Free World International (www.onefreeworldinternational.org).
Before the interview, Rohrer said APN leaders had been discussing how to educate American pastors about Christian persecution, and Islamic terrorism in particular so that they could better teach their congregations about how to respond to persecution. After his time with El Shafie, Rohrer said he posed several key questions weighing on the minds of American citizens, as well as pastors, churches, and Christians generally.
SAM ROHRER: How real/imminent is the ISIS threat to the United States and American and/or Western Christians?
MAJED EL SHAFIE: This is not simply about ISIS. There were other organizations before ISIS, there are others operating as we speak, and if ISIS is defeated others will rise up to take its place. The issue is an extremist ideology that manifests in a multitude of organizations with varied methods but one common goal. Each attack by these groups against Americans abroad or groups actually or symbolically perceived as representing American interests and ideology, such as local Christians, without a credible response from the U.S., diminishes American stature in their eyes and consequently its ability to counteract future attacks. As a result, ISIS and its likes are a very real and imminent threat to the U.S. and American interests at home and abroad.
SR: What practical distinction is there between a moderate Muslim and ISIS/fundamentalist Muslim, of which some say there are 300 million?
MES: There are various estimates of the numbers of fundamentalist Muslims and one must be cautious because the numbers experts use depend on how one defines a “moderate” or “fundamentalist” Muslim. Some people only consider the number of active or potentially active terrorists relevant, which limits the number by age and demographics to a finite maximum depending on the metrics used. On the other hand, if one counts the percentage of the population who support the activities of such terrorists either through active logistical and other operational support or through promoting or simply espousing an extremist interpretation of Islam, the number is much larger. At the same time, polls, as I’m sure you are aware, can be misleading because of the way questions are phrased and/or the willingness or unwillingness of respondents to be candid with their answers. In this case, such polls are all over the map, indicating anything from 20% to 80% support among Muslims for extremist ideologies and activities. Having said this, a conservative view of 20% or even 10% of an estimated 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, amounts to 150-300 million people which is a significant number capable of almost anything.
SR: Other than pray, what can American Christians do to help the persecuted Christians in the Middle East in particular and around the world generally?
MES: American Christians must become interested in the lives and circumstances of their brothers and sisters around the world and educate themselves about the persecution that is taking place, not only in Muslim countries, but elsewhere as well. They must educate themselves about Islam generally speaking and about Islamic extremists in particular and about the U.S. government’s policies and actions in this regard, going behind the headlines and the reporting by the liberal mainstream media to seek the truth. Finally, they must get involved, both on the inside and outside, to influence their government to take effective and credible action against this threat.
SR: What should the American church/Christians do to help prevent persecution in America?
MES: American Christians must vote for and promote a strong and determined policy overseas and at home that puts the freedoms for which our ancestors died first, and clearly and directly, from a position of strength, confronts all ideologies and actions that are not compatible with those freedoms. They should get involved and educate themselves and their neighbors to take a respectful but strong and uncompromising stand against any threat to our freedoms.
SR: What would be the most important message we can give to the Christians of America?
MES: To the Christians of America: Our brothers and sisters in Muslim countries have been on the frontlines of this spiritual war for hundreds of years. We must not leave them without our support nor expect that this war will not touch us. If we manage to escape without being persecuted we should be grateful, but we should also know that we will be judged for how we use the freedom that we have been granted. If persecution does come our way, we must remember that we are in this world but not of it. They can kill the dreamer but they cannot kill the dream, or paraphrasing our Lord, “they can kill the body but they cannot kill our soul.”
Rohrer added that on a recent trip to Ukraine for a leadership summit with pastors and elected officials, he made the distinction that the United States was a nation based on biblical principles from a Christian perspective, rather than a “Christian” nation. He acknowledges that while America is home to people of many faiths, the religious freedom we’ve enjoyed by law arises only from a Biblical worldview that recognizes that while God loves every soul, He will not force people to accept His salvation. However, when other religions exist to force people to convert or be killed, this not only threatens freedom but directly attacks our Constitutional system of law and must be opposed.
It is the firm conviction of the American Pastors Network that Islamic sharia law is incompatible with and mutually exclusive to our Constitutional form of government.