Dr. Gary Wohl Observes Operation Save America in Action

Dr. Gary Wohl recently visited with us for six weeks in Concord, North Carolina. Dr. Wohl is a graduate, suma cum laude, of the University of Pennsylvania and just completed his Doctor of Ministry degree this past spring. We enjoyed his visit immensely and were honored that he would be able to spend some time with us. Here is a bird's eye view of some of his observations.

Dr. Gary Wohl Observes Operation Save America in Action

I spent six weeks in Concord, NC, this fall with Flip Benham and Operation Save America. The intensity of ministry and the depth of commitment on the part of those involved was something that was truly inspiring to me. Also, the entire experience was an eye-opener to the true battle going on in our nation.

The outreach efforts were devoted mostly to four sites: 1) a Charlotte abortion clinic; 2) a local high school; 3) a Starbucks outlet, and 4) a site outside of a local mall. Each experience offered insight as to what is going on in our nation:

Every Saturday local Christians would situate themselves on property outside the clinic, a right which had only been won through hard fought legal struggles. Faithfully, these Christians would reach out to entrants, who displayed various responses, including: jocularity, mocking, private chit-chat, or simply hurrying through in silence. Occasionally, some would stop and talk, while even more wonderfully, several turned away and made a decision for life.

The Starbucks events were also dramatic. Starbucks is a sponsor of the Charlotte Gay Pride festival and boasts of its support for the local community. Yet it rebuffs efforts that clearly prove that events like Charlotte Pride are totally inappropriate for children and public display. Starbucks has come out of the closet as an enemy of God and a promoter of public homosexual perversity.

Flip and the gang went faithfully, mike in hand, boldly proclaiming the truth concerning this sponsorship, and providing evidence to anyone who would listen. My observation was that most of the criticism directed toward these efforts came from those professing Christ, many saying that such confrontation was not Biblical, nor exemplifying the love of Christ. I wonder how many bothered to look at the evidence (available on a website, www.charlotterighteous.org for all to see), and what they would consider appropriately Christian.

As far as I know, the financial sponsorship of these Gay Pride events by Starbucks and others continues. How ironic, when North Carolina state regulations concerning child care institutions disqualify anyone serving who has evidenced moral turpitude, yet this extreme behavior celebrating perversity takes place, not only in front of children, but in public with the city's blessing and corporate backing. I am still aghast.

A third site was a local high school, North Mecklenburg High. Upon hearing a report of several students hospitalized during a riot, and others sent to the ER, Flip organized an event for a weekday morn. Fortified with a replica of the Ten Commandments and a large wooden cross, the gang handed out flyers and spoke, while standing outside school property. Amazingly, the school administrators kept the kids on the buses, and prevented kids from approaching, all in the name of protection and supervision. What a shame. Kids captive to administrators, while the dangerous message of peace, forgiveness and love is muzzled. No wonder we read reports of scholastic chaos and worse every day.

Finally, an outreach, underway eight consecutive weeks before I arrived, was scheduled to continue outside the local mall on Friday. The day I arrived, it was announced that the permit had been suddenly revoked. Undeterred, Operation Save America continued onward. The Concord government cited participants and issued fines totaling $8,000, which, when contested, were dropped. When confronted, the city backed down, realizing that, not only was this implementation of the statute unwise, but the code itself indefensible. Only because some wise Christians knew enough to stand up for their rights. Thank you Flip!

My conclusion? When will Christians open their eyes to the loss of freedom and the dire state of our nation? Even those crying the loudest about Starbucks' promotion were unwilling to join with Flip. I am ashamed.

The church is ignored in our nation today largely because she is unwilling to pay the price. While homosexuals proudly prance and parade their sin like Sodom, we, in the church, remain safely within the fours walls of our building, ashamed of our Savior. We will gladly do ministry, as long as the sinners come to us, and ask our help. But enough of this going out into the streets, where we may not be welcome. So the statutes stay on the books, the parks become a forum for debauchery, and we sit back and complain, not willing to risk our reputations. Shame on us.

I do not suggest that I have the answers. But we had better be willing to join with those like Flip and others who are taking a stand, or we have nothing to complain about. Continue to silently pray, but please spare me the sermon and flyer inserts on these issues unless you're willing to stand up.