Central Church of God Responds to OSA Visit on Sunday, July 18, 2010

In February 2010, an anti-abortion group Operation Save America called and asked if they could visit our campus on a Sunday. They wanted to hand out pamphlets along with graphic images at our doors in order to recruit people for their cause. When we declined this request, their response was "we will be there anyway."

Once again last Sunday our church's campus was visited by Operation Save America, an organization that shares our commitment to promoting the sanctity of human life, yet chooses a vastly different approach to confronting this serious societal issue. As a result of our conflicting views on how best to address these challenges, we have respectfully asked them not to visit our campus. They continue to ignore our requests however, as evidenced by their acquisition of noise and picketing permits. Consequently, their actions compel us to extend sincerest apologies to any Central members or attendees who have been offended by the disturbing graphic images displayed on their posters, or by any comments made by any of their group's members.

At Central Church we want to make it completely clear that we are against abortion and are 100% pro-life, but we are unwavering in our certainty that the mercy of Jesus Christ is available to all who come to Him for forgiveness, even if that includes having had an abortion. Please join us in praying for these individuals who are attempting to do a good thing with what we believe to be the wrong methods. Ultimately each of us should desire above all to see God glorified and lives and hearts transformed by the grace of our loving Lord.

Excerpt from Sermon preached by Pastor Loran Livingston in February 2004

Click here to listen to this sermon via Youtube

I held my second little grandson the other day and [and] it tore my heart out thinking that somewhere in this city a baby just like that was ripped limb from limb inside the mother's womb and sucked out and thrown into the trash can; torn to pieces. Before they could even cry, before they have a chance to open their little eyes, before a mother can even hold it in her arms, in a stupor they allow someone to invade their bodies and tear up life that only God can give. You hear me when I tell you; it is murder and God is going to judge this nation for it. But I got even more appalling news for ya. If we who know the truth and sit back and do NOTHING; we are as GUILTY AS THOSE who actually take their lives.

If we are going to hide, stick our fingers in our ears and try to act like this doesn't exist all we're going to do is be eaten up gradually. And Christians are too pious, too holy to look down and see what is going on. This is pure outright war, your children are at stake, the future of this country is at stake. Somebody ought to be screaming and stomping and making noise because the wrath of God is going to come on a lackadaisical and unconcerned people if we are not careful. When will you realize that this is war!

There comes a time with all of our bleeding and aching and hurting that we stand up and say "I'll fight to the death. I've got something to fight for and somebody fighting for me, therefore I'm tired of complaining and giving up. I will march forward into the fray, into the heat of the battle, into the spray of bullets and I will be what God has called me to be."

I want to see the evangelical community rise up like the flaming army God called it to be. And if it takes yelling and screaming and walking and trouncing the floor like this to get just one person to get involved then I'm going to do it. Yes, Jesus Christ is our Savior and our salvation, of COURSE, but it doesn't HELP when you just say it inside this building. It only helps when you get out there to people who need Him. Am I preaching the truth right now?

Now Father as we leave this place I pray that we will become activists for righteousness, that we will become involved. There will be plenty of people who won't like it, and there are going to be some things coming in this city soon Lord that will divide this city. But may we be men and women enough to stand on the Lord's side and do the right thing. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy site Oh Lord my Strength and my Redeemer. Amen!