South Rowan High School in North Carolina - The Truth

Thursday, September 16, 2004

South Rowan High School in North Carolina - The Truth

To Jessica and all the kids from South Rowan High School who have contacted us or are wondering about our visits to your school. These visits are part of Operation Save America's God is Going Back to School campaign. Here's what has happened so far.

A Ten Commandments display and a Jesus is the Standard banner are being shown each day at different entrances. Today Christians brought pictures of Malachi, one of the 40 million unborn little boys and girls who have been killed by abortion. The following brochures have been handed out: "The Battle Between Two Seeds" (day one), "Homosexuality vs.Christianity" (day two), "Does God Still Judge the Nations?" (day three), and “America is dying - Christians have lost their Saltiness” (day four).

You may download brochures at: http://www.operationsaveamerica.org/brochures/index.htm.

Pastor Flip Benham said, "Yesterday we invited people who wore black to come and speak to us. About 60 were in front of the school at the flagpole." Christian teens had permission from school authorities to gather at the flagpole for the annual event “See you at the Pole,” but when an administration member saw all the Goths, rather than moving them away from the flagpole, he sent Christian students to the football field.

There were two girls kissing each other, other students had their hair in 8 or 9 points, some were wearing dog collars, one boy was leading another on a leash. Another boy dressed up like Jesus in a pitiful attempt to portray our Lord. In addition to wearing black, some boys wore heavy mascara. There were a lot of body piercings. Flip pointed out that, in a desperate desire to be different, most dress alike.

One girl exposed her breasts to win the attention and approval of her peers and shock the Christians. Officer Honeycutt, the school resource officer, confirmed that under North Carolina general ordinances women may lawfully take off their shirts and bras.

Flip said, "Many students were not interested in talking with us. They were too busy with their own concerns about dating, working and sports. We actually have more in common with Goths than with others because they're aware of their spiritual needs."

Conversations were intense, students were very sincere in what they believed. Flip warned them, however, “No matter how sincere you are, you may still be wrong.” He said, "Remember that the Titanic was the biggest thing man had ever built to move people. Those who boarded the Titanic were sincere in their belief that the ship was unsinkable. They were sincerely wrong. The ship sunk." He said, "What you believe is far more important than how strongly you believe it."

To the students who said they believe all religions lead to God, Flip responded, “Whether or not you choose to believe it, there is truth." He said, "We know Jesus is the only avenue to God because in John 14:6, Christ tells us, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

To those who accused OSA of being judgmental, Pastor Flip pointed out that "Judge not lest you be judged" is followed with "...by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2. Our standard of measure, as Christians, he explained, is the Law of God.

OSA Christians learned that yesterday afternoon kids got together with teachers to figure how to stop them from preaching the gospel. The idea they came up with was to get a Temporary Restraining Order issued. Flip said, “They want to express themselves no matter how perverse, but they don't want Christians to express their views, which are based on the Laws of God. It is the convicting Holy Spirit of God that is driving them crazy, turning light on their sin.”

“The Light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the Light, for their deeds were evil. They hated the heavenly Light because they wanted to sin in the darkness. They stayed away from that Light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished. But those doing right come gladly to the Light to let everyone see that they are doing what God wants them to." John 3:19-21(LB)

When asked about getting a Temporary Restraining Order, Officer Honeycutt told students that OSA has the same right to exercise our First Amendment rights as they do. Flip said, “Those who hate censorship are the most censorious of all. They say, ‘We believe in your First Amendment rights, just not this, not here, and not now.'”

Last night Christian kids went to their youth groups and told them OSA was preaching that people go to hell if they wear black, if they wear cotton, if girls wear pants, if kids wear sneakers... Flip said, “It was our friends, the Christian kids, spreading misinformation.” This morning 5 or 6 youth pastors came out to South Rowan. They were understandably angry, but when they heard the preaching and saw what was taking place, they realized that kids were spreading false rumors. Flip said, “They were right to be angry if we had been preaching what they were told. Their responsibility is to shepherd the lambs. I'm proud of them for coming out.” He added, “Isn't this what always happens? Satan trys to get the attention on the messenger and off of the message.”

Three or possibly more of the youth pastors plan on coming back to South Rowan High School tomorrow to be part of the witness for Christ. “Rain or shine, we'll be there,” Flip said.