“Back to School!”

by the Rev. R. E. Knodel, Jr.

We got to see a mighty victory for the Lord last Monday (9/14/98) in Lynchburg, Virginia. This is the same city in which the sleeping saints were awoken by ORN’s National Director Flip Benham through his rally at E. C. Glass High School in the Fall of 1997. This was the occasion when Flip and hundreds of Liberty University Students surrounded “Glass” with their witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, and then Flip and two of the students were arrested.

Any number of us here in Lynchburg considered Flip’s conviction and incarceration a travesty, and mentally began preparing for this Fall and the new school year. Could we hide in our churches even as the devil presumed that the Christians of Lynchburg were too timid to challenge his control of our schools? What would become of OR’s seeding efforts on behalf of Christ here in Lynchburg?

As an involved pastor, I thought that some preparatory study was necessary. So I enrolled in a crash course called “Combat Evangelism – 101” (CE–101) that was being taught in the early Summer of 1998 in Orlando, Florida. Taught by Dr. Benham, Professor of Applied Spiritual Battle, the course involved declaring Christ across the churches’ DMZ (demilitarized zone) to hot zones such as Disney World/Orlando, Barnes & Noble bookstores, various and sundry Abortion Clinics, and the Orlando City Hall! I got to see some of OR’s “finest” taking their faith to the streets and proclaiming Christ in the face of enemy fire. After the authorities captured Professor Benham and temporarily made him a P.O.W., I got to study under veteran professors Rusty Thomas (U.S.M.C., retired!) and Pastor Bill Shanks (military chaplaincy).

My lessons became practical on the 14th of September, 1998. In a combination maneuver, people from my church, our local pro-life organization (the Central Virginia Voice for Life - started by Dave and Jeanette Lytle), and Denny Green and his son Caleb from their pro-life work in Petersburg, Virgina, met at 0700 in front of the school. We positioned our street posters juxtaposing the way of life (baby Jeremiah) and the way of death (baby Malachi) around the perimeter of the school where the buses would be arriving. We also passed out bundles of a tract we had prepared, so that they could be given to arriving students who were walking.

It didn’t take long for the firefight to break out! Within minutes of our establishing our position, the police cars began arriving. But as usual, their cars and persons attracted public attention, which wouldn’t have been there otherwise! CE – 101! The Superintendent of Schools arrived and counselled with the police. We wheeled in the heavy artillery – the preached Word of Christ – and began to lob salvoes in his direction! It’s amazing, when you’re out on the streets, to whom you get to preach! CE – 101!

Since this superintendent was one of those who had conspired against Christ in incarcerating Flip, I had wished to preach to him many times; but he never voluntarily attended my church! But with CE – 101 and going to the streets, suddenly there he was! All I had to do was open my mouth and address him as he stood some thirty yards away. As I exhorted him regarding God’s sovereign authority, and his rebellion against this – relative his excluding the name of God from our school – he posed a sick smile. So I quoted Psalm Two, where the Lord says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs” at men’s impudent rebellion.

It’s hard to reach people with such forthright sermons today. But with CE – 101, it was easy. Later, I found a natural corridor between two sets of trees which ran right up to where the students were disembarking from their buses. >From about fifty yards away I was able to preach to the arriving students. I know I was heard because as soon as I started preaching, the police traversed the space and stood relatively close by me. Again, CE – 101 teaches us that we often get to witness close by our police, calling them to their constitutional responsibility before the Lord!

Our volunteers were giving tracts to arriving students. Most students arrived by bus and weren’t within reach. But every tract that made it into school became a talking point for the day. Their significance was multiplied by their scarcity. Instead of the “outside” evangelist having to peddle the gospel, now it was the students themselves, showing each other “what those people out there were talking about.” CE – 101!

Our tracts spoke of God’s command to “Have no other gods before Me!” (Exodus 20) This was contrasted by the second panel, which portrayed the principal as a cartoon rodent withholding a diploma, declaring that she knew what God said, but disputed his authority in her school! We declared that this was the essence of “godlessness.”

When our schools refuse God His due recognition, they are – by definition – “godless.” They threaten to withhold their diplomas and accreditation unless we quietly submit to their blasphemies. But on this day, at E. C. Glass High School, the name of Jehovah God got into the school. It was a simple application of CE – 101!

Since getting involved with Operation Rescue this past Spring, I have never felt more free with the gospel. Against the wickedness of our day, I have never felt more effective. I have found it exhilarating to get outside my church and challenge the godlessness of our day in the streets of our land.

E. C. Glass’ godlessness had been unchallenged for years until Flip’s visit. I had been here seventeen years and not known what to do. Flip’s visit, witnessing, incarceration, and subsequent “combat” tutorials have changed all that. I say, “Praise be to God!” And I would invite the faithful preachers of our land to join the battle, and experience the gospel-joy that is there to be found.