On Sunday, November 8th, close to 1400 people gathered on a school field next to Mt. Erie Baptist Church to celebrate The First Amendment to the United States Constitution and its Freedom ofReligion provision.
The theme was “Redeem! Reclaim! Restore!,” a reference to “our” religious rights which are being eroded by people and government with different views.
As the program for the occasion stated: “Religious freedom is under attack in our churches, in our military, in our schools (private and public) and in the public arena.”
The following examples were cited: “A football coach is suspended for praying with the team after a game. A marine is court-martialed for posting bible verses in her workspace, and an employee is terminated from a job because the employer learns that he once publicly voiced support for one man, one woman marriage.”
These issues came home to Mt. Erie this summer when the Christian Academy refused to admit a child with two “mothers,” based on stated church and school bylaws, rules and doctrine. The resulting barrage of telephone calls and media descending on both the church and the school led to clergy in all walks of faith in our community coming together under the leadership of the United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) with a rally to reaffirm both faith and support for those who stand on God’s word.
The two hour event, which started at three o’clock, just hours after Sunday services for many, drew gospel singing, prayer and speakers who addressed the many issues confronting the church today. Pastor Terry Brooks of Bayview Baptist Church lead the speakers with a strong call to the faithful; Pastor A.B. Vines of New Seasons Church lead the first prayer, followed by Pastor Chris Clark of East Claremont Southern Baptist Church. There were anointed selections by Pastor Archie Robinson and New Birth Praise as songs of praise followed prayer.
Dr. John E. Warren of Eagles Nest Christian Worship Center electrified the crowd with an historical overview, in just a few short minutes, of what God and his word has required from Leviticus to Jesus and Romans to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. He pointed out, “The misinterpretation of the wall between church and state appears nowhere in the U.S. Constitution itself. It comes from a 1802 letter by President Thomas Jefferson reassuring the Danbury Baptist that he would not “legislate” against the church.” Dr. Warren also shared how a 1947 Supreme Court decision in the case of Everson vs. The New Jersey Board of Education became the basis of placing “the wall which did not exist in the constitution,” he said.
Pastor JIm Garlow of Skyline Church spoke of the history of the Wesleyan Church against slavery and the present day battle to stop the U.S. Congress and the courts, as well as the IRS, in their attack on Christian values.
Minister Hugh Mohammed of the The Nation of Islam spoke to the need for all us to live righteously. “According to what Jesus taught and said. So that we might not be divided among ourselves and help those who are against what we stand for.” Minister Mohammed said.
Closing remarks were from Rev. Gerald Brown, Executive Director of UAAMAC, emcee and convener of the rally. UAAMAC also produced First Amendment Tee Shirts for the crowd.
The event was full of recognition and praise for Pastor and Mrs. Wells, both of whom have been pastors at Mt. Erie for more than 40 years and married for 52 years. With collective prayer over Pastor and Mrs. Wells by all clergy present, there was a promise that we will all be there for him and for each other if the need should come.
