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Greetings Friends of Life
Say So March
2015 Day 2
It’s a beautiful
morning and we are heading from New Jersey to fellowship
with the illustrious Pastor and friend the Rev Dr. Herb
Lusk of the Greater Exodus Baptist Church of Philadelphia.
Our trip down the turnpike was full of conversation as
we headed to the city of brotherly love. Along the way I
received a text that I would be preaching the morning
message! This was not planned by me but certainly at this
point of the journey as well as many previous projects we
have endeavored, God's hand has always intervened or
interjected his override and I perceived this day would be
no different.
Our time of
fellowship with Pastor Herb Lusk, Pastor Bruce Rivers and
National Director Of Learn the Rev. Dr. Johnny Hunter
was precious and affirming. Affirming due to the fact the
message I had decided in route was 2 Chronicles 20 where God
was assessing the people of Israel and determined that the
people had not worshipped the true God of Israel and that
there was no teaching priest. Dr. Lusk during our
conversation discussed the book (I will soon be reading)
“Another Gospel" which was exactly what the Lord had shared
on my heart concerning the state of the Church in America
and its impudent response to Black Genocide.
It was also
precious to hear Rev. Dr. Johnny Hunter share his heart with
us and then watch the humility of Dr. Herb Lusk come from
his seat and literally lay at the feet of Pastor Hunter. We
all by the Lords leading began to pray for the success of
our mission. It was a moving experience.
The worship and
praise were exhilarating! We were joined by many other
pro-life representatives such as Patrick Stanton of the
Pro-life union and Mike McMonacle of the Life Foundation and
Michael Ciccicocioppo of the Pro-Life Federation to name a
few. Rev Dr. Johnny Hunter laid the foundation for my
message and challenged the listeners to become engaged and
recognize the extreme struggle we are warring. Pastor Hunter
brought special mention to Exodus Baptist Church to stand
behind their Pastor in these perilous times and always give
him their unwavering support.
I never comment on
my sermons or messages but I usually leave it in the hands
of God and our mutual agreement that he sent me therefore I
depend on him to speak through me. So there would be some
critique I will quote my greatest and trusted critic, my
wife Regina who commented “Certainly you could see the
anointing of God on you today this is where God shows up for
you every time when you are called on to speak on the behalf
of the children”.
After worship we
gathered outside Greater Exodus Baptist church to process to
the Planned Parenthood on Locust Street. It's just under 2
miles so with mega phone supplied by Mike Mc Monacle we
headed down and through the heart of Philadelphia. We came
with 70, so a little under a hundred people began a march.
We had no idea of what we were heading into. This day
would prove to be one like none other and we all now have a
deeper appreciation of the 23 psalm as never before!
With loud speaker
in hand we sounded the message of Black genocide in the
streets of the city. We were carrying 7 of the 12 X 4 foot
signs of the All black Life Matters Project. Our destination
is 121 Locust Street the home of Planned Parenthood,
but getting there will prove to be the most challenging of
our pro-life experience. Local Philadelphia Pastor Joseph
Randal charted the fastest route and we agreed upon that
direction.
LEARN had
unknowingly charted a course that would lead them into the
world’s largest "Coming Out Day" festival in the
world! Our processional will lead us right through the
middle of the gay and lesbian festivities and many of them
were not happy! Without any exaggeration their were times
there were so many people who had decided to “come out” we
had to stop several times. It was wall to wall people and we
were in seemingly the "valley of the shadow of death" and
that is without exaggeration also!
I will not repeat
or recount the profanities heralded at us and the constant
jeering and occasional bumping and obstruction of our
procession. We have never been here before and I have some
young people as well as seasoned adults who were being
pressed in on every side, but kept their integrity and
composure. Every true Christian in America would have been
extremely proud! Their respectful demeanor, despite the
harassment and even an occasional beer being poured on them
went far above my expectation.
Today as I can
reflect back on our many challenges I would have to say
there has never been a time as their Pastor, I was more
proud! Not one physical altercation "no not one". Even
when we were loading our signs on the truck to move on there
was one of the crowd who particularly was determined to get
a response out of us other than the "God Bless You" and "The
Lord Loves You" we were giving.
His vile obnoxious
vitriol did not succeed, it was a true witness and the
security guards along with police officers testified to the
dignity and restraint in which our team carried themselves.
They were outstanding! I might also add if we were white we
would have never got out of there! Everyone their wanted to
respond, but attacking African Americans carrying "Black
Life Matters" signs just wasn't the politically correct
thing to do. Of course I give all thanks to God who showed
me that on the brink of total chaos confusion and physical
danger he can keep us and remarkably he did.
Remember I said we
all now have a special appreciation for the 23 psalm and
here is the direct reason why. After the experience I felt
so bad for our group to have to experience being harassed
and jostled by the gay and lesbian community. In reality
this was not what they had signed up for but certainly upon
reflection we could see it was on Gods agenda for us to
experience. I personally would have never gone down those
streets if I was leading the group but the local Pastor was.
I would also have to say Jesus was too!
It would be quite
remiss for me not to mention the presence of a absolutely
awesome man of God Rev Dr. Bill Devlin the world
Evangelist who has been to Syria and Afghanistan carrying
the message of salvation, took the time to be present with
our march. Pastor Devlan also had words at Exodus Baptist
Church before the close of the worship service where he
reminded the predominately African American congregation
that he was to be considered a brother and has a legacy of
ministry in the streets of Philadelphia. Devlan heralded
“There is only one race and that is the human race, Up in
Here Up in Here". Exodus and our team loved his Holy Spirit
lead Afro-centrism.
Now, back to the
"Coming Out day" when we went through the seemingly " Valley
of The Shadow of Death' we were waiting for our bus to pick
us up on North Broad St, when Pastor Bill Devlin takes out a
bottle of oil and says" the Lord is leading me to anoint you
all with oil." Well we have never carried oil let alone have
an anointing service on a bus stop in Philadelphia but after
what we went through, though surprised, we gladly received
his blessing!
As stated, I was
reflecting later on this incident and had come to the
realization that God had us go through as a message to us.
1... Despite perversion all around you in society, I can
keep you unscathed from the world, you don't have to yield
to carnal appetites, you can walk through it. 2... God can
protect and keep you in any situation and circumstance where
you genuinely are attempting to please him and do his will.
3.. It was to remind us that the path the Shepherd has for
us all will at some time lead us through the "Valley of The
Shadow of Death" a valley we would never choose to go
through but are lead through by the Good Shepherd for His
purpose.
To confirm what
the Lord shared with me, he then reminded me that it was Him
that spoke to Pastor Bill Devlin to anoint us with oil as a
sign to what he is doing in our lives and will continue to
do as he just had demonstrated. Did you catch it yet?
The lord is my
shepherd I shall not want, He maketh me lie down in green
pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores
my soul, he leads me in a path of righteousness for his name
sake, yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death I will fear no evil, thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me, thou prepares a table before me in
the presence of our enemies thou anointest my head with
oil, my cup runneth over, surely goodness and mercy
shall follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever!
We are trying to
raise funds to complete our project and stay on point,
please send a donation of any size.
Donate Now
Day 3 of the
2015 Say So March next news letter
In His Service,
Rev. Clenard H. Childress Jr.
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