On Thursday, Family Research Council hosted a Watchmen on the Wall briefing for ministry leaders in Maysville, Georgia. The meeting offered pastors updates on the most pressing issues facing followers of Jesus in America. Andrew Brunson, Bishop Garland Hunt, Bishop Patrick Wooden Sr., and other speakers offered insight and encouragement on how to respond to today’s culture for a biblical worldview and engage in practical ways.
The ceremony opened with worship followed by an opening prayer from Mike Griffin, a public affairs representative on Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Pastor Jeff Appling gave a brief devotional message before the panel discussion on “Wokeness and the Biblical Worldview.”
Wooden, who pastors Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina, responded to the same-sex marriage debate consuming Congress.
“Basic truth is being attacked. And if we shift and don’t speak the truth, and there is no push back from us, after a while, brothers, and sisters, we won’t have anything that we can preach. We won’t have anything that we can say that will be worthwhile,” said Wooden.
Following the pastor, Congressman Jody Hice (R-Ga.) spoke on how most of the issues of debate in Washington are spiritual matters.
“We are in the fight of our life for this country in so many ways, and I am 100% convinced — have been for years, but now more than ever — that we cannot fix the challenges that we’re facing in our country right now by passing another piece of legislation or by throwing another trillion dollars at whatever problem we’re talking about,” explained Hice. “At the end of the day, every issue we face here in Washington is a spiritual issue, and it requires spiritual answers.”
Hice, a former pastor, urged ministers to be firm in proclaiming the gospel in their local communities.
“We, as Christians, we are the problem in this country. But [on] the other side of the coin, we are the solution,” said the congressman. “We are the ones who right now have to step up to the plate, see God, cry out to him, break our fallow ground, repent where we need to repent, and engage this thing with a biblical worldview.”
Family Research Council’s special advisor for Religious Freedom, Andrew Brunson was the next speaker and shared his testimony of overcoming religious persecution during his two years [of] imprisonment in Turkey.
Brunson, who was serving as a minister overseas, was arrested under terrorism allegations — only to be released after two years, which he referred to at his “breaking years.”
Having been persecuted for his faith, Brunson told the ministers in attendance to not be shocked when they undergo persecution but rather to stand firm as God’s children. He also shared a video series he created with FRC to help Christians undergoing hostility.
After lunch, the attendees heard from FRC President Tony Perkins and Lt. General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin.
Perkins emphasized that the hope of America is in the prayers of God’s people and the preaching of His word.
“You preach the word regardless of the response to that word. You need to determine ‘I’m going to preach the word regardless of the consequences.’ Preach it without fear or favor. Preach it without compromise. But with great courage. Preach it with passion and power. Preach it night and day. Preach it from coast to coast and from sea to shining sea,” he encouraged the ministers.
Boykin offered the closing remarks, recountinghis days at battle in Mogadishu, Somalia where 16 men in his troop were killed.
“I held on to the hand of one soldier named Rob as he was passing,” Boykin recalled. “And I just wouldn’t let go. We need men in this country who will hold onto their faith and not let go — regardless of the trials.”
