Evangelists gather this weekend
Religious freedom and the First Amendment are the major topics being broached at the God and Country Evangelism Conference Friday through Sunday in Evergreen.
On Friday, local pastor Chuck Baldwin of the Liberty Fellowship will talk at approximately 11 a.m. Baldwin has launched a nationwide campaign to wean churches off of tax-free status so that they will not be subject to government rules about what they can talk about in the pulpit.
Later that day, several speakers will discuss their experience in posting Ten Commandments signs or other religious symbols in public places or in public view on private property.
At 3:30 p.m. Pastor Wally Smith of the House of Israel Fellowship in Las Vegas will discuss his experience in displaying the Ten Commandments. That will be followed at 3:45 by the testimony of Pastor Jeanette Golden of Hemphill, Texas, who challenged a Texas law that restricted her ability to display the Ten Commandments on her own property.
At 4:15 p.m., Michael Berry, an attorney with the Liberty Institute, will provide an overview of First Amendment protections for religious speech. The Liberty Institute is assisting the Knights of Columbus in defending the Jesus statue on Big Mountain.
Another First Amendment attorney, Rick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute, will address the convention at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The God and Country conference will also feature street preacher Ruben Israel on several occasions over the three days, including an open question-and-answer session Sunday at 7 p.m. where Israel will respond to any questions or challenges from other pastors or audience members about his “in your face” approach to evangelism.
On Saturday morning, the conference will move to Columbia Falls for a dedication of the new God’s Ten Commandments Park.
Starting at 7 a.m., Matthew Murray will carry a 10-foot cross down U.S. 2 from the Blue Moon to the park in Columbia Heights, accompanied by supporters. They are scheduled to arrive at the new park for the dedication at 10 a.m.
The convention is based at the gym behind the former Evergreen Alliance Church at 315 East Evergreen Drive. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. each day, followed by speakers, worship services, lunch, dinner, and training sessions.