COUP D'ETAT IN OHIO?

This article was published originally in the November-Decemter 2005 issue of the
The Columbus Free Press. Following this article, in a separate blog , is the membership of the Ohio Reformation board as announced at the launch. That is followed in separate blogs by transcripts of each speakers comments in order of appearance.

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In April when I wrote "An Evening with Rod Parsley" for the Free Press, I noted that guest speaker former UN ambassador and presidential candidate Alan Keyes hinted to an audience of several thousand at Parsley's World Harvest Church that Ohio, with Parsley's guidance, would soon be an experiment, inspiration and model for Christian Nationalists throughout the country. Unfortunately, that section of my article was cut due to space considerations. (The whole piece can be found below along with transcripts from the event. Keyes' hints have now been made flesh with Parsley's new socio-political redemption project, Reformation Ohio.

Launched from the south steps of the Statehouse on October 14 before a crowd of about 1000, Reformation Ohio is touted by Parsley as a bold 4-year plan for Ohio's spiritual, moral, and political redemption, authored by God, envisioned through Parsley, and operated by his hand-picked crew of activists, ministries, politicians, and private businesses. It will be funded by an initial donation of $10 million from RO's controversial mega ministry partner Impact World Tours/Youth With a Mission reportedly making RO the largest evangelical effort in any state in US history.

Officially, Reformation Ohio will stage a four-pronged program: present the Gospel to one million Ohioans resulting in at least 100,000 saves for Jesus; serve the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized Ohioans "of character;" and to register 400,000 new voters who supposedly out of gratitude, reciprocity, or disposition will pull the Christian Nationalist line and help break secular power within the state. From the slick youth-manipulating propaganda – bladers, extreme sports, "culturally appropriate music and art" – shown on the Jumbotron at the rally, it is clear that despite the "spiritual" garnish the real meat isn't spiritual but political. "Ohio is the pivotal state in the heart of America" the narrator of the promo informs. "A swing state whose tilts and leanings determine the course of our nation." Reformation Ohio is meant to tilt Ohio into the Biblical American camp, especially for the 2008 election.

Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, greeted as a hero for his opposition to abortion and same sex marriage, agrees. Speaking towards the end of the rally, the gubernatorial hopeful preached, "We understand that it is time to stand up, time to speak up, time to pay up, and we refuse to give up or back up or shut up."

Reformation Ohio and Rod Parsley, who calls himself a non-partisan Christocrat, were braced and embraced at the launch by prominent Republicans. Ohio Rep. Linda Reidelbach (R-21), a member of RO's board and reportedly on Blackwell's short list for Lt. Governor, presented Parsley with a commendation from the Ohio House in appreciation of spiritual revival. Ohio Sen. Jim Jordan (R-12) oddly referred to his university town, Madison, WI as "Communistville" and could barely contain his enthusiasm for Parsley's Biblical "David Attitude" towards contemporary immorality. Longtime Parsley pal Cong. Walter "Freedom Fries" Jones (R-NC) claimed that never as today has there been such an assault from the "extreme left" on American Christian-Judaic values. Finally, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KN), who endorsed Blackwell for governor the day of the rally, and seemed to be on a pre-presidential fishng trip, gave a short sermon comparing Parsley to British anti-slavery reformer William Wilberforce.


ADDENDA: On October 21, Mark Anderson, international director of Impact World Tours denied that his organization was donating $10 million to Reformation Ohio. Anderson told the Dispatch that he wouldn't mind giving $10 million if he had it, but the orgaization doesn't. He said that Impact World Tours is committed only to having volunteers pay their own way to make appearances and speak at Reformation Ohio events over the next four years. He "guestimated" that $10 million might be the cost of putting on all the events in state that Reformation Ohio plans. At the same time, Rod Parsley declined to disclose sources of funding or the amount received, saying the Reformation Ohio board hadn't yet decided on a disclosure policy.

Information on YRAM partnerships is here. Mark Anderson

The Apologetics Index has information on Impact World Tours/YRAM's own questionable activities.

REFORMATION OHIO LAUNCH, OCTOBER 14, 2005; MARTY EMMITT

REFORMATION OHIO LAUNCH
OHIO STATEHOUSE
OCTOBER 14, 2005
MARTY EMMITT, IMPACT WORLD TOURS/YOUTH WITH A MISSION
unofficial transcript

ROD PARSLEY:
Am I on?

RESPONSE:
Yeah!

ROD PARSLEY:
I said, am I on?

RESPONSE:
Yeah!

ROD PARSLEY:
Are you on?

RESPONSE:
Yes!

ROD PARSLEY:
Shout free at last!

RESPONSE:
Free at last!

ROD PARSLEY:
Again!

RESPONSE:
Free at last!

ROD PARSLEY:
Thank God almighty!

RESPONSE:
That we are free at last!

Free at last!

ROD PARSLEY:
Marty Emmett is the Ohio State coordinator for Impact World Tours. Impact World Tours is a division of Youth With a Mission, one of the largest missions organizations in the entire world. Youth with a Mission has approximately 20,000 staff worldwide. 220 different ministries, and 800 operating locations in 180 nations of the world. We’re delighted that Impact World Tour and YWAM have agreed to partner with Reformation Ohio. In fact, they’re bringing a budget of $10 million to bear in the State of Ohio in the next four years. (applause) We’re glad to have a partner like that with Reformation Ohio! This will be the largest evangelistic campaign ever attempted in any state in the United States of America in our history, and you’re on the ground floor launch of it. Would you make Marty Emmett welcome! (applause, cheers, whistles)

MARTY EMMET:
It’s a great day to be alive, amen!

RESPONSE:
Yes!

It’s my privilege to be here today representing Youth With a Mission. YWAM Campaigns, our international director Mark Anderson. And firstly I just want to express my gratitude and thanks to you Pastor, and the board of Reformation Ohio. It’s an absolute privilege and honor for us to be invited to partner with this great initiative.

YWAM Campaigns has been used of God in over a thousand communities and 40 nations, and five continents in the last decade. And in that time we’ve been out to get before 3 million people with the relevant message of truth-- using forms of culture that are relevant to people today. But we are excited. We believe this is God’s time for America. (applause) Amen! (applause).

We’re excited for what the Lord wants us to do right there in the Buckeye State. And in partnership with you, the people of this state, with church leaders, business leaders, with civic leaders right across the state we’re committed to preaching the Gospel, getting over 1 million people in the next four years. Amen? (applause) We’re believing for 100,000 people to respond and give their lives to Jesus. (applause) We’ve seen ongoing movement, we’ve seen transformation and revelation right across, amen? (applause) In partnership with you we believe this will happen. We believe, a fire like many of you, is pivotal in this nation’s destiny, so we’re excited to be here. We endorse this. We’re committed to this. We prepared to (not understandable—perhaps “campaign”) for this state and you. Amen? (applause)