W e ' r e m o r e t h a n j u s t a C h u r c h . . . W e ' r e a F A M I L Y !
FAMILY HARVEST CHURCH
PASTOR CHAD CARTER
P.O. Box 512
Salem, IN 47167
Phone: 812-883-2523
Fax: 812-883-0621
www.FHCglobal.org
Protesters Mock Pastor Carter & the Love of God at FHC
November 26, 2006
On election day in November, 2006, Pastor Carter was driving around the Town Square of Salem, Indiana. On the Town Square, there was a misguided religious group holding up huge posters of bloody, aborted fetuses. While Pastor Carter obviously opposes abortion, he did not think it was appropriate to hold up signs on the town square of dismembered babies with missing arms and torn apart heads for children to see on the way home from school. "I believe those pictures are valuable in the right venue, time and setting with an appropriate audience," he said. "I did not think they were appropriate on town square for entire families to have to see and explain to little children who don't even know about abortion yet, much less have to take those photos in."
As he continued around Town Square, he saw more signs which read, "This town loves lying preachers" and "God hates fags" (their words, not ours).
Bothered by the incorrect and unbiblical message displayed on these signs, Pastor Carter touched on the issue the next night at Family Harvest Church under a tremendous unction of the Holy Ghost. One thing led to another, and suddenly Pastor Carter was being interviewed by the Editor of The Salem Leader & Democrat for an article that hit the front page of local newspapers the following week. (You can see the article on the Family Harvest website at: http://www.fhcglobal.org/InTheNews_2006_11_16_Democrat.html )
The newspaper identified the group of demonstrators as the followers of John Lewis, a Baptist pastor from Campbellsburg, Indiana. Evidently, they had demonstrated in such manner on numerous occasions. But what they apparently did not expect was someone such as Pastor Chad Carter to publicly stand against their false claims.
Pastor Carter said, "The intent of my comments was not to challenge them on their 1st Amendment rights, or to have a doctrinal debate about homosexuality or abortion. The purpose of my stand was to express the principle of 1 John 4:7-8, that God is love, and those who are born of God and know God possess and demonstrate that same love. I wanted the thousands who drove around the square that day to know that the views represented by this fringe group of deceived individuals do not represent the views of God or the true Christians of our community."
Two weeks later, on November 26, Lewis and his followers showed up for a Sunday morning service at Family Harvest Church. Unfortunately, they did not come inside to express their support of the truths proclaimed by our Pastor. Instead, they filed out along the curb outside to protest against him and the biblically founded message of the love of God he preaches. They were in full form, complete with video cameras, abortion posters, derogatory signs and more.
Pastor Carter went out a few minutes before service to meet with the protesters. Lewis and his deceived followers resorted to yelling, screaming, pointing fingers and name calling. Lewis even used profanities toward Pastor Carter and, later, toward members of the congregation as they attempted to enter for service. Lewis ranted about how much he thinks Pastor Carter is a "lying preacher" for declaring that God is a God of love.
Lewis continued his mean-spirited rant against Pastor Carter, making fun of everything he could see - the way Pastor stood, the way he walked, the way he smiled at them instead of yelling and screaming like them. Lewis made derogatory comments about the cross lapel pin on Pastor Carter's suit, the church sign on the front door, the FHC website, the fact that FHC advertised a revival on its website, and on and on. You name it... if it had anything to do with Pastor Carter, it was open game for ridicule and mockery. Every time Lewis made a personal insult against Pastor Carter, his people (even the quiet ladies who stood there like they were afraid to speak, holding abortion photos) would laugh and encourage his mockery even more.
They had Pastor Carter's picture from the front page of the newspaper tacked up to posters and signs with names written around them. One of the names surrounding his picture said, "Fag Pimp." They held it out toward Pastor Carter, pointing at it to ensure he had seen it. Though in poor taste, Pastor Carter thought it clever and a little humorous.
With the FHC congregation inside praying in the Holy Ghost, Pastor Carter later said, "I feel that I answered their accusations the way the Lord desired. I really felt His direction in the things I said."
As Pastor Carter turned to come back into the tabernacle, Lewis began yelling, "get back over here, boy." Pastor Carter turned back around all right, but not because Lewis demanded such. He turned back around, stretched his hands out toward the misguided group of scoffers and prayed for them in the name of Jesus. Then he turned and reentered the tabernacle.
Pastor Carter said, "as I walked back toward the doors of the church, I took mental note of everything Mr. Lewis hated about me... The fact that I preach the love of God, the fact that I am Pentecostal and speak in tongues, the fact that I say homosexuals can be delivered, the fact that I lay hands on the sick and see them healed, and so on. ...I made mental note of it all."
The congregation was spread out all over the sanctuary, some of them already drunk on the new wine of the Holy Ghost... pacing the floors, clapping, shouting, and praying in tongues. When Pastor Carter came into the tabernacle, he picked up his microphone and went to talking in other tongues, shouting, dancing and laying hands on the people. Pastor said, "I just picked up the mic and joined right in so it could be heard outside. I went to declaring the Word of God, and the Holy Ghost tore loose!"
Outside, the protesters had no choice but to listen to everything they hated the most about Pastor Carter and Family Harvest Church, because everything going on inside was being amplified outside through speakers mounted on the front of the building. The Lewis group must not have been enjoying it very much, because it wasn't 15 minutes before they started boarding their bus and pulled away from Family Harvest Church.
As the service progressed, it proved to be one of the greatest services we have had so far. The Holy Spirit graced us with His presence, poured out His Gifts, and moved mightily among us! The Gifts of the Spirit started flowing, people were healed and touched by the power of God.
Later, before service dismissed, another church in town come through the doors of Family Harvest Church to show their support. They said they saw the bus-full of protesters outside and said, "Hey, if Pastor Carter could put his name and reputation on the line to stand up and challenge [the Lewis' group's] misrepresentation of the Kingdom of God, the least we can do is join with him and stand for truth when he's being mocked and protested." It was a tremendous moment in the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Carter declared, "...this one thing is for sure and has been proven... I and the congregation of Family Harvest Church are not afraid of this false teacher, his erring doctrine, and/or the protests of his deceived, misguided followers!"
In reflection of these events, Pastor Carter said, "I thank God for the impartation I have received through my Pastor and ministerial mentor, Pastor Rod Parsley. I feel fortunate that the heritage of my father in the faith is evident in my life and ministry as well. I am certain that the reason the Lord selected us for such activism in our community is simply an unavoidable effect and direct result of the anointing upon my life through this General of the Faith I am proud to call 'my Pastor'."
To God be the Glory for any accomplishments Family Harvest Church has achieved for the TRUE cause of Christ in the community. But, THIS is only the beginning!
Staff Writer
Family Harvest Church
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Copyright © Pastor Chad Carter • Family Harvest Church Global Ministries
