Orange County Edition Vol. 24, No. 5 May 2013 www.christianexaminer.com Eric Metaxas Jennifer Bursch Entertainment Tiresome bias: Turning Attacks on Christianity Comedian walks away FREE a blind eye to evil demand diligent response from secular venues to foster Kingdom page 4 page 4 page 5 In the midst of tragedy, high-profi le pastors are the target of ‘haters’ By Lori Arnold LAKE FOREST — Three days af- ter announcing that his adult son had ended his protracted battle with mental illness by taking his own life, Pastor Rick Warren of Sad- dleback Church returned to social media to share other deeply trou- bling news. “Grieving is hard. Grieving as public fi gures, harder. Grieving while haters celebrate your pain, hardest,” the Lake Forest pastor wrote on his Facebook page. Matthew Warren, the 27-year-old son of Warren and his wife, Kay, died April 5 of a self-infl icted gun- shot wound. Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren Jessica Miller, of San Clemente, accepts a donation from Keri Last of Mission Viejo. Members of Mariners Church “In spite of America’s best doc- has been the target of social media donated nearly half a million dollars during the fi rst weekend of a monthlong “Fearless” campaign to help the community. tors, meds, counselors and prayers attacks since the death of his son by suicide on April 5. for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided,” Warren “I’m not going to give a voice to shared in an email to church mem- the haters because, I mean, boy oh Fearless feat bers. “Tonight, after a fun evening boy, these are people who are really together with Kay and me, in a in a dark place,” she said, adding momentary wave of despair at his that many of the comments ap- home, he took his life.” peared to take issue with Warren’s Mariners Church raises $500,000 After the incident, Warren con- stand opposing same-sex marriage. nected with his church family by Warren is not alone in becoming for community outreach projects posting on his Facebook page, in- a target during times of tragedy. Jim cluding the message he posted on Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church By Lori Arnold that is so much bigger and more God’s calling him to something April 8 acknowledging the hateful in La Mesa, hinted at his own ex- adventurous than I would ever he just goes for it and doesn’t look comments. Warren’s post caught posure to such tactics on an April IRVINE — Laurie Beshore naturally pursue myself.” back. I get dragged along for the the attention of Fox News anchor 6 post on his Facebook page. In readily admits she’s had to grow Timidity can be a counterintui- ride.” Megyn Kelly, who addressed the is- the extended post Garlow acknowl- into her “no fear” sneakers. tive character trait when you are About four years ago, members sue on her April 9 show saying the edged Warren’s tragedy and then “My personal challenge has married to someone like Kenton of her Roots discipleship group development was “shocking, it’s asked the public to pray for Skyline, always been fear,” she said. “I’ve Beshore, senior pastor of the prayed over Laurie Beshore, ask- disgusting, and it’s hard to under- which has been besieged by a string always been a little bit timid as a 18,000-member Mariners Church. ing the Lord to bring victory over stand.” At one point she called the of tragedies among its staff. Gar- person to actually follow God’s “He’s very courageous and ad- people behind the comments “hat- call on my life. He calls us to a life venturous,” she said. “If he thinks See FEARLESS FEAT, page 2 ers.” See TRAGEDY, page 9 ‘Harvest America’ takes mobile approach for publicity By Lori Arnold pastor John Collins. The trailer den said. “But as we are able to is being used to promote Harvest message it properly and get out RIVERSIDE — When most farm- America, a national simulcast of and promote the mobile theater, ers cultivate their fi elds they take Harvest Crusade that was launched people understand it.” to tractors and plows. The folks at last year after being developed by In addition to the extensive pub- Harvest America have taken to an Collins. licity the standout trailer provides, 18-wheeler. The one-night event, held at the presentations serve as a catalyst A semi to reap the harvest? Angel Stadium of Anaheim, was to get churches and other organiza- “It’s been fun,” said Scot Cam- broadcast live to more than 2,200 tions to host simulcast sites. den, a ministry spokesman for Har- locations. In addition to host “One of the strong suits that we vest Ministries. “We’ve never done churches, two television and 600 ra- are fi nding is that we are able to anything like this before. We never dio stations picked up the feed. partner with radio stations across really even considered getting a This year’s event has expanded the nation who are wanting to com- big rig and wrapping it in Harvest to two nights and will be held Sept. bine efforts,” Camden said. America or Harvest art and driving 28 and 29 in Philadelphia. Those stations are not only pub- it around to bring people out.” Now in its 24th year, the crusade licizing the theater’s stops, but they It certainly draws attention. The The Harvest America Mobile Theater, contained inside a 53-foot tractor trailer, and its fl edgling Harvest America, are also sharing their pastoral and rig, dubbed the “Harvest America is traveling the United States promoting the national live streaming of the have registered 391,000 decisions community networks with the Har- Mobile Theater,” is a 53-foot travel- Philadelphia crusade on Sept. 28 and 29. Here the 18-wheeler is parked outside of faith. A key to that success has vest America team. Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon. ing billboard of sorts. It is equipped been pre-crusade pledges by local As part of its six-month tour with 27 seats and sound and video wall sconces and a 16- by 9-screen at Guests are treated to free pop- churches and Christian organiza- across the country, the theater is equipment, used for a 45-minute the end of what would be the back corn. tions to help support the work of stopping at the National Worship presentation that includes a video. of the theater. It’s great. It’s all in- The mobile theater is the brain- the crusade teams. Leader Conference, the Southern “It’s fully kitted out,” Camden sulated and air conditioned. It’s a child of evangelist Greg Laurie, the “For the last 23 years we’ve gone California Catalyst Conference, said. “It literally looks like you are great environment to hold a meet- founder of both the Harvest Cru- out to communities and held meet- Church Growth Conference, the walking into a stadium-seated mov- ing in. It’s a great way to set up a sades and Harvest Christian Fellow- ings in local churches and invited ie theater (with) fold down chairs, cool vibe.” ship in Riverside, and his executive church leaders out to that,” Cam- See HARVEST, page 7 For information about advertising, subscriptions, or bulk delivery, please call 1-800-326-0795 2 • CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • May 2013 OC www.christianexaminer.com people have to face when they go FEARLESS FEAT… out serve the community. It’s out- Continued from page 1 side their comfort zone.” Among the projects that will be that area of her life. Calling fear a funded is a local “chili” van, which will “stranglehold,” Beshore said she serve 6,000 meals to the homeless over struggled weeks before giving a pre- the summer; The Sheepfold ministry sentation, often getting physically will develop a vegetable garden to serve sick and sometimes losing weight as both a therapeutic and sustenance from the stress. vehicle for the women and children “It was from that point that I realized they safely harbor; the local Christian this is not something from God,” she Community Development Association said. “He doesn’t want this for me. It chapter will create a summer academy was like, ‘I’ve not given you a spirit of for teen leadership development; a fear but of power.’” homeless shelter operated by a Costa Today, she still admits to pre- Mesa church will undergo upgrades event jitters, but she is able to to increase more beds; and a state-run boldly shake off fear and follow the foster home with holes in its fl oors will Lord’s leading. be renovated. “I think it’s one of Satan’s best “The (foster home) social work- tools,” she said. “It really is a thing er, literally, when she found out that he uses to keep us from living that we were going to take on the this fulfi lled, beautiful life that would project, had tears in her eyes,” Be- bring God glory and draw people to shore said. “She was like, ‘Nobody Him. Instead, we are afraid to speak wants to deal with these kids.’ They out and are afraid to take risks. Who are living in just unacceptable stan- would be attracted to that?” Don Herr of Irvine processes donations from members of the Mission Viejo campus of Mariners Church on April 14. dards. Somebody has to say these Instead of being dragged along Members from the three campuses of Mariners Church donated nearly $500,000 toward community and global outreach kids are worth something.” with fear, Beshore has joined her projects over the fi rst weekend of the campaign.