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Unfortunately, it was turned into a forum for those with anything but humanitarian goals, a group called Border Watch. After the meeting they posted videos and comments on You Tube promoting their hateful views. Since it was an interfaith event, a prayer closed with the recognition of the prophets of all three Abrahamic faiths. What follows are some of the comments from around the nation about those videos from people who lack the understanding, compassion, and intelligence to discern the real issues about what was trying to be accomplished and about the lessons of unconditional love taught by Jesus Christ.
“…is more concerned about illegal aliens than the American people and American poor! If you want to serve the illegal aliens take your church to Mexico…”
“…It is immoral to steal American Childrens future. …”
“…I'd like to give that "pastor" another black eye…”
“…Islam is of the DEVIL, Mohamed was EVIL! HIS RELIGION IS A CRIME SYNDICATE…”
Please read the following letter from Senior Pastor of Cypress Creek Christian Church, Glenn Wilkerson in response to their actions.
| Proclaiming Truth and Good News Dear Loved Ones at Cypress Creek, Well, we've received some media publicity this past week, and I want to take a few moments to share the details with you in case anybody asks you about it. The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce recently called for the creation of a community-wide Interfaith Coalition to help it address humanitarian concerns in our community. The Cypress Creek Interfaith Coalition for Economic Development was created a few weeks ago in response to this call, and our own Dr. Franklin Moore was elected Chairperson (which, I think, is great!). One of the issues that that the Chamber has asked the Coalition to address is the ten-year-old problem of day laborers congregating in the parking lot of a strip center on Stuebner-Airline, just north of Cypresswood. The Coalition also is looking at community concerns such as the need for a four-year college in our community and for a police station to provide better security on FM 1960 near I-45. The Coalition has pledged to work with the Chamber of Commerce and NAM to help make a great community even better. In taking up the day laborer problem, the Coalition (a collection of leaders from some area congregations) hoped to express Christian compasssion for the plight of the store owners whose parking lot the laborers occupy, the residents of Wimbledon whose main entrance is populated by a crowd of men, and the laborers themselves. While many of the laborers (if not the majority) probably are illegal immigrants and should not be here, they ARE here. Their only desire is to put food on the table for their families, and they need to be treated like the children of God that they are. Everyone in the Coaltion opposes illegal immigration and supports the laws addressing the matter. The only thing the Coalition is looking to do is to come up with some ideas for handling the problem other than just removing the laborers from their present "unofficial gathering site" and pushing them to another public location where the problem will be repeated. One idea was a day laborer site where workers can at least get a drink of water, go to the bathroom, and get out of the sun while waiting for work. The Coaltion decided to have a town hall meeting to discuss this idea--and hopefully to receive others. The meeting was held at Cypress Creek this past Tuesday and was taken over by an organization with a prepared agenda who ignored the purpose of the meeting and used the occasion to promote its views. Subsequently, that organization has tried to use the media to spread rumors and untruths about the meeting and its organizers. I guess that, because the town hall meeting was held at Cypress Creek, this organization has questioned the goodness of not only the Coalition but also Franklin, me, and our church. The hoopla ain't no big deal and will blow over in a few days. (I'm just sorry we inadvertently gave a fear-crazed organization a forum for airing its stuff.) In the meantime, I wanted to assure you that your beloved church is absolutely committed to "upholding the law" and at the same time trying to promote the larger community good. It's important to me that you know the facts in case anybody asks you about your church's involvement in this or any other activity where we're trying to make a postive, Christian difference. Our church has always tried, and will continue to try, to be an agent for the spreading of the Good News of God's unconditional love revealed through Jesus Christ. This means that we try to elevate the qualtiy of life spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally for everybody who lives in our community. I think it's what's meant by being the "hands and feet of the Christ." I was touched by the words of an unknown person who sent this message to the Houston Chronicle blog a couple of days ago: "Cypress Creek Church does a lot of wonderful things in their community. I'm not a Christian, but if I were I would consider this church. They care and are involved and proactive." I can't think of a higher compliment for anyone to pay to our church. |
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Those who respond with hate to the compassion of such Godly men just don’t understand the basic teachings of Christianity and should ask themselves the question, “What would Jesus do?”.
I’m quite sure Jesus would tend to the needs of the needy no matter what their citizenship. His faith did not recognize any political borders. Don’t let your faith stop at ours.
John Basel