The Cross Fell Off the Wall During
Palm Sunday Service in Texas
ACLC Report from Texas
Rev. Mark Hernandez
famfedhouston@ARGOLINK.NET
FFWPU Vice Regional Director in Texas.
April 18, 2003
Dallas, TX
Rev. J.C., Pastor
[Background: A month ago, prior to attending the Chicago ACLC
Convocation, I had read a report to Rev C. and Rev O. concerning True
Father's comments about the cross to Jewish and Christians leaders who
had attended the Middle East Conference. Then upon attending the Chicago
workshop, Rev. C. was met by a smiling sister who recognized him from the
Ocean City 2002 workshop. According to Rev C., she said, "Rev C. it's so
nice to see you. Did you take down your cross yet?" He didn't know what
to say. Actually since he had heard TF's words, he had begun to feel the
Holy Spirit telling him to take his church's cross down. What that sister
blurted out struck him to his core. He declared publicly that he would
obey the Spirit and take down the cross as soon as he returned to Dallas.
Unfortunately, he got wrapped up in his usual busy schedule and forgot to
keep his promise. Then, while Rev C. was out of town and his pastor friend
Rev Ricky C. (who had attended Chicago and heard C's promise) was presiding
over Palm Sunday service for C., the church's 8 foot by 4 foot cross fell
off the wall and struck one of the church's elders. By God's grace the elder
was not terribly hurt. After service when Ricky C. called C. to report
what had happened, he immediately began to repent of his failure to keep
his word. Rev. C. returned from his trip on Wed. night 4/16 and met with
me the next day, Maundy Thursday, to plan a noontime Good Friday Service to
take down the cross.]
As invited ministers and C's own members arrived in the hour before
service was to begin, we found him on the church grounds shoveling out
the last of the 9 foot by 5 foot hole in which he was going to lay to rest
his church's sanctuary cross. The service, having been hastily called into
being was attended by two of his church leaders and 12 other members. Other
attending and fully supportive clergy were Rev Tessie Willis, Co-Pastor,
Lighthouse of Faith Family Church and Rev Ricky C., Pastor, Mercy Seat.
There were also 10 or more Family Federation leaders and members in attendance.
Rev C. felt comfortable following the suggested liturgy and called upon
me to assist him in its delivery. There was oneness of mind amongst all
present which brought the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. Many wept
during the 'Seven Last Words' but the mood changed to joy as Rev C. spoke
about the Blessing which breaks the curse and truly allows resurrected
life in spirit and flesh. We sang the 'Old Rugged Cross' as we went
outside following Rev C. lead as he shouldered the cross to its final
resting place. His members enthusiastically supported Bishop Shin's
closing prayer (in Korean) with outbursts of praise and gratitude. They
all said they would wear their crowns with responsibility.
We posed for photos of this historic event for all of Christianity.
Houston, TX
Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. B.H., Pastor
Rev Hayes had begun to plan out this Good Friday service about ten days
ago. He asked his friend and DP spiritual parent, Rev Charles K. ,
Pastor of Will of God Family Church, to give the evening's sermon and
then had asked Rev Nathan B., Pastor of Second Baptist Church to give
comments on the Seven Last Words, asked me to give a twenty minute reading
from The New Future of Christianity, and asked Rev Curtis Walker to
receive the taken-down cross and lay it to rest symbolically. Several of
Rev Hayes' own ministers participated in the reading and explanation of
the Seven Last Words. Almost ? persons attended the nighttime service. The
number of supporting clergy in attendance (including Rev Hayes' own
ministers) I would put at 30. They represented 11 churches. Amongst the
visiting pastors whose names I was able to confirm were: Rev Charles K. ,
his co-pastor Rev Essie K. Rev. Nathan B. and his first lady, Magnolia
B., Rev. Eth. and his evangelist wife assistant, Rev Mary P. Asst Pastor,
Holy Cross and co-founder of Bible Answers Institute, Rev Elijah P. and
first lady, whose church name I was not able to clearly hear. I will call
Mrs. H. to help me with ascertaining more names of guests.
Every ACLC speaker spoke with absolute authority to let the truth be
known. All of Rev. H.'s members had been to the one day workshop exactly a
week before and mentioned that proudly. They were hungry to hear more truth
from a host of different speakers.
Rev H. called the day, Bad Friday because it was the day a tragic injustice
was carried out against the Messiah and Son of God who was to have become
the King of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. The cross was taken down and
draped in a white shroud to be laid to rest and never to reappear in Rev. H's
church. The members came forth with paper crosses as in an altar call, to
surrender their cross and receive their crown (pins that had been made and
sent out by Levy).
Hayes temporarily placed on his sanctuary wall, not one but two crowns -
a larger one for a king and a smaller one for a queen. They will
eventually fill the spot where the old cross had hung.
It was clear to me that Rev. H. and his people and all the other ACLC
clergy realized fully the historical significance of what they were
undertaking and H. gave all the credit for this era of resurrection and
new truth to Rev Sun Myung Moon.
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