| To begin with, my children already lived here with | | | | FINALY, THIS FROM U.S. NEWS & WORLD |
| their mother and stepfather. The varsity football | | | | REPORT... |
| team, the Stephenville Yellow Jackets, was the | | | | To pray--or not to pray" by Robert Bryce. |
| winningest Texas football team in the 90's and | | | | U.S. News & World Report, Sep 13, 1999 |
| my sons, along with their stepfather, urged me to | | | | (Vol 127, No 10). Page 26. |
| come and see these kids play. "They are | | | | Joel Allen and Alan Ward, two Stephenville, Texas, |
| phenomenal!" I was assured. I went to watch | | | | high school students, refused to be denied the |
| them play as they won the Texas State | | | | tradition that surrounded their school's football |
| Championships in 98 and 99. They WERE | | | | games. So to circumvent a federal court order |
| phenomenal! My youngest son played football at | | | | barring use of a school's public address system |
| Stephenville High. His underclass teams won | | | | for prayer before high school football games, the |
| district and he played Varsity ball on a team that | | | | two students borrowed a small speaker system |
| went to the Bi-District finals his Senior year. This | | | | and led the crowd in prayer, much to the fans' |
| was enough to get me to criss-cross the wide | | | | delight. |
| open spaces of Texas from Arlington, chasing | | | | The court ruling that affects Stephenville, Texas, |
| after my son's football games for four years, | | | | handed down in February 1999, by the Fifth U.S. |
| including quite a few contests right in his home | | | | Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a national |
| town of Stephenville. | | | | furor over the place of prayer in public school |
| Game by game, the town was growing on me. | | | | events. The court's decision stated that |
| Some unusual things were happening there that | | | | student-led prayer during graduation ceremonies is |
| caught my attention from my apartment in | | | | allowed, but prayer during events such as football |
| Arlington. For starters, on a Christian radio show I | | | | games is not since they do not represent a |
| used to listen to, the host, Dawson McAllister, | | | | "solemn" enough occasion. |
| mentioned he would soon be speaking at a rally | | | | This latest ruling is one of several conflicting |
| in...where else? Stephenville! Hmm. Intriguing. Turns | | | | federal decisions on school prayer in recent years. |
| out, my kids attended that rally. I found out later, | | | | In July 1999, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals |
| most EVERYBODY's kids attended. | | | | ruled that an Alabama school district could not ban |
| Another happening that the Holy Spirit used to | | | | student-initiated prayer at school activities, even |
| lure my attention to Stephenville was the war | | | | when attendance of the event is mandatory. |
| against prayer in the schools, particularly at | | | | The Fifth Circuit Court's decision will most likely be |
| sporting events and graduations. The reports | | | | appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the |
| were on virtually every nightly newscast. I noticed | | | | meantime, some school districts in Louisiana and |
| during my brief visits to town that there were | | | | Texas say they will hold a moment of silence in |
| many kids wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with the | | | | lieu of prayer. Others vow to ignore the ruling |
| words "I Pray before I Play" emblazoned boldly | | | | altogether. |
| upon the front. Following are some pieces of | | | | YOU GET THE PICTURE. |
| articles I found on the Internet, the likes of which | | | | I was fascinated, waiting with baited breath for |
| I seemed to be hearing regularly back in the late | | | | the next act of civil disobedience to come from |
| 90's. They speak for themselves, painting an | | | | the kids from this li'l ol' town in Texas I'd never |
| accurate picture of the climate of those days: | | | | heard of until my kids moved there. |
| "...the athletic field is rapidly turning into a culture | | | | Finally, I became very ill and was faced with a |
| war battle zone, as it did Friday night at a game in | | | | difficult decision. I had to leave Arlington, a place |
| Stephenville, Texas, over the issue of school | | | | I'd lived for 14 years and a Church of which I was |
| prayer. Education boards and school principals | | | | a Charter Member and Assistant Pastor as well as |
| across Texas are struggling with federal guidelines | | | | a good-paying job where I held a prestigious |
| on religious activities, including the ban on official | | | | position. But I couldn't bend over to load my |
| school prayer. Earlier this year, the 5th U.S. Circuit | | | | dishwasher, walk a flight of stairs or carry |
| Court of Appeals ruled that some religious | | | | groceries to and from my car. I needed my |
| references were permissible at school events like | | | | children's help. |
| graduation ceremonies, but were inappropriate -- | | | | Stephenville, here I come! |
| not sufficiently sacred -- during other activities like | | | | Crippled and in pain, finding a job was nearly |
| athletic contests. Jurists ruled that the hootin' and | | | | impossible. I came very close to filing Medicaid |
| hollerin' of a down-home football standoff lacked | | | | papers and becoming a ward of the state. I |
| the "singularly serious nature" of other functions, | | | | couldn't bring myself to do it. Where God guides, |
| such as a graduation event. | | | | He provides and He regularly sent ravens to take |
| "That didn't stop a small group of 15 students on | | | | care of my needs. My old college roommate lived |
| Friday night, though, from smuggling a portable | | | | in Dublin just 12 minutes away. He directed a |
| public address system into a high school game in | | | | publishing company to contact me as they |
| Stephenville, Texas, to lead supporters in public | | | | needed an illustrator for a series of children's |
| prayer... | | | | books. That job alone, a job I could do from my |
| "One of the "prayer warrior" students at Friday | | | | kitchen table or even from propped -up pillows, |
| night's game told the Stephenville Empire-Tribune | | | | was enough to help me make ends meet. |
| paper, "This was not about football, it was about | | | | Between chapters, recipients of my weekly email |
| God. We decided to pray for God (sic)." According | | | | Bible broadcasts would occasionally come through |
| to an Associated Press report, local high school | | | | with a love offering. |
| superintendent Larry Butler said that the | | | | I was living from miracle to miracle until I received |
| impromptu prayer rally did not have support of | | | | a call from my old college pal informing me that |
| authorities from the district. "With that being said," | | | | the local Chamber of Commerce was in need of |
| added Butler, "I applaud them for doing something | | | | a receptionist. I did not even know what a |
| that they feel really strongly about. I think the | | | | Chamber of Commerce actually did but I was |
| entire community of Stephenville believes in school | | | | feeling miraculously better, well enough to have |
| prayer." | | | | applied for work at a local dairy reading the ear |
| "So far, there are no other reports of | | | | tags on cows just the day before. Funny, I can't |
| spontaneous prayer outbreaks at weekend | | | | recall a job interview where a prospective |
| football games. News accounts suggest that most | | | | employer asked if I'd mind occasionally getting |
| school district throughout Texas are abiding by | | | | "splattered with manure." (I replied that it sounded |
| the Circuit Court guidelines..." | | | | like my last job. He didn't laugh.) Any way, I went |
| FROM ANOTHER ARTICLE... | | | | right to The Chamber and I'll be there 5 years |
| "A number of "spontaneous" protest at football | | | | this July 7th. It's a great job and the Lord has |
| games have taken place in Stephenville. Last | | | | allowed me numerous opportunities to tap into the |
| week, the Board of Trustees of the Stephenville | | | | spiritual roots of the community from my position. |
| Independent School District grappled with a policy | | | | UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY |
| which would permit a student selected by popular | | | | At the Chamber, I've been privileged to work for |
| vote to deliver a pre-game "message," provided | | | | and with wonderful Christian people. Several years |
| certain rules were observed. The local | | | | back, one lady I worked with had the idea of |
| Empire-Tribune newspaper noted: "The rules are | | | | putting on an event that would give teens |
| that the purpose of the message is to encourage | | | | something to do after school ended in may. as |
| good sportsmanship and student safety and to | | | | we brainstormed, the event evolved into "The |
| promote the proper environment for the | | | | Extreme Thing." In no time, other church |
| competition... The message may also be used to | | | | members and ministers jumped on board. In the |
| welcome or greet fans and the opposing team | | | | end, we had 29 churches involved, 9 bands, |
| and/or to commend them for their achievements. | | | | bouncy toys, organized games, 1,000 attendees |
| "While one board member mused that the new | | | | and several ministers. The event was closed by a |
| policy "would legally create an open forum for a | | | | wonderful Church of Christ choir and their pastor. |
| period of time designated for the message and | | | | It was awesome! |
| designate a place for the student message," | | | | In 2002 and 2003, I organized a July 4th parade |
| another member saw through the obfuscation. | | | | entry which I called "The Declaration of |
| Referring to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court decision | | | | Dependence." I designed a T-shirt and matching |
| disallowing pre-game prayer, he told fellow board | | | | banner and about 50 Christians suited up and took |
| members: "This is the law today whether we like | | | | part. The next year, over 150 Christians took |
| it or not. Until this is cleared up, I personally think | | | | part from 11 different churches - including Hispanic |
| we go against the law if we allow student prayer, | | | | Churches. We had the largest entry in the parade |
| or any prayer, before the game..." " | | | | that year. |
| HERE'S ONE MORE FROM '99... | | | | One day, a man from the Assembly of God |
| Students Defy Federal Judge on Prayer at High | | | | Church took me to lunch. He had an idea for a |
| School Game | | | | door to door prayer ministry he called "Operation |
| Stephenville, TX - The August 27th football | | | | Jesus." I designed a logo for a T-shirt and, in the |
| season opener for the Stephenville High School | | | | past two years, hundreds of participants have |
| Yellow Jackets was not only memorable for the | | | | prayed for virtually every dwelling place in town. |
| lop-sided victory they had, but also for the | | | | We're about to start over and the numbers of |
| courage shown by the student body and the fans | | | | participating churches is increasing every time we |
| in the crowd. A district federal judge had issued a | | | | go out. |
| decision forbidding prayer at public school | | | | A young Youth Minister from the Disciples of |
| gatherings, even if initiated by students. The | | | | Christ had the vision to organize an event he |
| students of Stephenville High believe this is a | | | | called "The Unity Conference." In the end, |
| violation of their constitutional right to freedom of | | | | hundreds of believers attended from various |
| religion. The student body not only takes pride in | | | | denominations to listen to seven different |
| being the defending 4A state champions, but in | | | | ministers speak on a variety of subjects and |
| exercising their constitutional rights. | | | | worship together in song with several church |
| Before the opening kickoff, one of the students | | | | worship teams. I was honored to have been one |
| of Stephenville High grabbed a microphone and led | | | | of those who ministered. Just a few months ago, |
| a "spontaneous" prayer. Several students joined | | | | I actually preached the Sunday morning services |
| the young man on the sidelines, but what was | | | | in that same church on two consecutive Sundays. |
| even more powerful was the fact that not some, | | | | My own ministry has expanded to include |
| but all of the people in the stands stood up, | | | | opportunities to speak at the high school and the |
| removed their hats and joined in the prayer. Local | | | | local college where I recently participated in a |
| news stations were there to cover the game and | | | | panel discussion on homosexuality in a grad level |
| questioned the police and high school administrator | | | | counseling/psych class. Last Sunday, I completed |
| as to what they planned to do about the "illegal" | | | | my 6th and final week of teaching at the First |
| praying. There was no response from the police, | | | | United Methodist Church. I've been invited back. |
| but the high school administrator simply said that | | | | The Pastor called me at work just today to |
| no actions were to be taken against the students. | | | | thank me for "sharing my gift" with his |
| School officials also pointed out that since the | | | | congregation. Nice man. |
| school had not officially sanctioned the action, it | | | | The pastor from the local Cowboy Church - a |
| could not be held legally liable for what happened. | | | | Baptist group that has blossomed to 500 |
| The federal judge, upon hearing about the public | | | | members in its first year - has asked that I come |
| prayer, said that the prayer was in violation of | | | | and teach the Cowboys about the cults. Though |
| the constitutional separation of church and state. | | | | I'm not Baptist, I have taught too many times to |
| Some supporters of the students pointed out | | | | count at the Sunday meetings of the local Baptist |
| that the Constitution does not demand separation | | | | Ministry. I attend a weekly house church meeting |
| of church and state, but guarantees that there will | | | | that includes several Pentecostals, some Baptists |
| be no laws made establishing any official religion or | | | | and a couple of Catholics. We've prayed together |
| prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Students | | | | and ministered to others and have seen miracles |
| interviewed said that they planned to pray publicly | | | | and spiritual gifts in operation. |
| at their next game. | | | | Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and |
| One thing that most local reports on the event | | | | the Father are one. Unity commands a Heavenly |
| failed to mention was that it was not just the | | | | blessing. |
| Stephenville students and supporters, but their | | | | THAT'S MY STORY... |
| football adversaries as well that stood up to be | | | | That's how I got to town and what God's shown |
| counted. The Weatherford High School Kangaroos, | | | | me in the mean time. Has it been without its |
| and all their fans, honored the brave individuals | | | | trials? Hardly. Aside from hate mail via my |
| that dared to challenge the edict of a federal | | | | computer, I once visited a woman in the county |
| judge by standing with them during the prayer. | | | | jail and even helped arrange her release. She later |
| With reporters scouring the crowd for an | | | | accused me of a crime and filed a restraining |
| opposing view, not one person was found whom | | | | order against me. Not only did that case never |
| the prayer offended. Still the judge finds this act | | | | make it to trial, but that woman has been sent to |
| illegal and irresponsible! | | | | the state jail for another crime. On top of that, |
| What happens going forward from here depends | | | | there have been a few people who wouldn't allow |
| on how determined the judge is to force his will | | | | their kids to sit under my teaching because they |
| on the people, and how determined the citizens of | | | | learned I've been divorced. At least no one's |
| Stephenville are to defend their constitutional | | | | shooting. |
| rights. For one night at least, this was seen as a | | | | Oh, one last bit of good news is this: I moved to |
| victory for Texans in the exercise of their rights. | | | | a cabin in the woods and, when I met my |
| As for Weatherford High, it was the one bright | | | | wonderful wife, Barbara, we not only moved here |
| spot in a night that resulted in a 34-7 loss to the | | | | and love it, but we bought a Victorian home in |
| Yellow Jackets. | | | | town that my parents moved into from Las |
| AND ANOTHER... | | | | Cruces, New Mexico and are managing as a |
| MORE SCHOOLS IGNORE FOOTBALL PRAYER | | | | rooming house. We call it Vanderbilt Place. Barb is |
| BAN | | | | a registered nurse and got a job at the hospital |
| North of Dallas, Celina high school football fans | | | | located just 2 blocks from my downtown office |
| prayed before a football game with a Christian | | | | at The Chamber. I see all 4 of my kids, |
| school. The apparently coordinated prayer by | | | | daughter-in-law and three grandchildren regularly. I |
| fans, football players, cheerleaders, and band | | | | can recall the times that I was always so all alone |
| members violates the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of | | | | and sickly. |
| Appeals ban on school football prayers because | | | | I'm not sure what it is the Lord is doing here in |
| football is not properly solemn enough for God. | | | | this wonderful little town but, knowing Him, I |
| Rev. John Mark Arrington, pastor at Lighthouse | | | | know it's gonna be great! I encourage anyone |
| Full Gospel Church in Garland distributed 250 | | | | reading this now to grow where you're planted, |
| T-shirts with the slogan, "Celina Bobcats Pray | | | | regardless of circumstances. I've learned that |
| Before They Play." Arrington want students to | | | | anything we can see with human eyes is subject |
| obey "God's law," which justifies the growing | | | | to change. Even at my sickest, I was mailing |
| rebellion of evangelicals against the U.S. | | | | Christian Gospel tracts to Middle Eastern-sounding |
| Constitution. | | | | names from the phone book on the chance the |
| In Stephenville, students brought their own sound | | | | recipients might be Muslim. I made it to the letter |
| system to football games and delivered a religious | | | | "J" as I recall. My stamp-licking tongue wasn't |
| message using the equipment. There was no | | | | broken, after all. Later, a dear friend gave me a |
| report that school officials took any action to | | | | good used computer and my email ministry was |
| prevent it. | | | | on its way. I STILL only type with one finger (40 |
| In Midland, student-led prayers at football games | | | | wpm, not bad, huh?). |
| still happen. School officials said the prayers would | | | | Now, scroll down and FORWARD the message. |
| continue until someone filed a lawsuit to make | | | | Rate it if you like. |
| them stop. | | | | |