***The following was written and sent by Pastor Anthony Brown of One 80 Ministries and posted with his permission***

Dear Rex

Hello, I am writing for several reasons.

First, I want to say that I enjoyed the Riders for Christ, and Disciple. I also appreciate and think it was awesome that everything was free, and that we could have a good time in the name of the Lord. Good job.

But, as you are probably receiving from others, I am so extremely disappointed by Darryl Worley. Let me briefly say that myself, as well as others, could actually feel the atmosphere change when Worley started singing. Where once Christ was glorified; now partying, drinking, and blatant lukewarm (if even that) Christianity was being promoted. He even cursed.

I am not only frustrated, but sad.

Did you know that Panorama Ranch (the local drug and alcohol recovery ranch) was there in full? That I had a large caravan of people from One 80 go to the concert. That people from One 80 who are FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES from alcohol and drugs and paryting all were there? And then to hear Worley sing about the exact things that are killing my congregation?!

Today, I had to back-peddle and preach for a good 10 minutes on the lukewarm bull that came from that guy…to tell them that it’s not all right to be a Christian and yet "raise a little bit of hell." (www.countrymusic.about.com/library/bldarrylworley-bio.htm)

Also quoted from the same web page:

"It's complicated," he admits. "When I saw that movie 'The Apostle,' I saw myself in him. My parents did a wonderful job of instilling spiritual values in me, but from both sides of my family, I've got these genes that make me want to go out and honky-tonk. I'm fighting myself constantly. I want to be this Christian guy who sets an example nobody can deny. Then I catch myself wanting to just rip and roar. What do you do?"

What do you do? What do you do? Well, just like the "Apostle" you beat your body into submission!

It even makes me respectfully wonder if that was the reason Dr. Reese only spoke for approximately 5 minutes? I hope he was furious with Worley. I hope that you all are furious about him.

Anyway, I am glad that it was a success…I am also glad that people came forward to accept Jesus Christ. I am glad that God can work even in our mess, however, I believe that more would have stayed to listen if the Spirit wasn’t hampered by the love-of-the-world songs by Mr. Worley.

I hope and pray that Somebody Loves You is proactive about this issue, and doesn’t just sweep it away as complaining from small town churches. Because I would love to back up an "all Christian Crusade" when it comes back around…but if there has to be compromises, then I guess I’ll just praise the Lord by myself.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pastor Anthony Brown

One 80 Ministries, Joshua Tree

I am writing this as a lesson regarding compromise. One of the most severe problems we have as a church today is our thinking that we must sell Jesus to the world. So, we go about that with the mindset of a small business owner or depending on the ministry size maybe with the mindset of a large corporation. We are no longer proclaimers we are just promoters. We promote the Gospel to be Truth, but live like we are not sure. The world looks at us with the same disdain as they do at late night infomercials. Lots of hype, no substance! In the place of discipleship, fellowship, and service we have exalted numbers (how many people came), names (who goes to what church), and buildings (how big is the sanctuary). Instead of the work of Christ we have labored the work of man. We have become shameless self-promoters. Do we think the harvest is for us? It is Christ’s purchased possession and so we labor with Him, His way. So, we have lost the focus of the Church. The corporate mentality in the Church reeks of greed, pride, and selfishness. I think the Enemy has little to fear from a Church founded and motivated by these principles. We must turn back to the model for the Church. Yes, some will say but our Church buildings will be smaller and our services less flashy, so be it, if Christ be welcomed and glorified in the buildings and services called by His name. The world will never be sold to Christ, Christ did not ordain salesmen, He ordained living examples, those whose lives would testify of His selfless love, service, and Truth. May we ever be found to be fashioned in this mold both as individuals and as His Bride. Repent with me for the wickedness we have allowed in His Church that He might heal us and restore to us His Power - His Way.

By His Grace & Mercy

Pastor Joshua Hughes
Everlasting Gospel Ministries

Hello Rex,
 
I am writing this to express my discouragement to you that Darryl Worley will be performing and has been promoted for the upcoming event at the 29 Palms Marine Base on the 25th of October. My question is why is Somebody Loves You unequally yoked together with a worker of unrighteousness in attempting to proclaim the Gospel. There is no fellowship possible between the two entities. Darryl Worley has made unabashed crude comments and posed nude in Playgirl magazine within the past 18 months. There has not been any visible public comments or evidence to show that Darryl's life has been converted. He simply lacks fruits to identify him by. None of the Biblical examples allied themselves with the unconverted to reach the lost. I pray that compromise would not be found in our midst. We can not compromise our convictions for the sake of reaching the lost. If so, you would have packed the house much more completely by bringing in strippers. Where does it stop? Where do we draw the line? Darryl's song he is heavily promoting has to do with Tequila. So, he will lead us in a song proclaiming the merits of a life outside of Christ and Raul will lead us in a message proclaiming the merits of a life in Christ? A house divided against itself cannot stand. The world does not need the standard of Christ reduced down to their level as it would then do nothing to impact their lives. The world needs the holiness and majesty of God exalted and the purity of the Gospel proclaimed unashamedly that they might receive the light of the Gospel and be converted. Please do not water down the Gospel by proclaiming liberty with words while exalting someone who is in bondage to sin. This is just not right. I do not write this in condemnation or in judgment, but as a warning to you that all that you seek to accomplish will be left undone and fruitless if not done in God's ways but in the ways of man. I understand we want to reach the troops, I concur with the mission but the execution is flawed. I would not have ever in my wildest dreams thought that Somebody Loves You would be promoting a man like Darryl Worley or even associating with him as a partner in ministry. I know the response usually is, here is a legalist casting judgment, but that is certainly not my intention in any way. I want to see many true disciples of Christ birthed on Saturday and I will continue to pray and intercede as I know that you will.
 
Interceding with you,
 
Pastor Joshua Hughes
Everlasting Gospel Ministries

***This email was sent on October 23rd, 2008 as of 10/24/08 I still have not received a response of any kind from Somebody Loves You Ministries***

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