No
Compromise:
Standing
Firm On Your Faith
The
story behind the story
By
Lee Hartman, Managing
Editor, Metro Voice
While
she may not have walked away with the Miss USA crown, Miss California Carrie Prejean captured the national spotlight with her answer to
a judge’s question about same-sex marriage. As most everyone has learned by
now, Prejean found herself at the center of the
homosexual “marriage” controversy after being named runner-up in the national
Miss USA contest in April.
What
is NOT commonly known is the story behind the story, how God was working behind
the scenes. The details of this tale were told when, a week after the pageant, Prejean appeared at the Rock Church in San Diego during
Sunday services. She is a member of the Rock family and actively serves in
church outreach ministries. The service, which was streamed live on the
internet, featured a discussion between Prejean and
the Rock’s Pastor Miles McPherson, who spent time with Prejean
in the critical hours following the pageant.
Prejean
(pray-ZHAWN') recounted how, as one of the final five contestants, she drew a
question from openly-gay judge Perez Hilton, who asked if she believed other
states should follow Vermont’s lead in legalizing same-sex marriage.
Prejean related how she knew at that moment that an
honest answer would cost her the crown. But she decided to speak from her
heart.
“We
live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite,” Prejean responded then. “And you know what, I think in my
country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between
a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was
raised.”
Homosexual activists immediately unleashed vicious attacks against Prejean – among them Hilton himself, who in a video
rant on his website called her several vulgar names. The Hollywood blogger also said he would have gone up on stage and
snatched the tiara from her head if she had won Miss USA .
Prejean
related how, immediately after the pageant, she was told to get on a plane to
New York for interviews. On the plane by herself, she began to feel very alone
and worried about the upcoming interviews with the New York media. She was
longing and praying for someone to help prepare and pray with her.
Now
it seems that, what with the Rock being San Diego ’s largest church, Prejean had never previously met McPherson in person. But
at that very moment, on another plane bound for a conference in New York was
Pastor McPherson!
McPherson
had just gotten word from his church that Miss California was also en route to
New York and needed help. So he called her cell number, found the voice mailbox
full, and then sent a text message. Prejean opened
the message and read, “This is Miles McPherson from the Rock. I’ll be in New
York tonight. I’m trying to reach you, but your voice mailbox is full. Call me,
girl. I’m proud of you.”
“I
immediately fell to my knees and said ‘Thank you, God’” Prejean
remarked. McPherson later helped prepare her for the interviews and went to
every one of them with her.
In
his remarks at the Sunday service, McPherson likened Prejean
to Esther in the Bible – saying she was placed in this spot “for such a time as
this.” Esther accepted her calling and said “If I perish, I perish.” Prejean did much the same thing. McPherson also gave advice
for others in similar predicaments:
“Our
culture is going away from biblical truth,” McPherson said. “But that does not
nullify the truth of the Bible. If you believe, don’t be intimidated. Be bold,
stand up for Christ, and thank Him for the opportunity. Ask what God wants you
to do, and then do it in love and humility.”
In
subsequent appearances, Prejean has stood fast in her
morals and biblical truths, refusing to compromise her faith. She says she has
no regrets, and in fact feels like she won, stating she has been able to use
the controversy as a platform to share her Christian faith.
"I
feel like I’m the winner. I really do,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I
stated an opinion that was true to myself, and that’s all I can do. Now I know
that I have a purpose, and I can go out and speak to young people about
standing up for what you believe in.”
America
apparently agrees. In a poll conducted by OneNewsNow,
only 0.28 of one percent felt Prejean should have
given a "politically correct" answer.
On
the other hand, Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California competition, said
that he was "saddened" and "hurt" over Miss California 's
comments at the pageant, and the Miss California co-director Shanna Moakler, a former Miss
USA, issued an apology to state pageant sponsors, saying “Prejean’s
opinions do not stand for those of the Miss California family.”
How
has Prejean reacted to Hilton’s verbal attacks, and
his defacing of her photo in the hotel lobby?
"You
know, I forgive him,” she said. “I know that he's angry for whatever reason. I
know there must be a bigger issue going on in his life."
“From
the moment she opened her mouth, Prejean has given
liberals a clinic in class,” said Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel. “Hilton, on
the other hand, has provided the world a sneak peek into the soul of homosexual
activism.”
Wayne
Besen, a leader in the homosexual activist community,
went on Fox News to try and defend Hilton. He charged that it was not Hilton,
but Prejean’s recognition of biblical marriage that
"was divisive." Besen then went on to tag
the 70 percent of Americans who oppose homosexual “marriage" as
"bigots."
Phillip
Cosby , Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Protection of
Children & Families in Kansas City, commented on the firestorm.
“As
the same-sex controversy rages nationally we are seeing some local pastors
state their position. Some get it wrong, some get it right. But sexual
integrity – it’s not optional. In these days we need clarity from pulpits, and
courage,” Cosby stated. “Miss California got it right.”
The
21-year-old Prejean, a junior at San Diego Christian
College, is studying to become a special education teacher and is a volunteer
for Special Olympics and Best Buddies, a nonprofit program that helps the
disabled gain friendships. She is also involved with a ministry to women in the
adult entertainment industry, works with children in foster care, promotes
self-esteem issues in girls and women, helps refugees learn English, and is an
advocate for breast and ovarian cancer research.
Lee
Hartman writes from Topeka , Kansas. LHartman3@cox.net or voice@cox.net.
Miss California ’s pastor and church
Just
who is Miles McPherson, Miss California ’s pastor at the Rock Church in San Diego ?
McPherson
is a man radically transformed by God. Even after fulfilling his youthful
dreams of a successful collegiate football career and playing in the NFL,
McPherson was spiritually empty and on a path of destruction in the form of
cocaine use.
During
his second season in the NFL, two of his teammates, Sherman Smith and Ray
Preston, told him about God's amazing love and grace. Finally, one early
morning in 1984, McPherson had his first encounter with the person of Jesus
Christ and decided to follow Him.
The
moment McPherson relinquished control of his life, God's power was evident. He
was delivered from his drug habit, experienced positive changes in his daily
life and actions, and was reunited with his girlfriend, Debbie, who is now his
wife.
God
soon set McPherson’s feet on a new path: serving in ministry, learning theology,
and preaching the Gospel. McPherson had great dreams as a young man, but had
never imagined the joy and fulfillment to be experienced in sharing God's love
with others.
McPherson
started the Rock Church in 2000, and he is now a nationally recognized
evangelist. McPherson is unique in his ability to attract a diverse audience
that is also younger than most. The Rock is now San Diego 's largest church and
the nation's second fastest growing church according to Outreach Magazine.
Located in the Point Loma area of
San Diego , the Rock sanctuary is home to 12,000 church attendees during its
five weekly Sunday services.
Lee
Hartman, Managing Editor, Metro Voice