BRADFORD HIGH

There was a protest rally in the rain out in front of Bradford High School in Kenosha today at 7 a.m. -- sponsored by Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas (pictured).

The group is in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee area for the next several days, protesting in front of schools, Catholic churches and other organizations.

It is with great sadness that I am even able to write the truth of this happening right here in our own city.  WBC has gained national and infamous attention for their protests across the country, disrupting cemetery services of military personnel and brandishing large signs that condemn homosexuals.  The internet protection installed in our own church office wouldn't even allow me to go to their church website homepage, listed as www.godhatesfags.com.  The domain was blocked.

We at Journey Church do not suppose to speak for every congregation in our city, but we know many would line up behind these statements -- that the true church of Jesus is called to be the visible representation of Christ to our city -- to be open-armed in acceptance and grace, as Jesus was and is, recognizing that we are all forever hopeless and helpless without a Savior.  Our prayer is that the church in Kenosha becomes famous for the love and grace of Jesus extended to every man, woman and child with abandon.

Some of the youth pastors from our city, including our own Jon Brown, waged the war of love this morning by going to Bradford High and serving hot chocolate to students inside the cafeteria (pictured).  As Pastor Jon said:  Love was allowed inside the building; hate had to stay outside.

To any and all who were hurt or offended by the protests of this morning by WBC, we stand in the gap to give apology.  We love our city and the people who call it home.  Our goal at Journey Church is to 'make it easy for people to find and experience God.'  We do that by how we live - by our actions - our attitudes - loving the way Jesus loved to the very best of our abilities and understanding - some days, imperfectly.

As we commit ourselves personally to the truth of the Gospel, we continually ask God to allow our arms to spread wider and wider in grace and service, regardless of lifestyles, belief systems, values and mores.

This is the Gospel of Christ and this is how they will know we are disciples of Jesus.

And be blessed.