Post by Jesse Morrell on Mar 3, 2006 15:55:40 GMT -5
CONFRONTATIONAL MINISTERS DESCEND ON CAMPUS
Allan Johnson
Student Assistant
"Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims...they're all wrong!"
"If you like to get NAKED with your girlfriend or your boyfrield, you'll be NAKED when you stand before God on Judgment Day. You'll be naked when you're in the lake of fire."
"Put down the bottle, pick up the bible." At nine o'clock in the morning, Hinduism, Judgment Day, and the bottle are usually not on the forefront of KC students' minds, but Open Air Outreach is out to change that.
The Ministry group known for its self-proclaimed "shock and awe" approach has six times applied for and received permits to speak on campus this semester.
The men are allowed to spread their beliefs between 9 am - 2 pm in front of the Liberal Arts Building directly across from the Devall Student Center.
"America has churches what seems like every corner and yet those who need to hear the gospel the most often hear it the least," says the group's official Web site. "We are here to take the gospel to where it belongs."
The group primarily focuses on college campuses and has traveled all over the country. They have preached to audiences in Georgia, Idaho, and Missouri, just to name a few.
While in Texas, KC has not been the only stop. They have ventured onto community colleges in Lufkin and major universities like Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Austin.
After their visit to Austin, they posted this journal entry:
"That evening we went and preached at 6th Street Austin, which is the club district. It looked much like New Orleans; drunk men and women dressed as prostitutes. There were thousands upon thousands of people on this one street alone. Like sheep off to the slaughter, they were blindly marching straight to hell."
Needless to say they have met with some disapproval. Some universities have stopped them from preaching, and a police presence is occasionally needed. WHile at KC, the audiences have been relatively small, but regardless of size there the audiences always features a member of the KCPD.
"From everything I have seen, their mission is to be controversial," said Leah Gorman, coordinator of student activities. "They want peopel to respond to them."
At KC the audiences have been described as "calm and cival" by the organization, but they still have voiced their opinions.
"I understand freedom of speech, but to tell them (people) they're of the devil...it's ridiculous," said Shannon Cohey.
The group's appearance Thursday will be the last for awhile as they head to Oklahoma next week to spread their word.