Contact: Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Operation Save America, 254-715-3134

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 1, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Controversies ignited like brushfires as Operation Rescue/Operation Save America confronted the culture of death in New Orleans, Louisiana (Jeremiah 5:14). Now that the smoke has cleared, what actually happened in the Big Easy?

OSA ministers in cities at the invitation of local pastors and churches.

OSA is the wheel that helps lead the church to the exposed areas where babies are murdered. OSA leadership consists of Christian pastors, reverends, and layman in good standing with the church.

All Christians have a responsibility to spread the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Additionally, all Christians have the responsibility to "rescue those unjustly sentenced to death" (Proverbs 24:11) and to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9). When OSA receives a "Macedonian Call" for help from a pastor or minister, OSA visits that city with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and exposes the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).

OSA members preach the Gospel of the Kingdom at different venues (abortion clinics, parks, street corners, and neighborhoods). In addition, OSA uses one day of the week long outreach, Sunday, to appeal to area churches to plead the case of the fatherless to win it (Jeremiah 5:28). The appeal is based upon Hebrews 10:24, which states, "Stir up one another to love and good works."

During OSA's New Orleans outreach, OSA visited more than forty area churches with this godly appeal. In addition, OSA determined to visit the Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans to bring loving correction through the Word of God (Ephesians 5:8-11). UUC is a vocal supporter of Planned Parenthood. UUC is helping to spearhead a new building site for an abortion mega clinic. This violates the clear teachings of Scripture.

Below is OSA's official response to the controversy regarding OSA's visit to the Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans. The media slandered former National Director, Rev. Flip Benham, and colluded with the abortion industry to distort certain incidences during our weeklong event.

The Unitarian Universalist Church Disruption was not Authorized by OSA 

• In addition to the Unitarian Universalist Church, OSA visited over forty other area churches without a single incident
   
• As a result of OSA's appeal to the churches, at least three local pastors and numerous layman joined the outreach
   
• The OSA member who spoke during the Unitarian Universalist Church service was not authorized by OSA to disrupt the service.
   
• The OSA member who spoke during the Unitarian Universalist Church service was not present during OSA's instructions on how to share the Word of God with church members.
   
• The disruption was contrary to OSA's specific instructions. OSA instructed members to dialog with church attendees AFTER the service.
   
• OSA leadership brought correction. The OSA member repented.
   
• Finally, the media reporting (see below) of what happened at the Unitarian Universalist Church was grossly exaggerated. The media never contacted OSA for an official comment. Reporting by Social Media and Traditional Media was Biased and Largely
  Inaccurate.
   
• The general lack of fairness, accuracy, and objectivity contributed to a mischaracterization of OSA. (Specific media inquiries should be directed to Dr. Pat McEwen, Media Relations, pmcewen@cfl.rr.com, or Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, National Director, at rusty@elijahmin.com, 254-715-3134)
   
• Biased reporting was especially apparent in the slander of Reverend Flip Benham, former National Director of OSA.
   
• Media outlets repeated the "talking points" of feminist and abortion rights groups. By definition, talking points are intended to present only one side. The typical purpose of a talking point is to propagandize. The continuous repetition within media outlets of Benham being a "convicted stalker" created an environment of "proof by assertion." Although the facts revealed something else, the media refused to report on it. The slander is seen as fact due to its not being challenged by truth. As a result, the media was a mouthpiece for abortion supporters.
   
• Throughout OSA's week long outreach, DuVergne Gaines, Legal Coordinator for the Feminist Majority Foundation and National Clinic Access Project, slandered Benham to the press. A North Carolina abortionist accused him of "stalking." Benham's conviction was overturned by a higher court. Benham was exonerated. However, media outlets repeatedly referred to Benham as a "convicted stalker," parroting the Feminist Majority's "talking points." Fact checking would have squelched the story.
   
• The neighborhood outreach was similarly mischaracterized. According to media reports, the neighborhood outreach was a "threat" rather than a Gospel witness. OSA plans its national event during the summer, to encourage mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents to minister the Gospel as families. Rather than report grandmothers and mothers pushing baby strollers visiting an abortionist's neighborhood with Gospel tracts and signs, the media mischaracterized OSA members. Neighbors were naturally concerned to hear "anti-abortion activists" were coming to "picket" their neighborhood with a "convicted stalker." Again, a little fact checking would have presented a more balanced report.

Our Operation Save America New Orleans facebook page was inundated with hundreds of vile, blasphemous, and vulgar attacks. Many who support abortion on demand railed against our efforts to save lives and souls through the Gospel of the Kingdom. We thanked them for their comments and did our best to respond as our Lord commanded, "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Luke 6:27, 28).

Those in the abortion camp may not agree with our methodology due to their ideology, but our motives and actions are Biblically based. Our intention was to save babies and the lost. There is no salvation for eternal souls apart from Jesus Christ. Our call as Christians was to speak this truth in love.

During the Civil War and the great polarization that divided our nation, Abraham Lincoln made this statement, "With malice toward none, with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." To friend and foe alike in New Orleans, we must finish the work to end child sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood to achieve a just and lasting peace in our nation. With malice towards none and with charity for all, OSA was, is, and will be committed to end the America Holocaust.