The Church at Planned Parenthood in Everett, Wash. is doing something somewhat unconventional in the fight against abortion and Planned Parenthood.
No in your face shouting or displaying explicit pictures of the tragedies that have taken millions of babies. Rather it’s a gathering of Christians worshiping God and using corporate prayer for repentance for America, repentance for the apathetic church and against abortion.
TCAPP is one of several chapters working around the country, meeting once a month at a Planned Parenthood location. They first sprang up in Spokane, Wash., led by Pastor Ken Peters and a leadership team, including Pastor Mike Satterfield.
“This is not a protest,” said Satterfield. “The church has done a moderately good job in the legislative part of this. But we have not done a good job of going to Jesus through prayer corporately and worshipping, which is a powerful weapon. We don’t think of worship as warfare.”
Ephesians explained we certainly are engaged in a war. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
There is opposition on earth as well, although the group hasn’t dealt with viciousness as much as chapters in the eastern part of the state.
“They show up drown us out with their music and shout us down when we try to speak. When a pastor tries to talk, their vehemence goes through the roof. Women entering Planned Parenthood are put off by protesters on both sides. We try to stay on the opposite corner and intersection from them. Planned Parenthood has become frustrated with their own pro-abortion protesters.”
People do oppose the ministry on social media. One posted on Facebook, “People in a silent supportive demonstration in support of Planned Parenthood we’re rudely accosted by people attending your Fake Church. Your church service is empowering and promoting hate.” Another demurred “Fascist, hateful Christians with no respect for women, no understanding of medical science, zealots with too much time on their hands. Just absolutely evil people.”
When asked about if any disputes with the city emerged regarding the use of public sidewalks for their services — the church partnered with Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) to ensure their rights aren’t violated and to navigate the relationship with the city.
“We want to do everything to obey the laws and statutes of the city, up until it infringes on our First Amendment Rights,” said Satterfield.
TCAPP chapters are growing. Currently, they’re located in Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Chicago. Satterfield encouraged people and pastors who want to start one in their community to reach out to him.
“This is the piece of the church that has been missing for a long time,” he said. “We missed the call of the Scriptures to worship Jesus and to pray as the Body of Christ together and really coming against this. If I can encourage this, replicate this, multiply it somewhere else, I am more than happy to do that.”
-Written by Corine Gatti-Santillo