What is the CRAVE Crusade? You must be present to win.

CRAVE Crusade is coming into Portsmouth, Ohio Spartan Stadium on June 23, 2012. The event, with its theme "Breaking the Chains of Addiction," will start at 7:00 P.M. Admission is free.

The schedule includes the following:

Evangelist Danny VanGundy, with "To Hell and Back: One Man's Story,"
Special Musical Guest: God's Dirt, and
$500 Giveaway on the night of the event

Christians Reviving America's ValuEs (CRAVE) is a National Not-for-Profit (501c3) Organization founded by Pastor Don Swarthout, who likes to say "We CRAVE Revival in our Churches and the Restoration of Godly Principles in America." Swarthout is president of The Gospel Truth Center,
and founder and president of a gospel radio show on VOTL Radio. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky.

According to Swarthout, CRAVE's goal is to defend the Constitution both in the court system and the everyday lives of the American people. He claims to be responsible for all important decisions of the organization.

CRAVE reportedly writes 1.5 Million letters to Christians in America every year to keep them informed about  the ACLU, abortionists and homosexuals.   The cost of the program is about $600,000 per year.


Pastor Swarthout says CRAVE writes these Christians to inform them about how the Supreme Court and others are stealing their American rights.

The ACLU

Swarthout believes the ACLU is confused. "Let's get it right, you are either for the criminals or you are for the law abiding citizens of America. Terrorists are criminals and so are illegal aliens for that matter," claims Swarthout. He continues, "Apparently the ACLU is more interested in protecting the rights of terrorists and illegal aliens than they are in protecting the rights of law abiding citizens."

CRAVE has called on Congress to hold immediate hearings to expose the ACLU's use of taxpayer money to fund its extremist agenda, and pass legislation to stop this practice at once.

Abortion

Christians Reviving America's Values has also long been a supporter of the Pro Life Movement. The organization cites Genesis 1:28 for support: "God's command to Adam and Eve was to 'be fruitful and multiply; to fill the earth and subdue it.'"

Swarthout says, "It is very clear that God's design for procreation demanded the marriage of one man and one woman. From this sanctified marriage come children who are born into a secure home with a father and a mother to love and teach them how to become healthy, productive and responsible citizens."

Homosexuality

Christians Reviving America's Values supports "Godly marriage as being between one man and one woman. The organization believes American society has also been based upon that belief. CRAVE says, "In the early days of America the Biblical view for God's intentions  are found in Genesis 2:24."

Explaining its stance, CRAVE explains, "Genesis 2:24 says, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.' Jesus also told us that marriage is an institution designed by God to be a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman."

Terrorism

Don Swarthout says,"With the current, very real, terrorist threat to the New York Subway System, the truth could not be any more obvious. Terrorists and all others who do not respect the American way of life must be stopped in order to protect the life styles of law abiding American citizens."


Swarthout continues, "We also need to wake up to the fact that Islamic Muslims want to come into our nation and to kill us. People keep talking about the peaceful Muslims, but so far I have not met any of Muslims who are peaceful. The Muslims are involved in every war being fought anywhere in the world right now. It is time for America to wake up to the GRAVE DANGER that the Muslim World is presenting to the United States of America and to the world in general."

Illegal Immigration


CRAVE contacted every Senator in the United States to inform them that it stands for the completion of a wall, the fining of employers and the closing of American borders to illegal aliens and to terrorists.

Christians Reviving America's ValuEs  has been active in fighting the continuation of a policy of amnesty and disinterest toward the southern border of the United States by the government. Don Swarthout has been making the case that "if we don't stop this illegal immigration, the cost of welfare, the prison system, education and hospitalization for illegal aliens will continue to erode away the financial well being of the United States."

Oprah Winfrey

Swarthout claims on her television show Oprah Winfrey has been pushing a new book by Eckhart Tolle called A New Earth and taken up preaching as a new pastime. Swarthout believes Oprah has determined in her own "mixed-up mind" there are millions of ways to get to heaven.

Swarthout says, "Oprah Winfrey has in reality just exposed her own lack of understanding about the God of Christianity. God may be a God of love, but he is also a God of justice and judgment."

Swarthout warns,"The point is there are millions upon millions of Christians in the United States who thoroughly believe what Jesus taught in the Bible and for Oprah to come out against that teaching so strongly is simply appalling. Oprah should really stop to think before she goes off preaching her own unfounded beliefs to the world on her show."

Rebecca Chadwick, a news contributor for CRAVE says, "All cults share the same premise; they misrepresent the nature of God. Let's pray for Oprah and Tolle... and all those who are lost."

My Bottom Line

Swarthout on the Portsmouth "Breaking the Chains of Addiction" event: 

"I am proud to announce the first CRAVE Crusade will be held in Spartan Stadium in Portsmouth, Ohio, on June 23, 2012. I have put in place a very strong team to go into Portsmouth to give this city hope with the gospel. CRAVE Crusade will go into Spartan Stadium on June 23rd with the potential to minister to eight thousand people in one night of hope. And our goal will be to hold numerous Crusades in different locations across the nation."

Is Pastor Don Swarthout coming to town to help deliver the area from drug abuse? Or, is Swarthout coming to town to deliver his own agenda? Although I hope Danny VanGundy helps the movement of eliminating drug abuse, I fear a guise, a larger agenda by Swarthout.

I agree with some things Swarthout preaches; however, I cannot commit to his total platform. It bothers me he is the sole policymaker of CRAVE. His interpretations of the Bible and all its principles rule his organization. To me, he seems extremely judgmental, and, at times, illogical.

The finest Christian ministers I have ever met do not claim to be masters of politics, the law, and sensitive societal issues. Instead, they continually pray and seek guidance from God in most temporal matters. Muslims, the Supreme Court, the ACLU, and Oprah occupy very little of my Christian concerns. I do believe Christians should get involved in correcting earthly wrongs, but I respect their personal views as it relates to their different political and social beliefs.

I have adjusted many of my views with the times, and I don't think God is damning me to hell for learning new understandings of peace and love. I do not hate Muslims. I am not against gay marriage. I believe abortion, in certain circumstances, is the right of the mother. I continue to have faith in our laws, in our court system and in our judges. I think many illegal aliens seek freedom because of horrible corruption and conditions across the border. (And, I'm pretty sure I would try to leave too.) And, I certainly, with all my heart, believe that Oprah Winfrey has done more good for humankind in her life than a legion of Pastor Don Swarthouts will ever do.

One last comment -- Why is there a $500 giveaway on the night of the crusade? Could it be that CRAVE has to offer a bribe or an enticement to attract a crowd seeking salvation? I certainly hope some nonCRAVER doesn't win the cash and spend it on unholy material possessions. Why not give the money to local drug prevention efforts or to rehabilitation groups in the county? I guess I'm just not at the right stage of my spiritual life to understand the salvation monetary door prize.