Tuesday, April 7, 2015 the citizens of Springfield, Missouri, went to the polls to repeal a regressive sexual orientation/gender identity ordinance by 51.4 percent to 48.6 percent. It seemed impossible with a majority of city councilmen, the media, the Chamber of Commerce and the national lesbian gay bisexual transgender advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) backing it with over $250,000. The city council was determined to get this through, even timing the day of the original vote, October 13, 2014 on Columbus Day when every other city office was closed. But against all odds, David defeated Goliath because the church came together and a majority of Springfield citizens voted their values.
If the repeal effort had not been successful, Springfield’s ordinance would have created sexual identify as a protected class, not only allowing biological males to use women’s restrooms/locker rooms, but penalizing those who complained with a $1000 a day fine and jail time up to six months behind bars. HRC has passed similar ordinances in over 250 cities across the country and in Springfield even persuaded a few pastors to be spokesmen as they sought to dominate all media with quotes like “discrimination is always wrong” and “Jesus taught that loving your neighbor as yourself means caring for others’ basic needs.” However, people saw through the spiritual rhetoric to the real issue–an attack against freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
There were many things that led to the successful election.
- Some citizens of Springfield had been attending city council meetings back in 2012 when the city council first tried to pass the ordinance. If it hadn’t been for these watchdogs called Live Free Springfield, the city would have quietly passed the ordinance in 2012.
Calvin Morrow, a General Contract and Founder of Christians United for Political Action, was invited by some already involved to track with them and speak out at city council.- Springfield Citizens United was formed and asked Calvin to be the spokesman for the group, so he started calling the media and making himself available daily to them.
- A notable pastor in the city saw Calvin on TV and called him, which led to a gathering of pastors engaging in the process. Everyone realized there was no hope unless the church got involved. There were only a few churches and no money.
- Mark Gonzales, Ex. Dir. of National Black Robe Regiment (NBRR) who had been tracking these ordinances across the nation, called Calvin and a meeting was set up with 17-18 activists, leaders and pastors. Mark let them know that NBRR was there to help and gave some strategic organizational leadership to the local efforts. Calvin said, “NBRR was a tremendous asset. I don’t think we could have done it without them.”
- A committee made up of Calvin, Dr. John Lilly (physician and chairman for Lock & Smith Foundation) and Michael Tull, businessman and treasurer formed Yes on Question 1.
- Although there was a total media blackout, including the Times Magazine stating Calvin could not be reached for comment after they had spoken to him for 20 minutes on the phone, the committee blogged and used social media to get the message out.
- NBRR sent M.D. Sias to serve the committee on the ground in Springfield. MD’s expertise in social media, databases and using lists for strategic purposes proved a huge asset for the local effort. Calvin said, “M.D. went to 138 churches in one day. At first I found it hard to believe, but he had contacted 138 of the 160 churches in one day! M.D. had knowledge that we needed and brought energy and expertise that we didn’t have.”
- The Catholic Church led by Bishop James V. Johnston of the Springield-Cape Girardeau Diocese engaged. Calvin met with the Diocese lawyer early on and helped them craft a letter for their congregations. The Bishop met with all the priests and then sent a letter to each of the congregations and asked the priests to read it on Resurrection Sunday morning.
- In the final days as the vote neared, an all-African American walk team led by Andrew Shannon served as a visible reminder to voters that this ordinance is an affront to civil rights because there is no comparison to what Blacks have suffered in this nation from slavery to Dred Scott to lynching to segregation.
- Yes on Question 1 delivered 4 x 8 signs around the city, many of which were stolen and vandalized. The damaged marred signs demonstrated to the community where the true lack of tolerance resided.
- A total of 10,000 voter guides were distributed to churches and handed out at the polls, where four candidates that supported repeal were on the ballot. Two of them won bringing the current vote on the city council to 4 to 4. There is an appointment that is up currently for the 9th position, which would break a tie.
Victory did not come easily, but things began to come together as volunteers began to walk blocks, the Family Research Council held a breakfast encouraging pastors to rally their congregations and national organizations like WallBuilders, American Family Association and others emailed their lists to engage in the process.
The momentum shift happened in the last few weeks, which Calvin explained, “During this time, not only did Joni Erickson Tada come to town praying that God would use the weak things of this world to confound the wise and protect religious liberty, but the committee also hosted a time of worship and prayer asking God to raise up more leaders like Pastor John Lindell of James River Church, John Lilly, etc.” Pastor Lindell gave a message to his 9,000-member congregation asking them to demonstrate both compassion and righteous action. The local media reported portions of Pastor Lindell’s sermon out of context to reprint in the newspaper and put on the evening news. There was a huge backlash against him, but he and other pastors in the city stood strong.
Calvin reflected, ““We discovered there are some really strong pastors in this city and we’re starting to network together. The pastors discovered they couldn’t ignore politics especially when politics kicks in your front door.” Calvin said that God has elevated him through this effort so that he can’t go anywhere in the community without being recognized. Pray for him that he will know how to manage the number of requests from people that are pouring in.
The Lord took what the enemy meant for evil in Springfield and turned it into a movement of pastors, businessmen and every-day citizens working together in an ongoing way. NBRR was grateful to be a part of what God began in Springfield and to see so many churches and organizations working together for spiritual and community transformation.
Psalms 112:6 For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. Founder’s Bible article 1 Timothy 4:5, page 1948. Excerpt from Benjamin Harrison: “If you take out of your statutes, your Constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together?”