Awaken 2020
The following are the notes to the discussion found at this link (https://www.facebook.com/tammy.cheetham.77/videos/793111091188601/) for anyone who would like to study the subject more in depth.
Yes, there have been many posts and a lot of information going out concerning the Awaken 2020 event that is being held this weekend at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Since there was so much information out there we didn’t see the need to do a discussion about it. But, then, this morning I discovered that Lou Engle is not speaking at this event as previously scheduled.
What is odd is that Lou Engle was clearly part of the Awaken 2020 event at one time according to posters and several articles, but as it turns out he has not been, and will not be, in attendance.Yesterday, which was the opening day of the event, Charisma news ran a short article that said: “Today Kanye West, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs and many more will speak at Awaken 2020, a sold-out event at the Sun Devil Stadium.” (https://www.charismanews.com/us/79594-watch-live-lou-engle-cindy-jacobs-kanye-west-and-more-speak-at-awaken-2020)
One site (https://www.evensi.us/awaken-2020-devil-football-stadium/312203565) promoting the event with a link to purchase tickets said this: “We have gathered some of the most relevant and influential generals of our time together on one stage for one day to press in for the demonstration of the Kingdom of God. Partnering with the AWAKEN2020 team we have Lou Engle, Daniel Kolenda, David Herzog, Stephanie Herzog, Guillermo Maldonado, Cindy Jacobs and Jerame Nelson as well as Brian"Head" Welch and several others. THIS EVENT CAN NOT BE MISSED!!!”
But, the most telling article (http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=23020) is one found on the Elijah List that basically gives the same information as I just read, but also has a video clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn4Rb9RaP_I&feature=youtu.be) of Lou Engle speaking and walking in the empty stadium itself, referencing the Jesus people movement of the 70s and saying that we need another great awakening. In addition, he has this to say (sister Tammy could you play these few seconds please)…2:07 to 2:39
But, what is really interesting based on what I am about to read is that David Herzog, the organizer of the event also speaks in this video.
So, even though these and many other announcements have been made including Lou Engle in the event, David Herzog, the event's organizer, has released this press statement:
"AWAKEN 2020 would like to emphasize that our message is of Love and Unity. As an organization, and with some recent press coming out to the contrary, we felt it important to state the following: (So, the issue has something to do with people thinking they do not promote love and unity and the inclusion of Lou Engle makes people think this because of what he says next:
Despite some media outlets wrongly printing certain associations to our event, we want to make it specifically clear that: Lou Engle is not affiliated with, nor is he an organizer or partner of, or a speaker at Awaken 2020.
(Now, sister Tammy, does that make any sense at all especially according to the statements on the video? To be clear that video we just heard was from the Awaken 2020 channel itself. It wasn’t pieced together and played by anyone else).
Continuing with the press statement: In addition, Awaken 2020 invited Kanye West to headline our Awaken 2020 event because we believe God has given Kanye a powerful platform to share his personal testimony with the world and to showcase the love, grace, and redeeming power of God by lifting up the name of Jesus. Like Kanye, Awaken 2020 has no place for affiliation of hate or harm toward any other person.
If any of our past potential or current event participants, speakers, and collaborators were affiliated with any such harmful platforms in any way or at any time, we do not support any view points as such. Awaken 2020 is a new opportunity for the Christian community to reset and align its message with respect for the people, especially the youth who are experiencing a time of revival and renewal in the wake of the new works of Kanye West and The Sunday Service Collective."
And, that press release was signed, David Herzog Organizer, Awaken 2020 (http://www.awaken2020.com/)
Now, we cannot say for sure, but it is quite possible that Lou Engle was removed from the list of speakers because of his past stance on homosexuality as we read in this article from Newsweek: (https://www.newsweek.com/kanye-west-sunday-service-awaken-2020-evangelical-event-anti-lgbtq-1482883)
“Lou Engle, who has voiced support for Ugandan lawmaker's attempts to introduce anti-homosexuality laws which would include the death penalty, was also due to headline (speaking of this event), but according to AZ Central, Engle has been removed from the list of speakers.
KiMi Robinson, a reporter at AZ Central, tweeted: "Lou Engle will no longer be speaking at Awaken 2020. Organizers have been promoting Engle's participation for months and are now calling/emailing outlets to insist 'there is no basis or accurate reporting' to his involvement."
There have been several articles and many tweets discussing the anti-LGBTQ flavor of the event. For example:
"Among other controversies that are tied to this event, just know that if you attend @awaken_2020 that you will be supporting these anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-woman platforms," one Twitter user posted. (https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2020/01/10/kanye-west-awaken-2020-tempe-what-to-know/4422668002/)
We do know that Engle wasn’t removed from the list of speakers because of any issues with Kanye West being added to the lineup because Engle has stated this in an interview with conservative site“Western Journal”: "We believe Kanye is a sign to this nation that in a moment, thousands and thousands can be swept into the kingdom when [God] converts key people and their voices will be like thunder." (https://www.newsweek.com/kanye-west-sunday-service-awaken-2020-evangelical-event-anti-lgbtq-1482883)
Now, while it is quite possible that Engle was removed due to his stance on homosexuality we also know that at least two other speakers, Guillermo Maldonado and Cindy Jacobs, have also spoken out against homosexuality (https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-kanye-west-anti-lgbtq-crusaders-prayer-rally-awaken-2020-20200115-h5vnq7albfa7td4443naerfesi-story.html) so we are not saying this is the reason 100%.
But, it is interesting to note that on Jan. 15, just three days before the event was to begin that an article entitled "Freedom! You Said You Would Deliver Us" by Lou Engle was published on the Elijah List. (https://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=23102)
Lou Engle had this to say: “I was sent a book by Jeffrey McCall telling his life story from a transgender life into freedom in Christ. He is leading a movement called "Freedom March." Two of the amazing leaders in this movement were young men who were shot at the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. They survived and encountered the love and power of Christ. They are radiant young men proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On 4/18/2020, once gay movements are uniting together for the Freedom March in Boston. This is not an angry protest, but a public testimony of love and freedom. I'm going to walk with my friends in Boston, and I am calling the Body of Christ to walk with them at the Freedom March.
What if mothers and fathers who are praying for their sons and daughters would come and unite in prayer together for 100,000 LGBTQ? After the Freedom March is held during the day, a prayer and freedom gathering will be held in Boston on the evening of April 18th.
Let's unite together and dare to believe for the manifestation of Jesus' ministry of freedom in New England and America.”
Now, what we would like to stress is that both directions are wrong here. David Herzog saying they want to stress love and unity which always means downplaying sin and repentance of it. He says Awaken 2020 is a new opportunity for the Christian community to reset and align its message with respect for the people, and we are not saying to disrespect people, but everything I have heard from the false churches today about respect means tolerating the lifestyles of sinful men and women.
But, then Lou Engle’s idea to join with someone who thinks having a Freedom March is going to truly set those bound by homosexuality free is also wrong and especially his statement about uniting which is a huge red flag.
So, we just wanted to bring this information out and I am sure there will be more information forthcoming, but we pray people will not get caught up in any of the movements, but would rather draw close to Jesus and stay in the Word.
The following are the notes to the discussion found at this link (https://www.facebook.com/tammy.cheetham.77/videos/793111091188601/) for anyone who would like to study the subject more in depth.
Yes, there have been many posts and a lot of information going out concerning the Awaken 2020 event that is being held this weekend at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Since there was so much information out there we didn’t see the need to do a discussion about it. But, then, this morning I discovered that Lou Engle is not speaking at this event as previously scheduled.
What is odd is that Lou Engle was clearly part of the Awaken 2020 event at one time according to posters and several articles, but as it turns out he has not been, and will not be, in attendance.Yesterday, which was the opening day of the event, Charisma news ran a short article that said: “Today Kanye West, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs and many more will speak at Awaken 2020, a sold-out event at the Sun Devil Stadium.” (https://www.charismanews.com/us/79594-watch-live-lou-engle-cindy-jacobs-kanye-west-and-more-speak-at-awaken-2020)
One site (https://www.evensi.us/awaken-2020-devil-football-stadium/312203565) promoting the event with a link to purchase tickets said this: “We have gathered some of the most relevant and influential generals of our time together on one stage for one day to press in for the demonstration of the Kingdom of God. Partnering with the AWAKEN2020 team we have Lou Engle, Daniel Kolenda, David Herzog, Stephanie Herzog, Guillermo Maldonado, Cindy Jacobs and Jerame Nelson as well as Brian"Head" Welch and several others. THIS EVENT CAN NOT BE MISSED!!!”
But, the most telling article (http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=23020) is one found on the Elijah List that basically gives the same information as I just read, but also has a video clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn4Rb9RaP_I&feature=youtu.be) of Lou Engle speaking and walking in the empty stadium itself, referencing the Jesus people movement of the 70s and saying that we need another great awakening. In addition, he has this to say (sister Tammy could you play these few seconds please)…2:07 to 2:39
But, what is really interesting based on what I am about to read is that David Herzog, the organizer of the event also speaks in this video.
So, even though these and many other announcements have been made including Lou Engle in the event, David Herzog, the event's organizer, has released this press statement:
"AWAKEN 2020 would like to emphasize that our message is of Love and Unity. As an organization, and with some recent press coming out to the contrary, we felt it important to state the following: (So, the issue has something to do with people thinking they do not promote love and unity and the inclusion of Lou Engle makes people think this because of what he says next:
Despite some media outlets wrongly printing certain associations to our event, we want to make it specifically clear that: Lou Engle is not affiliated with, nor is he an organizer or partner of, or a speaker at Awaken 2020.
(Now, sister Tammy, does that make any sense at all especially according to the statements on the video? To be clear that video we just heard was from the Awaken 2020 channel itself. It wasn’t pieced together and played by anyone else).
Continuing with the press statement: In addition, Awaken 2020 invited Kanye West to headline our Awaken 2020 event because we believe God has given Kanye a powerful platform to share his personal testimony with the world and to showcase the love, grace, and redeeming power of God by lifting up the name of Jesus. Like Kanye, Awaken 2020 has no place for affiliation of hate or harm toward any other person.
If any of our past potential or current event participants, speakers, and collaborators were affiliated with any such harmful platforms in any way or at any time, we do not support any view points as such. Awaken 2020 is a new opportunity for the Christian community to reset and align its message with respect for the people, especially the youth who are experiencing a time of revival and renewal in the wake of the new works of Kanye West and The Sunday Service Collective."
And, that press release was signed, David Herzog Organizer, Awaken 2020 (http://www.awaken2020.com/)
Now, we cannot say for sure, but it is quite possible that Lou Engle was removed from the list of speakers because of his past stance on homosexuality as we read in this article from Newsweek: (https://www.newsweek.com/kanye-west-sunday-service-awaken-2020-evangelical-event-anti-lgbtq-1482883)
“Lou Engle, who has voiced support for Ugandan lawmaker's attempts to introduce anti-homosexuality laws which would include the death penalty, was also due to headline (speaking of this event), but according to AZ Central, Engle has been removed from the list of speakers.
KiMi Robinson, a reporter at AZ Central, tweeted: "Lou Engle will no longer be speaking at Awaken 2020. Organizers have been promoting Engle's participation for months and are now calling/emailing outlets to insist 'there is no basis or accurate reporting' to his involvement."
There have been several articles and many tweets discussing the anti-LGBTQ flavor of the event. For example:
"Among other controversies that are tied to this event, just know that if you attend @awaken_2020 that you will be supporting these anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-woman platforms," one Twitter user posted. (https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2020/01/10/kanye-west-awaken-2020-tempe-what-to-know/4422668002/)
We do know that Engle wasn’t removed from the list of speakers because of any issues with Kanye West being added to the lineup because Engle has stated this in an interview with conservative site“Western Journal”: "We believe Kanye is a sign to this nation that in a moment, thousands and thousands can be swept into the kingdom when [God] converts key people and their voices will be like thunder." (https://www.newsweek.com/kanye-west-sunday-service-awaken-2020-evangelical-event-anti-lgbtq-1482883)
Now, while it is quite possible that Engle was removed due to his stance on homosexuality we also know that at least two other speakers, Guillermo Maldonado and Cindy Jacobs, have also spoken out against homosexuality (https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-kanye-west-anti-lgbtq-crusaders-prayer-rally-awaken-2020-20200115-h5vnq7albfa7td4443naerfesi-story.html) so we are not saying this is the reason 100%.
But, it is interesting to note that on Jan. 15, just three days before the event was to begin that an article entitled "Freedom! You Said You Would Deliver Us" by Lou Engle was published on the Elijah List. (https://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=23102)
Lou Engle had this to say: “I was sent a book by Jeffrey McCall telling his life story from a transgender life into freedom in Christ. He is leading a movement called "Freedom March." Two of the amazing leaders in this movement were young men who were shot at the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. They survived and encountered the love and power of Christ. They are radiant young men proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On 4/18/2020, once gay movements are uniting together for the Freedom March in Boston. This is not an angry protest, but a public testimony of love and freedom. I'm going to walk with my friends in Boston, and I am calling the Body of Christ to walk with them at the Freedom March.
What if mothers and fathers who are praying for their sons and daughters would come and unite in prayer together for 100,000 LGBTQ? After the Freedom March is held during the day, a prayer and freedom gathering will be held in Boston on the evening of April 18th.
Let's unite together and dare to believe for the manifestation of Jesus' ministry of freedom in New England and America.”
Now, what we would like to stress is that both directions are wrong here. David Herzog saying they want to stress love and unity which always means downplaying sin and repentance of it. He says Awaken 2020 is a new opportunity for the Christian community to reset and align its message with respect for the people, and we are not saying to disrespect people, but everything I have heard from the false churches today about respect means tolerating the lifestyles of sinful men and women.
But, then Lou Engle’s idea to join with someone who thinks having a Freedom March is going to truly set those bound by homosexuality free is also wrong and especially his statement about uniting which is a huge red flag.
So, we just wanted to bring this information out and I am sure there will be more information forthcoming, but we pray people will not get caught up in any of the movements, but would rather draw close to Jesus and stay in the Word.