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Over the
years she has taken the following actions to shut down the ministry: 1)
Hired a private investigator to videotape the ministry and skateboarding
activities; 2) Telephoned the police on numerous occasions to make false
allegations of alcohol and drug use, as well as to complain about the
noise; 3) Complained to code compliance officers leading to threats of
arrest and citations for operating a "church without a permit" and excess
noise; Filed suit in Superior Court in Riverside; and in this latest
round, called City Councilmembers and convinced them to unleash the power
of the City against the Ranch. The result of the code compliance
efforts culminated in a search warrant which was executed in November
2001. Fire code officers, building and safety officers, and health
officials went over the property with a fine tooth comb and came up we a
few dozen violations. About half of those violations will be dismissed if
the City Council, sitting as a "quasi-judicial" body finds that the
skateboard use is legal. The City officers spent two hours and 45 minutes
last week presenting their case in laborious detail. Everything from using
extension cords and owning a barbecue to building skate ramps without a
permit was presented. The property housed some 30 goats (it has been an
animal farm for over thirty years) and this was presented as a violation.
What can be said to a City Council in
defense of the activities at the Ranch? That was my problem last week. The
answer is: private recreational activities for residents and their guests
is an exception to the land use code of the City; talking, playing music
and singing about God is protected activity in the City of Moreno Valley.
All of the construction was done with the intent of complying with the
building and safety code under exceptions to the necessity for permits.
For a time in 2000 I lived on The Ranch.
It is a creepy feeling to wonder whether police officers are going to
invade your home and your prayer meeting! We are not used to this in
America. On one particular night seven police cars containing officers and
1 dog came to investigate a "band night".
We don't know what the outcome of the
hearing will be. We may end up at the door of the Supreme Court. We have
prayed. Karen wonders if God will prove stronger than the old-boy network.
I wonder if the City Council will realize the political and moral
ramifications of their actions.
We knew that opposition to the ministry
was a good sign. One doesn't have to be a fan of Frank Peretti's books to
know that there is a spiritual battle. When God's work is being done, the
enemy will oppose it. In the past two years Marv and Karen have ministered
to hundreds of teenagers. Along with their team, they have distributed
about 3000 New Testaments to souls who have come forward during an altar
call. They have also been libeled, assaulted and falsely accused.
| Have you checked your opposition lately?
When Marv went to the City offices to
apply for the plot plan permit, the fees were $4,000. Any contribution
to the fund will help. You can use the Amazon honor system to
contribute.
You can help the Ranch by using the paypal button to make a $5.00
contribution. |
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Previous articles about the ministry, including last year's update can be
found here:
If you build it they will come, part 1
If you build it they will come, part 2
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