The Murch Family joined in Life Tour Around Rockford in northern Illinois from October 31st to November 3rd, 2002. We were invited to the Tour by Evangelist Adrian Horien and his associate Bill Landerholm. Adrian has toured with us before, most recently during the Virginia Show the Truth Tour 2002. The tour consisted of stand-outs, literature distribution, street-preaching and abortuary and church pickets. Due to its proximity to Wisconsin, several notable anti-abortion missionaries were in attendance during the Tour. Pastor Matt Trewhella, director of Missionaries to the Preborn, Drew Heiss, MTP Missionary and street preacher, and Pastor Ralph Ovadal, director of Wisconsin Christians United were among those in attendance.

We line up in front of this abortuary which used to be a Public School. The owner of the property lives in the building and broadcast through a loudspeaker at us. He threatened us with arrest several times. He would broadcast a local radio station through the speaker at the back, so that women could not hear the sidewalk counselors. At right: Beverly attempts to get the attention of a couple going in to kill their child. We did get several to come over and take literature, and this couple did in fact leave without getting an abortion. We pray that it was a true save and that this child will live.

At Left, a couple argues with Dan Holman. The woman complained that she was against abortion, but as usual, kids should not have to look at this. She did not have any children herself. Her argument seemed to be that if it makes you sad to look at it, it should not be shown. Dan suggested that if it made her that upset, she should be involved in doing something to stop it, rather than simply criticizing those who do. Her response was typical of what we hear from "pro-lifers" all the time. At right, Murch kids prepare to pack up after an stand-out at a busy intersection in front of a hospital that grants the local abortionist practicing privileges.

I have written unto you, young men , because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14

Sam was arrested standing approximately where the man with the banner is standing in photo at right. He was charged with "obstructing traffic" even though he only approached cars when the light was red, as is our established practice. The truck was obstructing traffic such that cars had to move into the next lane to avoid him, but when that was pointed out to police, they refused to ticket the truck. Guess we know what the agenda was there, eh?

Sam Murch went through his Rite Of Passage for all street preachers in America--he was arrested at this stop in the small town of Belvidere, Illinois. Adrian Horien had contacted the Chief of Police, the City Attorney and the Mayor, letting them know that we were coming, what we would be doing and how long we would be there. The Chief called back Adrian on the phone, thanked him for the "heads-up" and said that he had no problem with our plans. But on the site, a pro-abort sergeant with an obvious penchant for excessive donut intake, had other plans. Sam Murch was handing out literature to cars as the were stopped at the red light. All the Murch kids have been well-trained to be done handing out literature before the light turns green again, so that traffic is not obstructed. Most police departments have no problem with this, or if they do, they give a warning that they would not allow it.

Left: Adrian Horien on the street in Belvidere. Right: Jesse Murch (12) on the opposite corner. Temps this week were generally in the low 30's with a stiff breeze. The Murches tried to come prepared for the weather change, but it was stunning nonetheless!

This officer walked up to Sam without warning, asked his age, and immediately put him under arrest and put him in the squad car in handcuffs! Sam had no idea what he had been arrested for. The sergeant came to Bruce and told him he would have to come down to the station and that Sam would be released to him. Bruce pointed out to the extremely hostile sergeant that we had given them the courtesy of a letter telling them what we would be doing, and why didn't the police give us the courtesy of a warning that they didn't like something we were doing, or that it violated some ordinance? The sergeant said that we had written that we would "comply with all laws". He said "You said you would comply with all laws, and you didn't. There's consequences for breaking the law".

Contact has been made with the Chief of Police who had no idea until well after the fact that anything had happened. Charges were dropped a couple of weeks later, after the Thomas More Legal Defense team had offered to defend Sam in court.

WE ARE PROUD OF HIM!

The high school stops were particularly effective. Twice we went to High Schools as they were letting out for the day. At one school, we encountered hundreds of students on foot and had great opportunities to witness for the babies and for chastity and for the gospel. The Public High School is a vast moral wasteland, and it was discouraging to know that these kids were America's future. That's why it is so very important to confront them with the truth before their behaviors are thoroughly engrained as adults.

Beverly Murch and the rest of the Murch Clan show the truth to busloads of kids leaving the high school. Several of the teenagers in our group approach students as they leave on foot. Many of them were very open to the message. Teenagers are accustomed to graphic messages through the movies they watch and the video games they play. These pictures had a profound impact on many of them.

This highway stop was in front of the "Peace Park", a United Nations tribute. We held up our aborted baby pictures along with signs that read "There is Peace in Christ". Of course, there were the usual complaints. At right, folks stop to tell Beverly Murch how horrible it is that she has her young children out seeing and holding the pictures.

The tour would not have been complete without going to the home of the local abortionist, Richard Ragsdale. This was the sight of his beautiful new home, bought with blood money. At left, Dan Holman asks the Big Question that offends all that read it. At right, Dan & Donna's van is parked in front of Ragsdale's house as the tour circles around the block.

Finally, we wrapped the tour up with a church picket. This was a Saturday evening service at a "seeker-friendly" church. They admit unrepentant sodomites and baby-killers with no problem. At left, Adrian speaks with one of the associates. At right, Chuck Spingola speaks with a woman who asserts that it is wrong to bar unrepentant practitioners of sin from church, in spite of the fact that the Apostle Paul demands exactly that of the Church in Corinth. The woman at right told Bruce, "A homosexual or abortionist attending my church doesn't affect my worship of God any". Thus is the way of the American Christian Church. I fear there is nothing to look forward to but judgment.

This was an excellent tour. We want to thank Evangelist Adrian Horien for taking care of the brake job on our van when they failed early in the tour; and his wife Fiona and Bill Landerholm's wife for preparing meals for the missionaries every day of the tour, and for Bill and Linda Landerholm for opening their home to the Murch family and making sure that every need was met. We have come to think of the folks that we tour with as true family. The hospitality shown by those co-laborers in the work was truly second to none. We look forward to working with them again.

Once again, the Word of God has gone forth; Public wickedness has been rebuked; The Gospel has been preached; The Church has been called to account and Lives have been saved.

If you are able to help out the Murch Family to continue the Work, please send your gift to:

Beverly Murch, PO Box 68, Red House, VA 23963

God Bless You!