Communist tentacles are choking America, first through radical leftist governors and mayors and now through the United States Congress. Pastor Cristian Ionescu survived the oppression of communist Romania and he has some valuable insights to share. His church’s important case is now at the U.S. Supreme Court. Read on. -Mat

STOP THE CREEP OF COMMUNISM from shuttering our churches, silencing God's people and eradicating the rule of law.

Communists, wherever they are, always go after the church first… and the steps they take next will determine the country’s future.

As Senior Pastor of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago, Cristian Ionescu, like many of Elim’s parishioners, emigrated to America after escaping Romania’s brutal Communist regime. And Pastor Ionescu says the playbook the Romanian Communists used against him and his people, is the same now being used by radical governors and mayors in America.

First, they scare you into compliance.

When the COVID crisis began, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church willingly closed, out of an abundance of caution for its parishioners, as well as respecting the “two weeks to flatten the curve” mantra.

But when it became clear that IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker had no intention of allowing churches to fully open, even though liquor stores, abortion clinics and recreational marijuana stores were allowed to operate with no restrictions, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church said NO MORE!

The church went above and beyond the safety measures used by the “essential services” Pritzker had allowed open. But instead of adopting Elim’s safe and sanitary model, Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot attacked the church.

Then they try to incite hatred against you.

Mayor Lightfoot had every single neighbor’s car towed for nine blocks around the church. The neighbors were sent a letter informing them they could not park on the street where they always park because the church refused to close. But instead of generating hatred against the church, neighbors stopped by with encouragement and even donations to keep the church going.

Mayor Lightfoot then sent five marked police cars to block every entrance to Elim’s private parking lot to scare parishioners away. No matter, the parishioners simply parked farther away and walked to the church.

Then they threaten your freedom.

When it became clear the people of Elim would not be frightened away, Mayor Lightfoot charged Pastor Ionescu with two Disorderly Conduct charges, as if this humble pastor were some thug in a bar brawl. But Pastor Cristian’s only “crime” was opening his church with more than 10 people. The church refused to close.

Then they try to talk you into joining their side.

After threatening Pastor Ionescu’s freedom, Mayor Lightfoot demanded a “meeting” with the pastor. But when Pastor Ionescu told the mayor’s office he would attend ONLY if his Liberty Counsel attorney were present, the Mayor cancelled the meeting.

Then they take your property.

Stymied again, Mayor Lightfoot doubled down. The church received an official notice from the Chicago Health Department declaring Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church to be a “nuisance,” and as such the city threatened “Summary Abatement” – a process whereby the city could immediately and without notice SEIZE AND DESTROY ALL CHURCH PROPERTY.

Think about that a moment – a group of peaceful Christians worshipping the Lord within the confines of their own perfectly sanitized and structurally sound building were deemed a nuisance -- for which the city was threatening to bulldoze their church.

And if all that didn’t do the trick, the communists would simply eliminate you. Permanently.

Communism 101: Silencing the church is silencing opposition.

As Liberty Counsel continues to battle communism’s godless and lawless assault on our churches, the socialists entrenched in our Congress have opened another line of attack – political oppression.

Right now, certain members of the U.S. Congress have chosen to impeach private citizen Donald J. Trump, and they also want to silence YOU!

The Constitution and established law are unmistakably clear – ONLY sitting presidents may be impeached. Therefore, this so called “impeachment” is little more than an illegal effort to shame and silence former President Trump.

Make no mistake – if we are silent in the face of this unconstitutional sham trial, the lawless legislators will be emboldened. And, unfortunately, you and I are next!

Please, take a moment RIGHT NOW to fax Congress. Tell them: NO IMPEACHMENT! Select here or the button below.

God and His people are dangerous to communism.

Communism seeks to destroy any authority higher than itself. Therefore, it must eliminate God and silence any who dare champion God and Judeo-Christian values.

In Romania, Pastor Ionescu and many of his parishioners didn’t just see this kind of communist oppression, they LIVED under it. And now, all these years later and here in what is supposed to be a free land, with free people, and a government constitutionally barred from impinging on people’s religious rights – Pastor Ionescu is facing the communists once again. His advice: DON’T BACK DOWN.

Our case representing Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church against Gov. Pritzker is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, as is our California case defending Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry. And we have multiple other federal cases defending religious liberty. This will be a long fight, but we are absolutely committed to persevering to ensure America’s religious freedom remains FREE.

Won’t you help us in that fight? Our legal services are always free thanks to the generosity of supporters like YOU. And our special Challenge Grant will DOUBLE the impact of your donation today.

Even if you’ve already given to help us in this battle before – perhaps even many times -- please take this opportunity to fight for religious freedom TODAY! Thank you and God bless you!

For freedom,

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman

P.S. Don't forget! The 2021 Challenge Grant will DOUBLE THE IMPACT of any donation you make today. Please, give as generously as you can. Select here.

P.P.S. DON’T BACK DOWN! Tell the Senate NO IMPEACHMENT! Select here or the button below.

Prefer a petition? Select here.