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RELIGION
Evangelical powerInfluential evangelist Ted Haggard
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The Indiana native with a folksy style has a wealth of research and historical references and anecdotes to back up opinions on an array of subjects. Used to a broader audience than his congregation, he saves the insider language of Bible chapter and verse for the flock.
He said he has been invited to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on his next visit to the United States. In an earlier meeting, they talked about the wall Israel is building along its West Bank border, which will curtail traffic from the Palestinian territories: "I told him walls work, but it's got to be on your own land."
News commentators seek him for perspective on issues of the day. Last Friday, Fox News talk show host Bill O'Reilly invited Haggard and a Washington, D.C., rabbi to talk about Pope John Paul II. They applauded the late pope's overtures to Jewish leaders.
After he recently met with evangelical Christian leaders in France, Haggard said: "I told the president that he needs to meet with evangelical churches in Europe. Evangelicalism is exploding worldwide," but after burgeoning for the past 30 years, "it's plateauing in America," he said.
It's a form of Christianity that rejects the structured liturgies and bureaucracies of historic, mainline churches in favor of more personal, spontaneous expressions of faith. The definition of an evangelical, Haggard said, is a person who:
» "Believes the Bible is the word of God.» "Has a high view of Jesus, as savior and lord.
» "And you must be born again, must have a conversion experience."
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The Washington, D.C.-based organization has taken flack from some evangelical elements who see its 2004 policy statement favoring activism to promote global religious and political freedom, human rights and protection of the environment as getting dangerously close to liberalism and "globalism."
Haggard takes some personal flack, too, such as e-mail coming in this week scolding him for that recent favorable television commentary about the pope. Criticism crescendoed when, after the terrorism of September 2001, he dared to offer support for the Muslim and Jewish communities in Colorado Springs.
"Christians are responsible to protect everybody," not just Christians, he said.
"Unfortunately, some people draw their security by identifying themselves by who they hate. I speak for more evangelicals than any other person. We do not hate. We offer hope and life."
He added: "We believe fundamentally that people of strength should use it for those who can't help themselves. It is not okay to stand by passively and watch tyranny prevail."
Haggard did not intend to linger for an island vacation after his last talk this morning on "Developing Love as a Force in Your Church."
No matter where the president of the National Association of Evangelicals travels during the week, the pastor of New Life Church gets back to preach to his Colorado Springs flock.
"I'm always home Sundays," he said.
Ministers and members of more than 90 Hawaii church congregations attended the Hawaiian Islands Ministries Honolulu 2005 conference, which ends this afternoon at the Hawaii Convention Center.
The three-day conference offered 40 speakers presenting about 100 seminars on spiritual, inspirational and practical topics, as well as praise and worship sessions attended by about 5,000 people. Nationally known Christian speakers included Jim Burns, Craig Gross, Ted Haggard, Archibald Hart, John Ortberg, Bob Russell, John Vawter, Bruce Wilkinson, Bunny Wilson and John Yates.
It was the 17th year of the assembly, which was founded by the Rev. Dan Chun, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, and his wife, Pam, to provide educational and inspirational opportunities for local church people.