Friday, November 19, 2010

Arrested for witnessing to Muslims


A pastor in Wichita, Kansas, heads to court today to defend himself against charges involving his efforts to witness for Christ outside a mosque.

Pastor Mark Holick says the incident in late August occurred as members of the Islamic Society of Wichita were marking the holy month of Ramadan. Police were called when Islamists witnessed Holick and 13 others handing out packets that included the Gospel of John, the Book of Romans in English and Arabic, and a DVD with testimonies of former Muslims who have converted to Christianity.

Holick claims he was basically ignored by the arresting officer. "I asked him, 'What am I being charged with?' -- and he wouldn't answer me," the pastor tells OneNewsNow. "And I asked him a second time and I asked him a third time...and neither time would he even respond to me."

Mark Holick (pastor, Spirit One Christian Ctr, Wichita)The Kansas pastor, who was ultimately charged with loitering and failure to disburse, is no stranger to controversy. In 2009 he won a $10,000 judgment after the City of Wichita admitted it had violated his civil rights when he was arrested for witnessing on a public city sidewalk during a homosexual event at a nearby park.

"It's really good for Christians to see what has really happened to our court system," he shares, "because if you haven't gone through it before, you really have no idea what it has become. But I think it's going to be good at trial, regardless of the verdict."

Holick, pastor at Spirit One Christian Center, will defend himself today before the Sedgwick County Municipal Court.

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