CWA Presence at the Presidential Debate     10/2/2008
By Leslie Smith

Members of Concerned Women for America (CWA) travelled to Oxford, Mississippi, on September 26, 2008, to attend the presidential debate. Hosted by the University of Mississippi, this event was the first of three debates featuring Presidential Candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.

As preparations began for the debate, crowds of people congregated on the Ole Miss campus. Likewise, a multitude of information booths sprang forth-ready to educate those who were waiting anxiously to hear two men plead their case to lead our country for the next four years.

Norma Seifert, CWA Board Member and Home Team Captain for CWA of Tennessee, organized her own information table to represent CWA outside of the event. Norma was accompanied by her husband, Bob, and two ladies from her God and Country Ministry at church. These prayer warriors shared God's truth with countless people that day, many of them hostile to our cause.

Surrounded by liberals, radicals, and fringe leftist groups, the CWA table was the only Christian group present that advocated Biblical principles and conservative policies. With a growing sense of foreboding, the group assessed their surroundings and quietly resolved to speak the truth in love to those around them, regardless of the negative attention they might receive.

Sandra Oates and Billie Cash, a Christian author and speaker, accompanied Norma to the debate. As they passed out literature, many people stopped to learn more about CWA and our core issues. While some were genuinely curious, others openly ridiculed the volunteers, taking brochures with the intent of using them to create a stronger defense of abortion. Some chose to ignore the CWA volunteers, shooting disdainful looks in their direction as they walked past the booth. Billie says, "God baptized me into the true revelation of a culture gone far from godliness or from righteousness, a culture that had no plumb line. It was a devastating moment I shall not forget."

While at the CWA information table, Billie was singled out and challenged by a young man who wanted to know why there wasn't a brochure available to explain our position on war and poverty. Though Billie explained that the Bible clearly states that there will be wars and rumors of wars and that Jesus taught us that the poor will always be with us, the young man refused to accept Billie's Biblical worldview as a legitimate argument. Ultimately, the young man began to demean the Christian faith and verbally attack Billie for professing her faith in God's sovereignty. She lovingly, yet firmly, explained that, as an American, she was free to have a Christian worldview.

After a lengthy debate with the young man, Billie realized that they were at a stalemate. To provide a concrete end to the discussion, Billie stated, "Son, you are in your twenties, I am in my sixties. Our military career caused me to cry out to God for help - to learn how to live and raise my children with a husband gone in defense of this nation. I found the answer in the Word of God. It works. It is Truth.

"You need to know that there are thousands in America who, like me, would categorize themselves as social and religious conservative people who will vote the Bible. We will not be silenced, and we will be voting. Good day."

Emotionally drained and weary after her interaction with this young man, Billie retreated into a nearby building to pray. She says, "That encounter alone awakened within me a profound awareness of the forces of darkness that the enemy of our souls has used to dupe radical men and women, destroy the godly, and ultimately, this country in the election!"

Though the day was filled with encounters with men and women who criticized and ridiculed the CWA members for their beliefs, there were also words of encouragement and support from passersby. Norma shares, "Many people, students and adults, came up and thanked us for being there." Like-minded men and women were relieved to see their beliefs represented by an organization amidst a multitude of booths were their faith would be rejected.

All those sitting at the CWA table that day felt God's presence and providence. Norma notes, "If ever I have experienced the power of God, it was there. With my quiet way of expressing words, I was absolutely stunned at the volume of knowledge and information which came forth out of my mouth."

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

- Romans 13:1

To learn more about Billie and her ministry, please visit www.billiecash.com.

To get involved or to learn more about CWA in Tennessee, go to Tennessee.cwfa.org. If you would like to get involved with one of our other fine state organizations, please visit the CWA in the States site.

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