I Met a Hero

by Kim Gracelyn Swartz

 

 

I met a hero recently.  His story was eye-opening, chilling, inspiring, and motivational. Mark Houck of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania is a ‘ministry’ man.  His heart is of and for the Lord, King Jesus, first and foremost. He is a father of seven, husband, and ministry director to save the pre-born, to fight against pornography and to build godly men for the work of The Kingdom.

Mr. Houck’s story made the national news.  He stood against the INJUSTICE administered by the federal Department of Justice whose budget was $27.5 BILLION last year to harass and abuse the simplest of cases based on false charges of violation of the FACE Act and a misdemeanor assault charge of Mr. Houck’s actions to protect his 12 year old son from a 42 year old man.  This all occurred as he and his son simply prayed outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, which the two committed to do weekly.

His story is one that sent chills through me.  I have watched as our government has been taking a slow turn for decades, but under the current administration – it is on a fast track to make examples of the citizens who do not tow their ideological lines.  We have watched in total disbelief since 2021, the unprecedented acceptance and promotion of violent thugs raiding and pillaging small businesses, illegals murdering, raping and harassing women, children, the elderly and local law enforcement officers. Drugs are killing our communities and the DOJ sends the FBI to a minister’s home at 6 a.m. with battering ram ready to bust in the door if need be.

Who would have reacted to such discrimination and threat to home and family with such a controlled manner in the face of a scene of lightbars flashing, FBI agents pounding on the door, two officers outfitted in SWAT gear, rifles in hand – except for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  Houck’s wife and seven children were awakened from their restful sleep at 6 a.m., to see this frightening scene and their father taken off on this cold winter morning, cuffed, and not even allowed to dress for the freezing temperatures.

Houck shared the entire journey by describing Christ’s Via Delarosa (Way of Suffering) – 14 stations of the Cross, as he recounted the full episode of the two year long legal aggression from the Department of Justice.

Houck finally reached the day of verdict, flanked by his Missouri based legal team.  He was set before a jury composed of people who volunteered for, supported, or used Planned Parenthood’s services. The prosecution made an unbelievably generous offer – you can go free of all sentencing on the condition that you plead guilty.  Knowing he faced the possibility of 11 years in federal prison, he absolutely refused. He would take his chances with the jury.  And by God’s grace – the jury declared NOT GUILTY on both counts.  Justice was served. But freedom from the stress and harm can never be undone.

Yes, there are modern day heroes – those who will stand.

Here’s to heroes –  the Mark Houcks of our nation –

  • who stand for goodness even when it is hard,
  • who are principled when it could cost them everything,
  • who stand for justice when the system would give them a pass IF they would but compromise their values,
  • who stand for life in a world that loves death and darkness,
  • who ‘man up’ to protect and defend the innocent,
  • who know their fatherly duties,
  • who will not take deals for themselves that will harm others,
  • who seek and beseech the Lord to come and do His will in our forsaken world,
  • who cannot be bought at any price,
  • who cannot be impressed nor threatened by the powerful.

Praise God for modern day heroes!

 

Guardians of Liberty

Guardians of Liberty in Southeast Missouri,  a non-profit, non-partisan, pro-liberty organization exists to engage the community, to educate and inform others , and to empower citizens to pass this gift of understanding on to peers  – repeating the cycle with the goal of all citizens acting on and for their own liberty and freedom as given to us by our creator.  Guardians of Liberty values and promotes the protections afforded us within the pages and history of our Missouri and United States Constitutions. Beginning in January 2025, Guardians of Liberty in Southeast Missouri  will meet twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday at Delmonico’s at 5pm.

 

Guardians of Liberty in Southeast Missouri, has hosted state and local officeholders, nationally recognized authors and speakers including:

  • Bill Federer of the American Minute syndicated commentary,
  • Jeanette Fennicum of Utah, widow of Mr. LaVoy Fennicum who was shot down in cold blood by the Oregon State Police,
  • K Carl Smith of the Frederick Douglas Republicans
  • Doug Frank, expert on election integrity
  • Mark Herr, Center for Self Governance
  • Training from – Foundation of Applied Conservative Leadership
  • Wes Scroggins, Abolish Abortion Missouri
  • Twila Brase , Citizens Council for Health Freedom and expert contributor for national media outlets
  • Jeremy Jacobs, National Director – Bound4Life

 

Guardians of Liberty in Southeast Missouri is excited to announce that in March they will host award-winning international journalist, educator, author, consultant , editor of the New American Magazine, and  expert on the World Economic Forum, UNESCO and UN global agendas  – Alex Newman. Newman has been a contributor for Fox News and other national media outlets.