From wars and rumors of war abroad, to the rise of anti-Christian, "woke" ideology here at home, it’s clear that Americans are living in perilous and unprecedented times. Some would even say that we’re witnessing biblical prophecy unfold in real time. Stakelbeck Tonight will make sense of these stunning developments through a bold and biblical lens.
#PersonalStory
#Salvation
#Testimony
#Faith
#Author
#Israel
#Freedom
#Gospel
#WorldHistory
#Culture
#Government
#ErickStakelbeck
#Politics
#News
#Family
#Media
#RobertStearns
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: May 2, 2025 | Stakelbeck Tonight | May 2, 2025
- Welcome
- 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:18.608
- To stakelbeck tonight i'm erick stakelbeck
- 00:00:18.608 --> 00:00:20.276
- And since president trump
- 00:00:20.276 --> 00:00:21.511
- Took office in january, dozens of american citizens
- 00:00:21.511 --> 00:00:25.381
- Have been released from foreign captivity
- 00:00:25.381 --> 00:00:28.351
- In places like russia, kuwait and venezuela.
- 00:00:28.351 --> 00:00:31.921
- History is repeating itself in a wonderful way.
- 00:00:31.921 --> 00:00:35.525
- It wasn't too long ago,
- 00:00:35.525 --> 00:00:37.026
- Under ronald reagan's leadership, that america
- 00:00:37.026 --> 00:00:39.629
- Was a beacon of liberty to brave freedom
- 00:00:39.629 --> 00:00:42.532
- Fighters who were trapped behind the iron curtain.
- 00:00:42.532 --> 00:00:45.869
- America was a symbol of hope,
- 00:00:45.869 --> 00:00:47.904
- A place where truth could be spoken freely and where faith
- 00:00:47.904 --> 00:00:51.774
- Could be lived out with no fear of persecution.
- 00:00:51.774 --> 00:00:55.512
- Under president trump, those days are returning.
- 00:00:55.512 --> 00:00:58.481
- But folks, here's the sobering truth.
- 00:00:58.481 --> 00:01:01.417
- He's got a massive fight on his hands.
- 00:01:01.417 --> 00:01:04.120
- The same forces that gripped eastern europe under communism,
- 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:07.657
- Like government overreach, suppression of free speech,
- 00:01:07.657 --> 00:01:11.594
- Hostility to people of faith have reared their evil heads
- 00:01:11.594 --> 00:01:15.932
- Right here in the united states over the past few years,
- 00:01:15.932 --> 00:01:19.502
- Especially in certain blue states.
- 00:01:19.502 --> 00:01:22.405
- We've seen agencies labeling parents as domestic threats,
- 00:01:22.405 --> 00:01:26.442
- Christians and conservatives being censored online or
- 00:01:26.442 --> 00:01:29.712
- Debunked, and churches targeted, all while radical ideologies
- 00:01:29.712 --> 00:01:35.084
- Infiltrate our schools and institutions.
- 00:01:35.084 --> 00:01:38.154
- The line between freedom and tyranny is very thin,
- 00:01:38.154 --> 00:01:42.725
- And once crossed, it's very hard to walk back.
- 00:01:42.725 --> 00:01:46.429
- Thankfully, we are seeing a shift
- 00:01:46.429 --> 00:01:49.332
- With president trump back in office, there is a renewed push
- 00:01:49.332 --> 00:01:52.702
- To uproot these authoritarian trends.
- 00:01:52.702 --> 00:01:55.905
- He's defunding programs that promote radical gender
- 00:01:55.905 --> 00:01:59.375
- Theory in schools.
- 00:01:59.375 --> 00:02:00.677
- He's standing
- 00:02:00.677 --> 00:02:01.744
- Firmly with israel while calling out anti-semitism,
- 00:02:01.744 --> 00:02:05.415
- And he's working to dismantle the woke bureaucracies that have
- 00:02:05.415 --> 00:02:09.252
- Targeted the three great f's faith, family, and freedom.
- 00:02:09.252 --> 00:02:13.990
- We're on the right track,
- 00:02:13.990 --> 00:02:15.558
- But there is still a very long way to go.
- 00:02:15.558 --> 00:02:18.061
- We must be vigilant in guarding our freedoms,
- 00:02:18.061 --> 00:02:21.397
- And no one knows that better than virginia pro don.
- 00:02:21.397 --> 00:02:24.767
- She didn't just study tyranny from afar.
- 00:02:24.767 --> 00:02:27.937
- She survived it.
- 00:02:27.937 --> 00:02:29.239
- Born under brutal communist rule in romania, virginia chose
- 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:33.109
- To stand for truth
- 00:02:33.109 --> 00:02:34.711
- And for jesus, even when it meant risking her life.
- 00:02:34.711 --> 00:02:38.414
- Folks. that's courage.
- 00:02:38.414 --> 00:02:40.350
- That's conviction.
- 00:02:40.350 --> 00:02:41.751
- And that's
- 00:02:41.751 --> 00:02:42.919
- The kind of unshakable faith we need in america today.
- 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:46.055
- As that
- 00:02:46.055 --> 00:02:47.223
- Great man, ronald reagan reminded us, freedom is in free.
- 00:02:47.223 --> 00:02:50.793
- It must be guarded, protected, and yes, fought for.
- 00:02:50.793 --> 00:02:54.897
- Because once it's gone,
- 00:02:54.897 --> 00:02:56.466
- It doesn't come back without a very heavy price.
- 00:02:56.466 --> 00:02:59.869
- Here's my interview
- 00:02:59.869 --> 00:03:00.937
- With virginia pro don, author of the powerful book
- 00:03:00.937 --> 00:03:03.906
- Saving my assassin.
- 00:03:03.906 --> 00:03:06.743
- Your testimony virginia
- 00:03:07.243 --> 00:03:08.778
- Has touched millions around the world,
- 00:03:08.778 --> 00:03:10.813
- And now you're sharing with us.
- 00:03:10.813 --> 00:03:12.348
- So we're very excited.
- 00:03:12.348 --> 00:03:13.449
- Okay, let's back up to romania.
- 00:03:13.449 --> 00:03:17.520
- Tell us first about your upbringing.
- 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:19.856
- You did not.
- 00:03:19.856 --> 00:03:20.723
- Needless to say, you did not grow up
- 00:03:20.723 --> 00:03:22.191
- In a christian environment.
- 00:03:22.191 --> 00:03:23.826
- I grew up in communist romania,
- 00:03:23.826 --> 00:03:26.763
- What i call a land of lies and a place on land.
- 00:03:26.763 --> 00:03:30.867
- A land of lies.
- 00:03:31.234 --> 00:03:32.368
- Because the government is.
- 00:03:32.368 --> 00:03:35.405
- The government started to control the country.
- 00:03:35.405 --> 00:03:38.274
- I was in charge of everything
- 00:03:38.274 --> 00:03:41.044
- Television, radio, newspaper, everything.
- 00:03:41.044 --> 00:03:44.514
- And everything that they considered that it was
- 00:03:44.514 --> 00:03:47.850
- Their truth and forced us to repeat those truths.
- 00:03:47.850 --> 00:03:52.989
- And this was all you knew growing up?
- 00:03:52.989 --> 00:03:54.691
- Yes, exactly.
- 00:03:54.691 --> 00:03:55.958
- The government, who would tell you
- 00:03:55.958 --> 00:03:59.462
- Where to leave, what kind of job to have and everything.
- 00:03:59.462 --> 00:04:03.199
- And virginia,
- 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:04.334
- For people of faith, for christians in romania.
- 00:04:04.334 --> 00:04:07.303
- Look, this was an official atheist regime that was hostile
- 00:04:07.303 --> 00:04:11.507
- To christianity.
- 00:04:11.507 --> 00:04:12.508
- Yes, it was.
- 00:04:12.508 --> 00:04:13.543
- So at is that
- 00:04:13.543 --> 00:04:16.979
- After the government consulted, they turned their power.
- 00:04:16.979 --> 00:04:21.050
- The dictator declared himself a god.
- 00:04:21.050 --> 00:04:24.587
- Nicolae.
- 00:04:24.854 --> 00:04:25.555
- Ceausescu, nicolae ceausescu,
- 00:04:25.555 --> 00:04:26.989
- And required us to worship him alone.
- 00:04:26.989 --> 00:04:30.093
- Well, the reason i want people to pay attention.
- 00:04:30.093 --> 00:04:34.130
- It's not because my story.
- 00:04:34.130 --> 00:04:36.032
- It's a story somewhere that happened.
- 00:04:36.032 --> 00:04:39.569
- That's exactly what it's always going to happen
- 00:04:39.569 --> 00:04:43.272
- When you don't stand up for truth and freedom.
- 00:04:43.272 --> 00:04:46.743
- Because before
- 00:04:46.743 --> 00:04:47.910
- Charles came to power, romania was a democratic country.
- 00:04:47.910 --> 00:04:51.781
- But my relatives, my parents were fearful,
- 00:04:51.781 --> 00:04:55.284
- Well, ready to,
- 00:04:55.651 --> 00:04:58.254
- So me to the government and be politically correct.
- 00:04:58.254 --> 00:05:01.724
- And they were all part of building socialists.
- 00:05:01.724 --> 00:05:05.895
- So if you don't stand up for what is right today,
- 00:05:05.895 --> 00:05:09.599
- If you don't say and don't, exercise your your freedom,
- 00:05:09.599 --> 00:05:15.405
- You'll say that we will end up in the same situation.
- 00:05:15.405 --> 00:05:19.242
- So true. it's a cautionary tale, virginia.
- 00:05:19.242 --> 00:05:21.444
- We're going to unpack that as well.
- 00:05:21.444 --> 00:05:23.179
- I really want you to dig into that.
- 00:05:23.179 --> 00:05:24.747
- We're going to get there.
- 00:05:24.747 --> 00:05:25.882
- But first, your personal story.
- 00:05:25.882 --> 00:05:28.184
- You just set the scene for us beautifully,
- 00:05:28.184 --> 00:05:29.919
- Or i should say horribly
- 00:05:29.919 --> 00:05:31.320
- In terms of the atmosphere you grew up in.
- 00:05:31.320 --> 00:05:33.923
- Atheist regime, totalitarian regime.
- 00:05:33.923 --> 00:05:36.759
- This leader declares himself god.
- 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:39.562
- And by the way, this is in the 20th century.
- 00:05:39.562 --> 00:05:41.364
- Not too long ago, folks.
- 00:05:41.364 --> 00:05:42.799
- When you grow up under this and then you get your law
- 00:05:42.799 --> 00:05:46.402
- Degree. yes.
- 00:05:46.402 --> 00:05:47.837
- And as a young person, i had on one hand
- 00:05:47.837 --> 00:05:52.141
- A fear that i don't belong to anyone, that
- 00:05:52.141 --> 00:05:55.411
- My parents are not courageous enough to protect me.
- 00:05:55.411 --> 00:05:59.515
- The government for government.
- 00:05:59.515 --> 00:06:00.950
- I don't count as a human being.
- 00:06:00.950 --> 00:06:03.686
- And on the other hand,
- 00:06:03.686 --> 00:06:05.321
- I feel like a fire burning in me,
- 00:06:05.321 --> 00:06:08.791
- Saying i don't want to live in like them.
- 00:06:08.791 --> 00:06:12.161
- I want to find the truth.
- 00:06:12.161 --> 00:06:13.629
- The truth
- 00:06:13.629 --> 00:06:14.630
- Why adults are so fearful and find the truth
- 00:06:14.630 --> 00:06:17.934
- And speak up for the truth.
- 00:06:17.934 --> 00:06:19.602
- And because i have some relatives in my families,
- 00:06:19.602 --> 00:06:23.072
- And when we had family reunion, i noticed
- 00:06:23.072 --> 00:06:26.142
- That my relatives will grow up around them.
- 00:06:26.142 --> 00:06:29.278
- I certainly seek what kind of job they have.
- 00:06:29.278 --> 00:06:32.014
- Soon enough they were lawyers.
- 00:06:32.014 --> 00:06:33.683
- So in my mind i said, oh, let's know the truth.
- 00:06:33.683 --> 00:06:37.687
- But they don't have the courage to speak, so i'm going to go
- 00:06:37.687 --> 00:06:41.491
- To law school.
- 00:06:41.491 --> 00:06:42.425
- As you're a lawyer and you're starting out,
- 00:06:42.425 --> 00:06:44.527
- You're you're successful, you're doing well.
- 00:06:44.527 --> 00:06:46.496
- And you meet this particular client
- 00:06:46.496 --> 00:06:49.098
- Who in very gloomy, downtrodden, communist
- 00:06:49.098 --> 00:06:52.134
- Romania had this joy about him, had this peace in his life.
- 00:06:52.134 --> 00:06:55.671
- You couldn't quite understand it.
- 00:06:55.671 --> 00:06:57.240
- And you said, what's your secret?
- 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:58.808
- Yes. and tell us what it was.
- 00:06:58.808 --> 00:07:00.209
- Possible that peace that joy, the confidence
- 00:07:00.209 --> 00:07:03.212
- That he has in a joyless land, in a land full of fear.
- 00:07:03.212 --> 00:07:07.183
- Make me crazy.
- 00:07:07.183 --> 00:07:09.719
- I mean, it was like,
- 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:11.087
- Many times i thought, i need to fix this, man.
- 00:07:11.087 --> 00:07:13.589
- He's crazy.
- 00:07:13.589 --> 00:07:14.390
- It was probably kind of annoying.
- 00:07:14.390 --> 00:07:15.658
- Yes, yes, yes.
- 00:07:15.658 --> 00:07:16.626
- So. but i had clients, one after clients.
- 00:07:16.626 --> 00:07:19.595
- But one day i was face to face
- 00:07:19.595 --> 00:07:23.132
- With him, and i wanted to have what he has.
- 00:07:23.132 --> 00:07:26.903
- And i said, i wish i had what you have in your life.
- 00:07:26.903 --> 00:07:29.939
- And he said, do you go to church?
- 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.408
- And i stared at him thinking, i knew you are crazy,
- 00:07:32.408 --> 00:07:36.812
- But i don't know why i ask you this question.
- 00:07:36.812 --> 00:07:39.615
- And he wrote something he gave me.
- 00:07:39.615 --> 00:07:41.984
- He, he's a piece of paper and said, this is the address
- 00:07:41.984 --> 00:07:45.588
- Of our church.
- 00:07:45.588 --> 00:07:46.455
- Would you come to our church?
- 00:07:46.455 --> 00:07:48.324
- There, i heard for the first time the gospel.
- 00:07:48.324 --> 00:07:51.494
- And there i accepted christ.
- 00:07:51.494 --> 00:07:53.462
- I realized jesus christ, i
- 00:07:53.462 --> 00:07:56.933
- He spoke to me two, two bible verses.
- 00:07:56.933 --> 00:08:00.469
- I am the way, the truth, and the life.
- 00:08:00.469 --> 00:08:02.605
- Nobody comes to the father except to me.
- 00:08:02.605 --> 00:08:05.341
- Finally somebody said to me, eugenia, i am the truth.
- 00:08:05.341 --> 00:08:09.211
- That's our god.
- 00:08:09.211 --> 00:08:10.279
- He speaks to you in a way
- 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:12.281
- That you will understand it the clear way possible.
- 00:08:12.281 --> 00:08:16.285
- And that day i accepted him as my lord and savior.
- 00:08:16.285 --> 00:08:20.323
- And i also understood that he was
- 00:08:20.323 --> 00:08:23.492
- The one who put in my heart the desire to find him,
- 00:08:23.492 --> 00:08:27.263
- To find him as my father, that i never had to find him
- 00:08:27.263 --> 00:08:31.801
- As the truth that i was looking for and
- 00:08:31.801 --> 00:08:35.004
- To defend christian and human rights cases.
- 00:08:35.004 --> 00:08:38.074
- The mission that he gave me for my entire life.
- 00:08:38.074 --> 00:08:42.311
- Coming up, her encounter with the lord set virginia's life
- 00:08:43.479 --> 00:08:46.549
- On a collision course with the iron fisted communist regime
- 00:08:46.549 --> 00:08:50.453
- That controlled romania, and it would soon lead to her
- 00:08:50.453 --> 00:08:53.623
- Staring down the barrel of a gun.
- 00:08:53.623 --> 00:08:56.092
- Hear more from her incredible story after the break.
- 00:08:56.092 --> 00:09:05.004
- Hear more from her incredible story after the break.
- 00:09:05.004 --> 00:09:07.903
- Welcome back to stakelbeck
- 00:09:08.504 --> 00:09:09.739
- Tonight, after giving her life to jesus,
- 00:09:09.739 --> 00:09:12.375
- Virginia put on, found herself driven to fight for justice
- 00:09:12.375 --> 00:09:16.012
- And human rights, which meant instant confrontation
- 00:09:16.012 --> 00:09:19.548
- With romania's totalitarian communist regime.
- 00:09:19.548 --> 00:09:23.219
- She suddenly found herself in the government's crosshairs.
- 00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:26.589
- Yet she would not back down even when
- 00:09:26.589 --> 00:09:29.592
- Facing an assassin's gun.
- 00:09:29.592 --> 00:09:32.762
- You go on to make it your life's mission
- 00:09:33.629 --> 00:09:36.332
- To represent christians
- 00:09:36.332 --> 00:09:38.668
- And human rights cases against the communist regime.
- 00:09:38.668 --> 00:09:42.705
- Tell us how that all developed.
- 00:09:42.705 --> 00:09:44.640
- As a young lawyer, when people started to come to me to defend.
- 00:09:44.640 --> 00:09:49.011
- I pray, and i said, lord, i need to find
- 00:09:49.011 --> 00:09:51.914
- If there is a law who protects this, this people.
- 00:09:51.914 --> 00:09:56.018
- So as i go to to the library,
- 00:09:56.018 --> 00:09:59.355
- A miracle happened.
- 00:09:59.822 --> 00:10:01.991
- In the one part of the library.
- 00:10:01.991 --> 00:10:04.960
- I found the books that somebody forgot
- 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:09.498
- To put them back and to lack of them.
- 00:10:09.498 --> 00:10:12.535
- So i found those laws.
- 00:10:12.535 --> 00:10:14.804
- And god told me, make, make copies of it.
- 00:10:14.804 --> 00:10:18.140
- And i did make copies of it.
- 00:10:18.140 --> 00:10:20.276
- And when i went to court,
- 00:10:20.276 --> 00:10:23.212
- And i told the court that i won the court to release my,
- 00:10:23.212 --> 00:10:27.650
- My young people who transported bible to release them today,
- 00:10:27.650 --> 00:10:32.521
- Because we have laws in romania who protected them.
- 00:10:32.521 --> 00:10:36.292
- The judge, luther me like, are you crazy?
- 00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:38.961
- I gave them the the copies of the law.
- 00:10:38.961 --> 00:10:43.632
- The judge turned red and he said,
- 00:10:43.632 --> 00:10:47.803
- I will make a decision today.
- 00:10:47.803 --> 00:10:51.440
- And he made the decision.
- 00:10:52.007 --> 00:10:53.509
- I went home.
- 00:10:53.509 --> 00:10:55.010
- And later on, when i put my kids to sleep
- 00:10:55.010 --> 00:10:58.948
- And i was listening to find some news
- 00:10:58.948 --> 00:11:02.451
- And what's going on around the world.
- 00:11:02.451 --> 00:11:05.121
- And as i listened to the news, i realized i became the news.
- 00:11:05.121 --> 00:11:10.059
- Those
- 00:11:10.292 --> 00:11:11.293
- Radio on television started to say about me.
- 00:11:11.293 --> 00:11:14.196
- My name, how was i was dressed, how i gave the government
- 00:11:14.196 --> 00:11:18.367
- The laws and how the government was forced to give me a success
- 00:11:18.367 --> 00:11:23.105
- In that case, and how my clients that they had to put,
- 00:11:23.105 --> 00:11:26.776
- To be released.
- 00:11:27.143 --> 00:11:28.477
- And you know what?
- 00:11:28.477 --> 00:11:30.179
- That was god's way to protect me.
- 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:32.248
- You're you're a christian attorney.
- 00:11:32.248 --> 00:11:34.383
- Winning cases against that very regime to the point where,
- 00:11:34.383 --> 00:11:38.687
- Look, you're beat up, you're tortured, you're threatened.
- 00:11:38.687 --> 00:11:42.258
- And that brings us to the assassin.
- 00:11:42.258 --> 00:11:44.260
- So the dictator created the perfect plan.
- 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:47.630
- So he sent a new client to my office.
- 00:11:47.630 --> 00:11:51.100
- An assassin.
- 00:11:51.433 --> 00:11:52.668
- It was one of his gods, the security guard.
- 00:11:52.668 --> 00:11:57.072
- He was six. ten feet tall.
- 00:11:57.072 --> 00:11:59.074
- He was like. you're under five feet tall.
- 00:11:59.074 --> 00:12:01.043
- Just reminded everyone. and he was six for ten years.
- 00:12:01.043 --> 00:12:03.979
- Yeah.
- 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:04.680
- Like a football player. strong.
- 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:06.515
- And he came late in the afternoon.
- 00:12:06.515 --> 00:12:09.785
- They had microphones, so they knew my.
- 00:12:09.785 --> 00:12:12.555
- What about.
- 00:12:12.555 --> 00:12:13.422
- So he came.
- 00:12:13.422 --> 00:12:14.356
- My assistant left to pick up a court case.
- 00:12:14.356 --> 00:12:16.759
- So when he heard that she left the office, closed the door,
- 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:22.198
- He pulled his jacket to his gun and pointed to my face
- 00:12:22.198 --> 00:12:25.901
- And said, i'm not your client.
- 00:12:25.901 --> 00:12:27.570
- I'm here to kill you. and he was,
- 00:12:27.570 --> 00:12:30.472
- Wild in the way he acted.
- 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:33.142
- But he was also he was screaming.
- 00:12:33.142 --> 00:12:36.111
- But he was so joyful in doing this.
- 00:12:36.111 --> 00:12:39.982
- And finally he said to me. why?
- 00:12:39.982 --> 00:12:42.351
- He said that by doing this,
- 00:12:42.351 --> 00:12:44.353
- By killing me, he will be number one in dictator's rank.
- 00:12:44.353 --> 00:12:48.691
- Six for ten.
- 00:12:48.691 --> 00:12:49.758
- Looming over you
- 00:12:49.758 --> 00:12:50.759
- With a gun in your face, screaming at you. yes.
- 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:52.795
- I how. were you?
- 00:12:52.795 --> 00:12:53.963
- I, i was i was convinced that i'm going to die.
- 00:12:53.963 --> 00:12:57.499
- I mean, i'm sure that my face was red.
- 00:12:58.334 --> 00:13:01.036
- My hands were shaking, my knee was shaking.
- 00:13:01.036 --> 00:13:03.772
- I heard my, my heart in my ears.
- 00:13:03.772 --> 00:13:07.309
- I remember hearing the voice of relatives,
- 00:13:07.309 --> 00:13:10.880
- Even enemies, saying, stop fighting against a dictator.
- 00:13:10.880 --> 00:13:15.351
- We will find you death.
- 00:13:15.351 --> 00:13:16.952
- And i thought that i'm going to die.
- 00:13:16.952 --> 00:13:19.088
- But i also heard the whisper of god share the gospel with him.
- 00:13:19.088 --> 00:13:23.959
- And i thought,
- 00:13:24.293 --> 00:13:25.527
- That will be my last chance to share the gospel with him.
- 00:13:25.527 --> 00:13:28.530
- So i looked straight to him and i said, i know you have a job
- 00:13:28.530 --> 00:13:34.303
- And there is no way i can stop you.
- 00:13:34.303 --> 00:13:36.839
- I know you want that position, but i have a job too,
- 00:13:36.839 --> 00:13:42.177
- And i would love to share something with you.
- 00:13:42.177 --> 00:13:45.147
- Would you like me?
- 00:13:45.147 --> 00:13:46.482
- And to my shock and surprise, he said yes.
- 00:13:46.482 --> 00:13:50.185
- And i
- 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.320
- Started to share the gospel with him.
- 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:53.822
- How i recited the bible was a gospel to him.
- 00:13:53.822 --> 00:13:59.595
- And as i read, i'm reciting the gospel with him.
- 00:13:59.595 --> 00:14:02.798
- He put the gun down his shoulders, relaxed.
- 00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:06.769
- He noticed several times.
- 00:14:06.769 --> 00:14:08.938
- And to make the story short, he accepted
- 00:14:08.938 --> 00:14:11.774
- Christ right there.
- 00:14:11.774 --> 00:14:15.711
- So he goes from wanting to murder you to a few minutes
- 00:14:15.711 --> 00:14:19.214
- Later, accepting jesus as his lord and savior,
- 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:21.850
- And you led him. his target led him to the lord.
- 00:14:21.850 --> 00:14:24.053
- Saving my assassin is the name of the book,
- 00:14:24.053 --> 00:14:26.855
- And that's the condensed version of the story.
- 00:14:26.855 --> 00:14:28.791
- Yes, virginia, this is so clearly again,
- 00:14:28.791 --> 00:14:32.428
- Your life is a miracle,
- 00:14:32.428 --> 00:14:33.963
- And god has worked miracles throughout your life
- 00:14:33.963 --> 00:14:36.298
- And put you in positions to share the gospel.
- 00:14:36.298 --> 00:14:38.767
- Just incredible.
- 00:14:38.767 --> 00:14:41.170
- Folks, i hear virginia's testimony
- 00:14:41.904 --> 00:14:43.939
- And i'm reminded of the words of the apostle paul,
- 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:46.942
- If god is for us, who can be against us?
- 00:14:46.942 --> 00:14:50.879
- He always makes a way for his people,
- 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.781
- Even in the most difficult of circumstances.
- 00:14:52.781 --> 00:14:55.751
- To hear more of virginia's incredible life story.
- 00:14:55.751 --> 00:14:58.487
- Be sure to pick up a copy of her books saving my assassin.
- 00:14:58.487 --> 00:15:02.458
- Up next, bishop robert stearns is here to share
- 00:15:02.458 --> 00:15:05.294
- About a very important pro-israel event taking place
- 00:15:05.294 --> 00:15:08.530
- In washington, dc next week that i will be a part of.
- 00:15:08.530 --> 00:15:12.234
- Find out more next.
- 00:15:12.234 --> 00:15:20.000
- Find out more next.
- 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.108
- Welcome back to stakelbeck
- 00:15:23.708 --> 00:15:25.076
- Tonight, as anti-semitism rises globally
- 00:15:25.076 --> 00:15:28.380
- And support for israel is tested like never before.
- 00:15:28.380 --> 00:15:32.017
- A powerful movement is taking shape in our nation's capital
- 00:15:32.017 --> 00:15:36.087
- From may 5th through the seventh.
- 00:15:36.087 --> 00:15:38.123
- An historic gathering of 300 rabbis, pastors and jewish
- 00:15:38.123 --> 00:15:42.360
- And christian leaders will unite in dc for
- 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:45.430
- A groundbreaking leadership conference and advocacy mission.
- 00:15:45.430 --> 00:15:49.200
- Joining us now to share more is our good friend, bishop
- 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:52.270
- Robert stearns, founder and executive director
- 00:15:52.270 --> 00:15:54.973
- Of a great organization called eagles wings.
- 00:15:54.973 --> 00:15:57.409
- Robert, always great to see you.
- 00:15:57.409 --> 00:15:59.344
- Hey, it goes without saying this is an event for such a time
- 00:15:59.344 --> 00:16:03.314
- As this.
- 00:16:03.314 --> 00:16:04.249
- Tell us, robert,
- 00:16:04.249 --> 00:16:05.383
- What we can expect over those three days in dc with this
- 00:16:05.383 --> 00:16:08.219
- Amazing event that eagles wings is organizing.
- 00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:12.957
- Erick, it's always
- 00:16:13.391 --> 00:16:14.626
- An honor to be with you and with your incredible viewers.
- 00:16:14.626 --> 00:16:18.163
- You know, we're living in a moment where that bible verse
- 00:16:18.163 --> 00:16:21.499
- That talks about
- 00:16:21.499 --> 00:16:22.534
- What's on the wall has never been more important.
- 00:16:22.534 --> 00:16:26.237
- And when we are watchmen, when we are those who's
- 00:16:26.237 --> 00:16:29.707
- Who are paying attention to what's happening with israel
- 00:16:29.707 --> 00:16:32.610
- And jerusalem,
- 00:16:32.610 --> 00:16:33.812
- We're really talking about
- 00:16:33.812 --> 00:16:35.046
- What's happening to western civilization.
- 00:16:35.046 --> 00:16:38.016
- That's really the connect point for us.
- 00:16:38.016 --> 00:16:40.285
- The values of the judeo christian worldview.
- 00:16:40.285 --> 00:16:45.056
- And so we're gathering together, the event, in fact,
- 00:16:45.056 --> 00:16:48.493
- In fact, has sold out over 300 pastors
- 00:16:48.493 --> 00:16:52.697
- And rabbis coming together in washington, dc,
- 00:16:52.697 --> 00:16:56.367
- May 5 to 7 to work together to fight anti-semitism
- 00:16:56.367 --> 00:17:01.739
- And to stand for the basic core values of western civilization.
- 00:17:01.739 --> 00:17:07.178
- And as you say, erick, it is for such a time as this.
- 00:17:07.178 --> 00:17:10.882
- We see radical cultural marxism on one hand,
- 00:17:10.882 --> 00:17:14.786
- In a lot of
- 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:16.221
- Our elite institutions manifesting as anti-semitism.
- 00:17:16.221 --> 00:17:19.424
- We see radicalized islam.
- 00:17:19.424 --> 00:17:21.926
- On the other hand, that is a threat to humanity everywhere.
- 00:17:21.926 --> 00:17:26.464
- And we see the rise of, even a kind of a resurgence
- 00:17:26.464 --> 00:17:31.236
- Of, alt right christian anti-semitism.
- 00:17:31.236 --> 00:17:34.506
- That is very concerning.
- 00:17:34.506 --> 00:17:36.107
- We need to gather together in unity and stand for god's
- 00:17:36.107 --> 00:17:40.745
- Promises for jerusalem and god's promises for all of humanity.
- 00:17:40.745 --> 00:17:45.083
- And that's what we're coming together to washington.
- 00:17:45.083 --> 00:17:47.252
- Yeah, robert.
- 00:17:47.252 --> 00:17:48.219
- Well said. as always, folks, it is sold out.
- 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:50.255
- But you see, the link there on your screen.
- 00:17:50.255 --> 00:17:52.390
- It will be streaming live may 5th through the seventh.
- 00:17:52.390 --> 00:17:55.927
- Robert, one important
- 00:17:55.927 --> 00:17:56.961
- Aspect of the event is getting on capitol hill.
- 00:17:56.961 --> 00:18:01.032
- And christian leaders, jewish leaders
- 00:18:01.032 --> 00:18:02.800
- Meeting with members of congress to make the case
- 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:06.004
- For the world's one and only jewish state.
- 00:18:06.004 --> 00:18:08.006
- Why is that so important that we're able to be faced to face?
- 00:18:08.006 --> 00:18:11.309
- And by the way, folks, i will be at the event
- 00:18:11.309 --> 00:18:13.811
- Over those three days in dc with the eagle's wings.
- 00:18:13.811 --> 00:18:16.281
- Why is it so important for christians to be face to face
- 00:18:16.281 --> 00:18:19.984
- With members of congress?
- 00:18:19.984 --> 00:18:22.420
- Well, to our
- 00:18:22.754 --> 00:18:23.788
- Knowledge, erick, this will be the largest joint
- 00:18:23.788 --> 00:18:27.592
- Gathering of rabbis and pastors
- 00:18:27.592 --> 00:18:30.195
- To our knowledge in american history.
- 00:18:30.195 --> 00:18:32.597
- Coming together to dc, to our nation's
- 00:18:32.597 --> 00:18:35.466
- Capital again, to make the point, that
- 00:18:35.466 --> 00:18:40.004
- The state of israel and american support for israel.
- 00:18:40.004 --> 00:18:43.208
- This is not a republican issue or a democrat issue.
- 00:18:43.208 --> 00:18:46.578
- This is not a jewish issue or a christian issue.
- 00:18:46.578 --> 00:18:50.448
- This is an american issue.
- 00:18:50.448 --> 00:18:52.584
- This is about core american values like
- 00:18:52.584 --> 00:18:56.221
- Freedom of the press, the democratic process,
- 00:18:56.221 --> 00:18:58.957
- The rule of law,
- 00:18:58.957 --> 00:19:00.358
- Freedom of religion, all of these democratic principles
- 00:19:00.358 --> 00:19:04.229
- That we value in america and that we value in israel.
- 00:19:04.229 --> 00:19:08.533
- Does israel practice them perfectly?
- 00:19:08.533 --> 00:19:10.602
- No. does america practice them perfectly?
- 00:19:10.602 --> 00:19:13.104
- No. all all societies need to improve and need to grow.
- 00:19:13.104 --> 00:19:17.075
- But the fact of the matter is, we stand
- 00:19:17.075 --> 00:19:19.043
- And we champion these values,
- 00:19:19.043 --> 00:19:21.112
- And we believe that they are a lighthouse
- 00:19:21.112 --> 00:19:23.014
- For the rest of the world.
- 00:19:23.014 --> 00:19:24.148
- So i want to invite pastors,
- 00:19:24.148 --> 00:19:27.018
- If they're not able to
- 00:19:27.018 --> 00:19:28.319
- Physically attend, which again,
- 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.654
- At this point the event is sold out.
- 00:19:29.654 --> 00:19:31.756
- We are going to be
- 00:19:31.756 --> 00:19:32.857
- Launching at this event the israel christian nexus.
- 00:19:32.857 --> 00:19:36.794
- This is a this is an organization
- 00:19:36.794 --> 00:19:38.396
- That might spiritual mentor pastor jack hayford helped lead.
- 00:19:38.396 --> 00:19:41.866
- It was started by a man named general shimon aram.
- 00:19:41.866 --> 00:19:45.703
- But we're now taking this pastor's network
- 00:19:45.703 --> 00:19:48.539
- To a national and eventually even global level,
- 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:52.010
- Uniting pastors together and fighting anti-semitism
- 00:19:52.010 --> 00:19:55.947
- And standing on behalf of israel and the judeo
- 00:19:55.947 --> 00:19:59.517
- Christian worldview.
- 00:19:59.517 --> 00:20:00.818
- So people can go to eagles wings.org/dc
- 00:20:00.818 --> 00:20:05.256
- For more details about the event.
- 00:20:05.256 --> 00:20:07.058
- And again folks, you watch the event live.
- 00:20:07.058 --> 00:20:09.260
- Robert about a minute left.
- 00:20:09.260 --> 00:20:10.561
- This is just going to be such an incredible event as you said.
- 00:20:10.561 --> 00:20:13.031
- Historic.
- 00:20:13.031 --> 00:20:14.065
- Look israel is fighting a war on seven fronts.
- 00:20:14.065 --> 00:20:16.334
- Anti-semitism on the rise, including here in america.
- 00:20:16.334 --> 00:20:19.737
- What do you hope
- 00:20:19.737 --> 00:20:20.805
- The outcome will be after these three days in dc?
- 00:20:20.805 --> 00:20:24.475
- What are the big goals?
- 00:20:24.475 --> 00:20:26.844
- You know, the goal is simple.
- 00:20:27.478 --> 00:20:28.813
- The goal is to draw a line in the heart of every american
- 00:20:28.813 --> 00:20:34.886
- Understanding the powerful connection between americans
- 00:20:34.886 --> 00:20:38.823
- And specifically americans of faith, christian americans,
- 00:20:38.823 --> 00:20:42.593
- A line between our heart and jerusalem.
- 00:20:42.593 --> 00:20:45.997
- Your faith was born in a place
- 00:20:45.997 --> 00:20:49.534
- That places the city of jerusalem.
- 00:20:49.534 --> 00:20:51.936
- As christians, we believe that's the city of the great king.
- 00:20:51.936 --> 00:20:55.239
- The city of peace, the city of shalom,
- 00:20:55.239 --> 00:20:58.209
- The city that's designated
- 00:20:58.209 --> 00:20:59.877
- By god as the as the worship capital of the world.
- 00:20:59.877 --> 00:21:03.715
- Our heart must be knit to god's heart for jerusalem.
- 00:21:03.715 --> 00:21:07.919
- And my prayer is that pastors would
- 00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:11.656
- And christians would stop viewing israel as 3000 miles
- 00:21:11.656 --> 00:21:15.993
- Away and 3000 years ago and begin to understand that
- 00:21:15.993 --> 00:21:20.198
- A heart for jerusalem impacts our worldview today.
- 00:21:20.198 --> 00:21:24.135
- And that's why it's so crucial that we fulfill psalm 122 six.
- 00:21:24.135 --> 00:21:28.272
- Pray and work for the peace of jerusalem.
- 00:21:28.272 --> 00:21:31.809
- Mr. robert stearns. amen.
- 00:21:31.809 --> 00:21:33.277
- Well said.
- 00:21:33.277 --> 00:21:34.312
- As always, folks, you can check robert out on
- 00:21:34.312 --> 00:21:36.214
- Instagram across social media.
- 00:21:36.214 --> 00:21:37.949
- Also, eagles wings as well.
- 00:21:37.949 --> 00:21:40.184
- Robert, i will see you soon in d.c. my friend.
- 00:21:40.184 --> 00:21:42.520
- Keep up the great work. god bless.
- 00:21:42.520 --> 00:21:44.055
- See you again soon.
- 00:21:44.055 --> 00:21:45.289
- And coming up after the break, my final thoughts.
- 00:21:45.289 --> 00:21:48.693
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:21:48.693 --> 00:21:54.997
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:21:54.997 --> 00:21:58.164
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:21:58.931 --> 00:22:00.600
- History may not always repeat itself, but it often rhymes.
- 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:04.971
- And right now there's old dangerous verses
- 00:22:04.971 --> 00:22:07.974
- Of tyranny and oppression are starting to play again.
- 00:22:07.974 --> 00:22:11.477
- From the rise of anti-semitism on our streets to creeping
- 00:22:11.477 --> 00:22:15.214
- Communist mindsets in our institutions.
- 00:22:15.214 --> 00:22:18.618
- But here's the good news god is not silent.
- 00:22:18.618 --> 00:22:21.621
- And his word reminds us
- 00:22:21.621 --> 00:22:23.055
- That even in dark times, he raises up people of courage
- 00:22:23.055 --> 00:22:27.326
- Like virginia wrote on the book of isaiah.
- 00:22:27.326 --> 00:22:29.896
- Chapter 41 verse ten says, do not fear, for i am with you.
- 00:22:29.896 --> 00:22:34.734
- Do not be dismayed, for i am your god.
- 00:22:34.734 --> 00:22:37.970
- I will strengthen you and help you.
- 00:22:37.970 --> 00:22:39.839
- I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:43.509
- Folks, that's what virginia proudhon lived out.
- 00:22:43.509 --> 00:22:45.812
- And that's what we are called to live out as well.
- 00:22:45.812 --> 00:22:48.281
- We stand for truth.
- 00:22:48.281 --> 00:22:49.916
- We speak up for israel,
- 00:22:49.916 --> 00:22:51.651
- And we push back against the lies of totalitarianism
- 00:22:51.651 --> 00:22:55.521
- With faith as our foundation and freedom as our fight.
- 00:22:55.521 --> 00:22:59.959
- Speaking of which,
- 00:22:59.959 --> 00:23:01.327
- Next week we're taking stakelbeck
- 00:23:01.327 --> 00:23:02.795
- Tonight on the road to washington, d.c.,
- 00:23:02.795 --> 00:23:05.064
- For an exclusive look at our faith policy.
- 00:23:05.064 --> 00:23:08.201
- And bold leadership are intersecting right now
- 00:23:08.201 --> 00:23:11.637
- In the nation's capital.
- 00:23:11.637 --> 00:23:12.905
- We'll have some very special guests,
- 00:23:12.905 --> 00:23:14.640
- Including members of the trump administration.
- 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:17.310
- You won't want to miss it.
- 00:23:17.310 --> 00:23:18.444
- Until then, have a great weekend.
- 00:23:18.444 --> 00:23:20.546
- God bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:20.546 --> 00:23:20.546
