"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"
was the famous challenge from United States President Ronald Reagan
to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall.
In a speech at the Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th
anniversary of Berlin, by the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987, Reagan
challenged Gorbachev, then the General Secretary of the Communist
Party of the Soviet Union, to tear it down as a symbol of Reagan's
desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc.
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"Tear down these walls!"
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"Christians, Tear down
these walls!" Research shows U.S. churches spend an estimated $11.5
billion per year on "church buildings". Over 22 percent of church income
goes to building costs, including mortgages, new construction,
utilities, and general upkeep. Further, staff salaries,
facilities, administrative and denominational fees combine for an
average 72% of the total budget. Almost three quarters spent for
maintenance of systems and practices not even mentioned in the New
Testament!
“The church building was never intended to be the center of Christian
activity. Our faith is lived out beyond those walls. Imagine what could
be accomplished if churches rededicated their building funds to
evangelizing and serving the needy.” - Ken Eastburn
Well, Ken, we've done
more than just imagine!
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