Thread by @BrianKaylor

In Branson at ReAwaken America Tour. Will be writing about it for @WordandWay. Been covering tour from livestream for a year but this will be different.

Wrote about ReAwaken America in @MO_Independent today:
"Missouri leaders should condemn this weekend’s Christian nationalist rally in Branson"
missouriindependent.com/2022/11/04/mis…

We've also written several pieces at @WordandWay newsletter A Public Witness, including in:
Oct: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/how-most-chr…
Aug: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/taking-off-t…
July: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-sermon-m…
June: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-new-sata…
And last Nov:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/one-nation-u…

As usual, ReAwaken America starts with blowing of shofars to bring Holy Spirit into the room. The shofar has become common at evangelical & Pentecostal events, as @sarahposner wrote about: momentmag.com/opinion-shofar…

In addition to anti-vax rhetoric, QAnon claims, & election conspiracies, ReAwaken America mixes in Christian worship like it's a church service. People aren't just accepting politics of event; they're embracing it all as part of their faith.

ReAwaken America went right from singing Christian worship songs to a speaker arguing against vaccines (not just COVID but many others).

Yesterday Kash Patel appeared before a federal grand jury over classified docs at Mar-a-Largo. Today he's speaking at ReAwaken America to urge MAGA votes on Tuesday. Also complaining about COVID vaccine mandates in military as anti-religious liberty.

Kash Patel criticizes conspiracy theory that Trump will return to office before 2024 (though other speakers will push that here). Instead says they have to win on Tuesday to make sure Trump wins in 2024

Sherri Tenpenny, considered 1 of main COVID disinformation sources, giving her anti-vax speech at ReAwaken America. Starts by calling it a spiritual fight. Read more on Tenpenny from @jackmjenkins: religionnews.com/2021/09/14/the…

ReAwaken America in Branson being held in 3,000-seat theater & it's pretty packed even as some people have left seats to get concessions or shop for books, shirts, etc

Pillow magnate Mike Lindell promises at ReAwaken America he'll prove 2020 election fraud in court. Always has excuses why hasn't happened yet as he kicks can down road. But crowd loves him. Massive cheering/ovation as he came to stage. Lots of applause as makes case about "fraud"

As I'm tweeting from ReAwaken America in Branson, be sure to subscribe to @WordandWay newsletter A Public Witness. We've been covering ReAwaken for a year & #ChristianNationalism even longer. Will have reports from Branson in coming days. So subscribe: publicwitness.wordandway.org/subscribe

About to be part of @FaithfulAmerica & @WordandWay press conference in Branson to offer alternative witness to ReAwaken America & #ChristianNationalism.

Kevin Garner, senior pastor at Fox River Lutheran in Sheridan, Illinois, preaching false history of #ChristianNationalism at ReAwaken America. Attacks @americansunited & claims US was founded as Christian nation. Also says Biden isn't real president.

Pastor Kevin Garner uses racist 'curse of Ham' reading of Genesis to paint White Americans as God's chosen people. Then mixes that in with election conspiracies.

ReAwaken America host Clay Clark, Andrew Sorchini, & Michael Flynn urge people to invest in gold. Flynn stresses this isn't based on conspiracy theories but reality.

"Prophet" Amanda Grace, who opens each ReAwaken America Tour event by blowing shofar, is back on stage to preach. For more on her, check out @skestenbaum thread:

Amanda Grace at ReAwaken America sees Trump coming back based on "signs" from Netanyahu's recent win & from "blood moon" & some numbers for Tuesday's midterms.

After preaching, Amanda Grace urged people who wanted prayers for healing or other things to join her & others in hallway. Massive line. Some falling down while being prayed over, others crying.

Eric Trump speaking at ReAwaken America. Claiming his dad won in 2020 & will come back. Also complaining about Mar-a-Largo search.

Eric Trump leads a "lock her up chant" about Hillary. Claims Dems are trying to "destroy Christianity." And complains about persecution of his dad. It's MAGA greatest hits & crowd loves it.

Crowd super excited as Eric Trump strongly hints his dad will run again for president.

I'm confused in the vendor area at ReAwaken America. I can buy my "Let's go Brandon" gear to offer coded curse of Biden. But I can also get "Let's go Jesus" gear to show I'm a Christian?

Went to ReAwaken America baptism service (in a hotel pool). New converts to the movement.

Well, that's it for today. Will be back at ReAwaken America tomorrow. In meantime, subscribe to @WordandWay newsletter A Public Witness:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/subscribe

Back for day 2 for ReAwaken America. Again start with National Anthem & blowing of shofars.

Before speakers attack vaccines, claim Trump won 2020, & talk about taking nation back, ReAwaken America singing Christian praise songs. It's not random; it frames rest of event as holy. As they sang this morning, it's how they fight. Framing God as on their side politically.

Anna Khait, former Survivor contestant, says nation is in darkness but people at ReAwaken America are the light. She's defining group as the church. And the crowd cheered.

Anna Khait urged crowd to forgive enemies like Biden. But doesn't seem to impact vendors as you can still buy your "FJB"gear, Pelosi as Hitler toilet paper, or Dem doormats.

John Michael Chambers claims US is occupied (since doesn't think Biden's real president). Thus, he says wartime rules apply as they fight admin & media that called election. Adds it will happen in "God's time" & "the military's time." And assures crowd they'll win with God's hand

"Prophet" Julie Green claiming to give word from God at ReAwaken America. And the crowd loves it, especially since she has God saying Trump is chosen & will be back. Here's a snippet.

"Prophet" Julie Green isn't just popular at ReAwaken America events. She's also been campaigning in Pennsylvania for Doug Mastriano (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/christian-na…. For good perspective on difference between her & biblical prophets, read @dianabutlerbass: dianabutlerbass.substack.com/p/on-prophets-…

After getting crowd to cheer that Trump is coming back, "prophet" Julie Green refers to ReAwaken America crowd as "the body of Christ" & "the remnant."

ReAwaken America hearing from chiropractor/acupuncturist/nutritionist claiming COVID pandemic is fraud as people were instead actually given exotic animal poisons.

ReAwaken America crowd loves Simone Gold, an anti-vax physician who went to jail for actions in Jan 6 insurrection.

As you're following along with ReAwaken America here, be sure to also subscribe to @WordandWay's newsletter A Public Witness:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/subscribe

People lined up at ReAwaken America to be prayed over by Julie Green, Dave Scarlett, & others as church band sings.

Since not everyone has time to get prayed over during main session, "prophet" Amanda Grace & others went out in lobby to continue praying over people ... in front of Trump store.

Trying to see if I'm supposed to buy all the stickers from this ReAwaken America vendor & put them next to each other on my car as complimentary messages

ReAwaken America crowd loves Greg Locke, pastor in Tennessee who gained notoriety disobeying COVID heath measures & for presence in DC on Jan. 6. For more on him, read @liamsadams & @AndyHumbles profile: tennessean.com/story/news/rel…

Next stop of ReAwaken America Tour will be at Greg Locke's church in January, something he's excited about.

Like other speakers at ReAwaken America, podcaster Mel K criticizes US support of #Ukraine & draws loud applause.

Michael Flynn & Clay Clark at ReAwaken America warning against World Economic Forum for trying to control us all through things like vaccines & 5G.

Michael Flynn Clay Clark at ReAwaken America frame their political work as part of spiritual battle for Jesus (with Bible verses on screen).