MNSCU Campus Suspends First Amendment, Threatens Pastor with Arrest **Updated**
A Marshall pastor and campus minister has been threatened with arrest if he returns to campus to share the Gospel with students. Rev. John Chisham, Campus leader for Change Collegian Network has been going to the SMSU campus for five years and distributing gospel literature to students willing to take it. It is his habit of leaving tracts around the campus in conspicuous locations that has caused the current problem, noticed in part because an avowed atheist, Matthew Paulson, has taken interest. Paulson is also a student leader on the campus who has threatened Chisham with arrest and sanctions if he ‘says or does something I do not like’.
SMSU, like other MNSCU campuses, has rules that govern where and when free speech can take place on the campus. None of these rules have been broken to Chisham’s knowledge, in fact, Chisham has spoken with leaders in the Student Center and Campus Security in past years to get specific clearance to distribute literature and to speak one to one with the students. January 17, 2012 was the very first time Chisham has ever been told by any official that leaving Gospel tracts around the Student Center was against policy. “I will abide by any policy that is on the books or is clarified by appropriate campus authorities” says Chisham.
Neither Chisham nor Change Collegian Network members have ever disrupted a class, club, or activity which would be a clear violation of MNSCU rules. This was not the case when a professor-led group from another MNSCU (Mankato State University) school invaded Chisham’s church with signs and threats. This is also not true of the atheist group on SMSU’s campus, who has just this year disrupted a sanctioned meeting of Campus Crusade (CRU). Though Paulson denies any involvement or knowledge of the incident, in his supposed role of campus rule enforcement he was strangely absent when it happened. It is only when Christians are on campus that he takes the time to stalk and intimidate, taking advantage of his free speech while attempting to silence others.
Matthew Paulson, left, with Shawn The Baptist. Note how Matthew uses his free speech here.
As of right now, there is a trespass order that does not allow Chisham to come on to the campus. “It (the trespass order) is a great tool to silence divergent views” says Chisham. However, Chisham and his ministry partners plan on holding their regularly scheduled meeting this coming Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Following the meeting, they plan on distributing tracts and sharing the good news with students at SMSU. “I must obey God rather than men” says Chisham. “It is clear that we are making an impact on the lives of students so Satan is sitting up to take notice, acting through his minions who do not even believe he exists”.
**Update
In speaking to Michael Munford, head of University Security, the policy in question is G-024 which has to do with fundraising and solicitation. If Change Collegian Network SMSU agrees not to hand out any Fundraising or Solicitation materials (which is what he says freely given Gospel Tracts are) then he will allow us to return after one semester. This is unacceptable; we will be willing to follow this rule and take the steps necessary to procure the said permit to distribute but the lack of due process at this point is simply working to silence first amendment rights.
If you are interested in protecting the rights of citizens to share their faith on public campuses, please take the time to write the following people at MNSCU and SMSU:
President
Ronald A. Wood, PhD
Founders Hall 207
Phone: 507-537-6272
Email: Ron.Wood@SMSU.edu
Provost
Dr. Beth Weatherby
Founders Hall 214
Phone: 507-537-6246
Email: Beth.Weatherby@smsu.edu
Michael Munford CPP, CPO
Director of University Public Safety
507-537-7252
Mike.Munford@smsu.edu
Executive Administrative Assistant
Chris Anderson
Founders Hall 209
Phone: 507-537-6272
Fax: 507-537-6241
Mailing Address
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street
Marshall, MN 56258-1598
Chancellor MNSCU Steven J. Rosenstone
chancellor@so.mnscu.edu
Wow, its going on everywhere apparently. This just goes to show that those of us who believe in salvation through JC are being used in a great way, and wickedness cant sleep at night because of it. God is always faithful. That kid Matthew may just become a Paul one day. Stay strong Chiz, Peace and blessings.
Thanks, Nick. The Scripture is very clear that in the last days this will happen. All we can do is just continue to preach the Word and be persecuted for doing what is right.
Funny, I was there the night that photo with Paulson was taken, he actually asked Shaun if he could take that photo, otherwise that sign was just laying on top of the fireplace. Way to try to spin the facts.
According to the policy that Michael Munford quoted, this sign is a clear violation of the solicitation and advertising policy. Matthew Paulson should be removed from campus for one year. It actually demonstrates the hypocrisy of Atheists and the lengths that they will go to silence opposing views. And by the way, I snapped the photo and watched Matt make that sign. I have no problem with Matt and support his right to free speech, no matter how wrong he is.
No, no you did not. Because I helped him make the signs before you arrived. Further, you MAY have snapped that photo, but that was AFTER he snapped the one he asked for permission to take. Lastly, that policy only applies to fundraising when it comes to on campus entities. Please read it more closely.
I most certainly did, my anonymous friend. I agree with your reading of the policy; not only for your sign that you supposedly made but for the business sized cards that we hand out. Neither is advertising or soliciting. One is funny; because Atheists don’t believe in Satan (the one who controls and blinds them to the truth) the other is serious business. I support the free distribution and discussion of ideas in the public forum, as do most MNSCU colleges.
[...] Pastor John Chisham, a campus leader for Change Collegian Network, told WND he had been ticketed for handing out Gospel tracts and business cards and issued a “trespass order” telling him to stay off the campus of school. [...]
University abruptly drops ban on gospel said this on January 19, 2012 at 10:14 pm |
[...] Pastor John Chisham, a campus leader for Change Collegian Network, told WND he had been ticketed for handing out Gospel tracts and business cards and issued a “trespass order” telling him to stay off the campus of school. [...]
University abruptly drops ban on gospel | News Patriot said this on January 20, 2012 at 8:50 am |
[...] Pastor John Chisham, a campus leader for Change Collegian Network, told WND he had been ticketed for handing out Gospel tracts and business cards and issued a “trespass order” telling him to stay off the campus of school. [...]
Legalize Jesus | Spread The Gospel | End Christophobia | Rise Up – THE GOSPEL OF JESUS BANNED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ??? said this on January 20, 2012 at 12:03 pm |