Ken Hutcherson

NFL player

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College=Livingston
Position=Linebacker
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years=1974
1975
teams=Dallas Cowboys
San Diego Chargers
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Kenneth Lee Hutcherson (born July 14 1952 in Anniston, Alabama) is a former American football linebacker in the NFL who is now the pastor of the Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, Washington, where he has been since 1985.

Football career

Ken Hutcherson obtained a bachelors degree in education in 1974 from Alabama's University of West Alabama (or "Livingston"), where he had also played football from 1972 to 1974. Hutcherson later joined the NFL but left in 1977 due to a knee injury. He played for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, and Seattle Seahawks.

Career as a reverend

After ending his football career, Hutcherson conducted theological studies at Cascade Bible College in Bellevue, Washington in 1979. After finishing his studies, he served eight years as director of high school ministries at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue. In 1984, he started Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, Washington, along with Mark Webster and Dwight Englund. Hutcherson accepted the position of senior pastor in 1985 and was ordained in 1986. [ [http://www.abchurch.org/our-staff/the-senior-pastor.html Antioch Bible Church - The Senior Pastor ] ]

He was once quoted on his church's website as saying, "The greatest need today in the church - which does not seem to be important in the average church - is the training of people in evangelism, discipleship and the responsibility they have for the church and responsibility they have for God." [ [http://www.theblackman.org/he/he.php Dr. BlackMan : Dr. Ken Hutcherson ] ]

Gay Rights opposition

Gay Rights as a Civil Rights movement

Ken Hutcherson strongly objects to suggestions that the current gay civil rights movement bears a resemblance to the African-American civil rights movement in the 1960s. An opinion piece by Hutcherson published in "The Seattle Times" on March 29 2004, stated, "It has been said loudly and proudly that gay marriage is a civil rights issue. If that's the case, then gays would be the new African Americans. I'm here to tell you now, and hopefully for the last time, that the gay community is not the new African-American community." Hutcherson has been reported as saying that he is offended by those that say same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue and instead is “a moral and sexual preference issue.” [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A36814-2004Oct15 Thousands Rally on the Mall To Protest Same-Sex Marriage] "The Washington Post"]

On April 25, 2008 Hutcherson protested at a school hosting the National Day of Silence [ [http://www.dayofsilence.org/ DAY of SILENCE : April 17, 2009 ] ] . He planned on organizing, and took an ad out in a local paper calling for, 1,000 people to protest Mount Si High School, the school his daughter attended, in Snoqualmie, Washington. In actuality, he gathered only about 180 protesters. The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s event was held in memory of Lawrence King, a California 8th-grader who was shot and killed Feb. 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression.

On March 2, 2006, Hutcherson and King County Executive Ron Sims, himself a Baptist Minister and a supporter of same-sex marriage, met at Seattle Town Hall to debate publicly the question "Is the gay rights movement the new civil rights movement?" The debate, sponsored by "The Stranger" was arranged as a dare and drew a crowd of around 800 people. [ [http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=30932 "TheStranger.com"] ]

Anti-Discrimination legislation

In 2005, the Seattle weekly newspaper "The Stranger" reported that Hutcherson persuaded Microsoft to withdraw support for the Washington Anti-discrimination bill [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1515&year=2005 HB1515] that would have made it illegal to fire an employee due to their sexual orientation. [ [http://www.thestranger.com/2005-04-21/feature.html "TheStranger.com"] ] Hutcherson had reportedly told the Microsoft general counsel that 700 evangelical Microsoft employees attend his church, and all of them opposed the bill. He added that if Microsoft did not withdraw support of the bill, he would organize a national boycott of the software maker. Sometime after the meeting Microsoft changed its long held position on the issue from support to neutral stating that anti-discrimination was not a priority for that legislative session. [ [http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_042305BUBmicrosoft_gayrightsEL.2090188d6.html Microsoft memo on gay issue leaked] ]

A few weeks later, after furious protests from Microsoft employees and advocacy by GLEAM, Microsoft’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employee resource group, the company reversed itself and pledged to support future anti-discrimination legislation.

The Anderson Murray Civil Rights Bill was passed in the Washington State House on January 20, 2006, in the Senate on January 27, 2006, and signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on January 31, 2006. When the bill was passed, Hutcherson again called for a boycott, but no such organized effort emerged.

On January 25, 2006, Hutcherson called for supporters to take action against Microsoft for reinstating its support of the Washington State Anti-Discrimination bill [ [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2661&year=2005 HB2661] ] by driving down the company’s stock price. Hutcherson asked that supporters purchase one or two Microsoft shares over the following months with the goal of selling them on May 1, 2006. Market experts stated that the “buy-and-dump” plan had no realistic chance of affecting Microsoft stock while legal scholars warned that the plan could be considered illegal market manipulation. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060124-1542-wst-microsoft-gayrights.html Gay rights opponent wants to drive down companies' shares] ] Microsoft maintained its support of the bill and on May 1, 2006 Microsoft shares closed up 14 cents on the previous day’s close. [ [http://finance.google.com/finance/historical?cid=358464&startdate=Apr+28%2C+2006&enddate=May++2%2C+2006 Google Finance] ]

Hutcherson committed to take the issue before the voters in a referendum. [ [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/257432_gayrights28.html A long-awaited win for gay rights: Senate OKs state anti-bias bill] ] On February 9, 2006, Tim Eyman lodged referendum Initiative 65 which sought a public vote to repeal the Murray Anderson Civil Rights Bill before it could take effect on June 7, 2006. Hutcherson supported the initiative and conducted petition signature gathering at his Antioch Bible Church. When the 6 June 2006 deadline arrived the campaign announced they had failed to collect the 112,400 signatures required to qualify for the ballot.

Still focused on overturning anti-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians, Hutcherson lodged his own ballot initiative on January 19, 2007. Initiative 963 proposed removing any reference to sexual orientation or sexual preference from existing anti-discrimination legislation and required 224,800 valid signatures be collected by the July 6, 2007 deadline to qualify for the ballot. [PDFlink|http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i963.pdf] |36.8 KiB ]

On January 27, 2007, "The Seattle Times" reported that Hutcherson had allied with a network of churches tied to conservative evangelical Slavic communities in Washington State and California that have been active in anti-gay causes. [http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=hutcherson27m&date=20070127 Gay-rights foe finds new allies in Slavic churches] , by Janet I. Tu, January 27 2007, "The Seattle Times". ] The stated purpose of this alliance was to collect signatures for initiative 963 to overturn the recently passed state law that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.

On June 29, 2007, Hutcherson told "The Seattle Times" that he had dropped the initiative some months earlier at the urging of Pastor Joe Fuiten, who argued that the time was not right for the campaign and asked instead for his help in opposing domestic partnership rights for gay and lesbian couples. [ [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003767348_dige29m.html Initiative targeting gays is dropped] "The Seattle Times"]

Hate Crimes legislation

On April 17, 2007, Hutcherson was scheduled to participate in a press conference hosted by Exodus International opposing passage of the federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. The event, to be held at the National Press Club, was intended to put pressure on lawmakers to drop the legislation which proposed adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the currently protected classes of race, color, religion and national origin. [ [http://www.pcquote.com/stocks/newswire/2812798/?tagged=newswire "PC Quote"] ] The press conference was cancelled in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings. [ [http://exodus.to/content/view/711/37/ National Pro-Family Organizations Cancel Press Conference to Honor Victims of Virginia Tech Tragedy] , April 17 2007, Exodus International Press Office.] The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 passed the House on 3 May 2007 by a vote of 237 to 180. On June 18, 2007, Hutcherson and 29 other African-American pastors in the High Impact Leadership Coalition publicly opposed the Senate hate crimes bill renamed The Matthew Shepard Act on 1st Amendment grounds. [PDFlink| [http://www.freemarket.org/Img/HILCRollCallREVISE30.pdf] |593 KiB ]

ame-Sex marriage

On May 1, 2004, Hutcherson organized a "Mayday for Marriage" rally against marriage rights for lesbian and gay couples. [http://www.maydayformarriage.com/press.aspx] The highly-publicized effort drew an estimated 20,000 supporters from around the Puget Sound region to Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington - a city otherwise known for being welcoming of gay culture. Later, in October 2004, he organized another "Mayday for Marriage" rally in Washington, D.C. which attracted an estimated 140,000 participants.

After switching focus from opposing anti-discrimination legislation to fighting recognition of domestic partnerships in early 2007, Hutcherson claims that the Christian group who were in charge of the effort failed to follow through on their plans. Despite opposition from Hutcherson and Christian groups the Domestic Partnership bill [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5336&year=2007 HB5336] passed the state legislature and was signed into law on April 21, 2007. Angered by the situation, Hutcherson has said he intends to force a state-wide debate on legal recognition for same-sex relationships which he and other opponents see as an incremental step towards securing same-sex marriage rights. Speaking with "The Olympian", Hutcherson said “I am going to do something that deals with the main issue,” adding that he intends to provide broader political leadership for Christians that he believes has been absent in recent years. [ [http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/155016.html On the ballot] "The Olympian Online"]

hareholder Advocacy

On November 13, 2007, Hutcherson addressed the Microsoft Annual Stockholders meeting. During the question and answer session he referred to previous discussions with Microsoft executives regarding their support for anti-discrimination legislation in Washington State and threatened further action against the company without clearly specifying the policy position or activity he hopes to change. Hutcherson stated "I could work with you, or I could be your worst nightmare, because I am a black man with a righteous cause, with a host of powerful white people behind me...". [ [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/346431_antiochmsft08.html?source=mypi Conservative pastor urges buying Microsoft stock to fight its gay rights efforts] "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer"]

After Hutcherson's comments, one attendee asked what shareholders could do to help the company to oppose Hutcherson. Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith responded, "As a company, we've had a clear policy with respect to the way we treat our people, and we believe in that policy. It's a policy that's founded on non-discrimination, it's a policy that we believe has served our employees well, it's served our shareholders well, and I think that was reflected last year when all of our shareholders were asked to vote on that policy, and over 97 percent of you and all of our other shareholders stood up and agreed with us. And I think that it is precisely in that form that shareholders have the opportunity to continue to make their views known, and we very much appreciate that support". [ [http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/125861.asp Notes from MSFT's annual shareholders meeting] "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer"]

On November 16, 2007, an interview appeared in the "The Daily Telegraph", a UK tabloid publication, where Hutcherson described his plan to ask millions of evangelical activists, Orthodox religious and other allies, to purchase Microsoft shares and demand a return to 'traditional values'. He described Microsoft as just the first company to be targeted in a larger campaign which will attempt to force American corporations to support only biblically-based social policy positions. In the article Hutcherson alleged "There are 256 Fortune 500 companies alone pouring millions upon millions of dollars into pushing the homosexual agenda..." but he has yet to provide any evidence for his claims. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/16/wmicro116.xml Pastor in Microsoft 'gay rights' share bid] "The Daily Telegraph"]

However, in accordance with a May 6, 2005 e-mail where Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laid out guidelines and restrictions for future public policy engagement [ [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/may05/05-06StevebPublicPolicy.mspx Text of Steve Ballmer E-Mail to U.S. Microsoft Employees Regarding Public Policy Engagement] "Microsoft PressPass - Information for Journalists" ] , the company has expressed no position on same-sex marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnership legislation at the Washington State or Federal levels.

In a January 12, 2008 radio interview on "Sirius OutQ" with Michelangelo Signorile, Hutcherson once again claimed that Microsoft was advocating in support of same-sex marriage:

MS: So you won't buy up the stock if they decide not to support gay rights anymore...
KH: No, outside of their four walls... don't forget that I'm not asking...
MS: Well it's already done now, Microsoft has already helped to give its support to change the law in Washington State.
KH: Yeah, but they're not through Michael, you know they're not through. They are gonna come back and they are gonna be pushing other laws. The number one thing they want here in this state, and you know this, is same-sex marriage. [ [http://www.pamspaulding.com/audio/HutchersonJan1108.mp3 Radio Interview with Ken Hutcherson] "Sirius OutQ" ]

On January 8, 2008, Hutcherson announced details of his "Buy Three, Donate One" campaign [ [http://agnfinancial.org/press.html Microsoft told by AGN to put shareholders first and stop financing ungodly ventures 2-billion Christians find offensive] "AGN Financial Network Press Release"] which asked supporters to purchase three shares of Microsoft stock, donate one share to the AGN Financial Network [ [http://agnfinancial.org/index.html AGN Financial Network web site] "AGN Financial Netowrk"] , and prepare to vote on a Shareholder Proposal that would be presented at the next Microsoft Stockholders Annual meeting in November 2008.

Hutcherson's goal of gaining control of 100 million Microsoft shares by the next Annual meeting is unlikely to have any impact on Microsoft public policy engagement. The goal is around one percent of the total 9.4 billion outstanding shares, 59 percent of which remain in the hands of institutional investors.

Quotes

Politics

* "You can give us a revote, or you're going to cause us to revolt."
** Warning at a public demonstration protesting the very close gubernatorial election that ultimately saw Democrat Christine Gregoire being sworn in as Governor of Washington State in 2004. [ [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002148486_leg12m.html Two sides rally on eve of inaugural] , by Ralph Thomas and Andrew Garber, January 12 2005, "The Seattle Times".]

Religion

*Leigh Sales: Pastor Ken Hutcherson, who runs the Antioch Bible Church in Washington state, has seen an advance screening of the film. In order to generate favorable publicity, Gibson's company has invited select, mostly Christian audiences, to showings to ensure good word-of-mouth.:Hutcherson: I think it's going to be controversial to those believers who don't want to admit the suffering that Christ had to go through to pay for our sins. I think it's going to be controversial to the whole view of the Jewish nation. The truth is that they did push to have Christ crucified. That's just plain truth... that's Biblical truth. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1048961.htm Mel Gibson directs film on the life of Christ] , by Leigh Sales, "The World Today".]

*Hutcherson: “God has given us this country and has given us animals to subdue and train, and that's what I do and I enjoy it.":Goertzen: "You think God gave us animals to subdue and train?":Hutcherson: "Oh yeah, you bet, to please man." [http://www.komotv.com/news/archive/4157991.html Passionate Pastor Talks About Making Waves] , by Kathi Goertzen, July 14 2005, KOMOTV.com.]

* "Well, if it means believing in God's outstanding truth, you could probably say yeah. But if you're talking about hatred -- thinking I'm better than someone else -- no not at all"
** Responding to reporter Kathi Goertzen’s question whether he is a bigot.."

Ego

* "I have a tremendous ego. That's why I played pro football. I'm taking that same ego … and now putting it in for the glory of God to do his will and his work."

* “It's humbled me. It's God's work. No. 1, I fear God more than anything else. There's no way in the world I'm going to take credit for this, because God can say, you know, you're not going to take your next breath. No. 2, it's about the church, it's about traditional marriage -- it's not about me.”
** Hutcherson responding to a question from John Iwasaki on how his increased public profile has affected him. [ [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/195144_marriage14.html Pastor takes anti-gay-marriage message to nation's capital] , by John Iwasaki, October 14 2004, "Seattle Post-Intelligencer"]

* "God plus Hutch is enough." [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/02/national/02minister.html?ex=1183953600&en=853af5ba6a5892e3&ei=5070 A Megachurch's Leader Says Microsoft Is No Match] , by Sarah Kershaw, May 2 2005, "New York Times".]

* "I want to be to Christianity what Gretzky was to hockey, what Beckham is to soccer, what Jordan was to basketball, what Martin Luther King was to African-American rights, what the Pope was to Poland. I want to be that to Christianity."

*Hutcherson: "The country better be glad I did not want to be President of the United States."
Goertzen: "You think pretty highly of yourself."
Hutcherson: "You know why? I know who I belong to. I'm a child of the King."

Civil Rights and Homosexuality

* "You tell me what I went through as an African-American, when they talk about discrimination, compared to what gays go through with discrimination - it's the difference between night and day, not even close. I even get upset when people say, 'Well, you got to understand what they go through.' Not when they've chosen to do what they do. They can stop choosing what to do what they do, and they can hide it anytime they want. They can hide their homosexuality. Could I take a 'don't ask don't tell' policy as an African-American? I could try even to pretend I was Puerto Rican, but I'm still going to get blasted for my skin color."
** Reacting to gay rights supporters who draw comparisons between the equal rights movement for gays and lesbians and the struggles of other groups facing discrimination.

* "I believe that God’s word is the final word. I believe that mine is not. And anything that God say is wrong, I say is wrong. And anything that God says is right, I say is right. I do not hate homosexuals. That’s the worst lie that’s ever been told about me. I hate homosexuality because the bible does." [ [http://www.kuow.org/defaultProgram.asp?ID=10317 Rev. Ken Hutcherson and Ron Sims Debate Gay Rights] ,by Liz Jones, KUOW Program Archive]

* "We want education, not indoctrination." [cite news|last= Thompson|first= Lynn|title= Mount Si's Gay-Rights Day of Silence is Far From Quiet|publisher= The Seattle Times| date= 2008-04-26|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2004374870_dayofsilence26e.html|accessdate= 2008-04-26]

Microsoft and Anti-Discrimination

* “Well, I think there‘s no doubt that my meeting with Microsoft definitely made them back off and take a neutral stand. And when I met with them, I called them at first and let them know who I was and told them I wanted to meet with the executive vice president of legal, and that they had stepped out of their four walls and had stepped into my world. And I told them, as long as it was your policy inside your business, that was fine. But when you tried to make your policy my policy by making it a state law, then you have messed up. And since you stepped into my world, I am going to step in your world, and you‘re not going to like it.” [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7736569/ 'Scarborough Country'] , May 3 2005]

* “You know, Microsoft has done tremendous good for our area. It has done very great things for adoptions. They help their employees adopt. And I told them, I wasn‘t—I wasn‘t mad about their policies inside their four walls. But they made a major mistake when they told Ed Murray and they told others that they were going to support that bill, because homosexuals at Microsoft is not the only group that works there.”

*Hutcherson: That they was going to support that bill and send a letter down there. And I just stood up and said, you stepped into my world. I am going to step in yours. And if you don‘t back this off, I am going to put a national boycott. And everyone knows boycotts don‘t work, Pat, but I told them and I told Brad Smith to his face, look, it doesn‘t have to work. What I am going to do and the boycott doesn‘t have to work. What Microsoft don‘t want is how much publicity I can bring to this if they don‘t. And, Pat, I was very happy with Microsoft.

:Pat Buchanan: Right.

:Hutcherson: Because I got what I wanted. I didn‘t let this out. The homosexuals at Microsoft was the ones that leaked this, because it would have been foolish for me, who got what I wanted, to let this out in public..”

* “I feel it’s been kind of a stressful day. I feel that it was wrong for the company to say that they will be supporting issues such as this. Businesses should not be publicly making a stance on that, regardless of their internal policies.”
** Commenting on the Microsoft decision in May 2005 to reinstate its support for anti-discrimination legislation in the next legislative session. [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/05/07/MNGS7CLNIT1.DTL]

* "I don't think. I know. If I got God on my side, what's a Microsoft? What's a Microsoft? It's nothing."
** Responding to a question from reporter Sarah Kershaw asking if he believed that he had been solely responsible for changing Microsoft’s position on anti-discrimination legislation.

* "I told them I was going to give them something to be afraid of Christians about."
** Relating how he threatened Microsoft officials with a national boycott of its products over the company's support of an anti-discrimination bill in Washington State. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/22/national/22gay.html?ex=1271822400&en=f4581066884a45f3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss The New York Times > National > Microsoft Comes Under Fire for Reversal on Gay Rights Bill ] ]

ame-Sex marriage

* “There are absolutes and I’m absolutely right on this issue. God does not want marriage to be redefined.” [ [http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=17324 People For the American Way - October: Mayday for Marriage ] ]

* "I think that traditional marriage is under attack. I think it's an emergency situation. The church has to stand up." [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/195144_marriage14.html Pastor takes anti-gay-marriage message to nation's capital ] ]

* "My idea here is to drop a spiritual bomb on D.C., like Spain, where they had the terrorist bomb"
** Comparing the “Mayday for Marriage” rally he organized in Washington D.C. to the Madrid train bombing by terrorists that killed 191 people. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002263363_hutcherson05m.html The Seattle Times: Local News: Outspoken pastor a spiritual bulldozer? ] ]

* "We want to get the Slavic churches, the Russian-speaking churches, the Korean churches, Philippine, Chinese, white, cross-cultural. ... If we're going to win this fight on protecting traditional marriage, we're going to need all churches to work together.”

* “Even non-believers understand the whole aspect of marriage. Common sense tells us what is right and wrong. Look at all the states that have had an opportunity to put this on the ballot. (Gay-marriage bans have passed by large margins in Missouri), Louisiana and in California, the most liberal state in the United States. It's not a battle we've just got to win by religion. ... The only reason this issue is still alive is because of runaway judges in the court system. One judge comes along and says the ban is unconstitutional. They're legislating from the bench. We're going to start standing up and saying, 'OK, judges, you want to run away with this, we're going to (work toward your removal and that of those politicians who support same-sex marriage). We're going to change your office window view.”

Ex-Gay movement

* "I've met many ex-gays, but I've never met an ex-black."

* “I have many people in my congregation who used to be homosexual, ... They have received counseling just as any sinner can be counseled and they have repented. The black community that takes a liberal view of the Bible, they are saying you have to change with the times. For those of us who take the Bible as a literal guide to life, the black-and-white truths are set by God.” [ [http://en.thinkexist.com/reference/church_sayings/ church sayings ] ]

White House Special Envoy status

* “I came to you representing the White House. In my country, people will know how Latvia responded to anti-Christian statements. We need to stand for righteousness not only morally, but also physically and financially. It's a great battle for righteousness and no one can stop it. I promise to stand with you.”
** Hutcherson claims he was granted “Special Envoy” status by the White House during a speech at the New Generation Church in Riga, Latvia. [http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2007/03/erroneous_notes_from_the_prayer_warrior.html White House disputes pastor's claim he was "special envoy"] , by David Postman, "The Seattle Times", March 19 2007]

* "You're to see that's the proof and I don't appreciate people me out a liar. You'll be able to listen to it and you can decide how much power I had when I went over there."
** Reacting to official White House denials that he had been granted “Special Envoy” status by the White House Office of Faith Based Initiatives.

FBI Complaint

On 21 March 2007, Seattle attorney Dave Coffman filed a complaint with the FBI asking them to investigate whether or not Pastor Hutcherson violated federal law by claiming to be a White House "Special Envoy" on a recent trip to Latvia. [ [http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/03/seattle_lawyer_files_complaint_with_fbi Seattle Lawyer Files Complaint With FBI Over Ken Hutcherson's Claim that He Is a U.S. "Special Envoy" | Slog | The Stranger | Seattle's Only Newspaper ] ] Hutcherson claims his work and trip were sanctioned by the Bush White House. The trip was the centerpiece of a four-day anti-gay "crisis conference" held in Latvia.

Hutcherson claims that the director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Jay Hein appointed him as a "special envoy" for the Latvia trip, where he appeared with Scott Lively, an opponent of gay civil rights and alleged Holocaust denier who claims that, despite being targeted themselves, homosexuals were the cause of the Holocaust.

According to Eli Sanders of the Seattle alternative weekly newspaper "The Stranger", who spoke to an agent at the FBI, the agency does investigate allegations that people have represented themselves as speaking for the White House.

Hutcherson has claimed that he was made a Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. White House spokesperson Alyssa J. McLenning communicated to the newspaper that Hutcherson was never given the title of Special Envoy. In her statement, McLenning wrote "The White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives did not give Hutcherson the title, 'Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief.' The White House did not give Hutcherson any other titles and did not coordinate with Hutcherson on his recent trip to Latvia." [http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/03/white_house_contradicts_local_pastor_ken UPDATE: White House Contradicts Local Pastor Ken Hutcherson on His Claim that He Is a U.S. "Special Envoy"; Hutcherson, in Response, Says He Will Provide Video Proof | Slog | The Stranger's Blog | The Stranger | Seattle's Only Newspaper ] ]

Hutcherson claims the White House is lying and told "The Stranger" that they should speak with Hein, who met with him at the White House and in Seattle.

Hutcherson claims to have met with Hein at least twice in person about this partnership, once in January 2007 in Seattle, and once in February 2007 at the White House. Hutcherson said of the title and partnership relating to his work in Latvia, "In my meetings, I can represent as being with them (the Bush White House) and having the power I need to get things done."

Hutcherson claims there is a video that was shot after a meeting on 8 February 2007 at the White House between himself; Jay Hein; and Alexei Ledyaev, pastor of New Generation Church in Riga, Latvia.

Hutcherson said this White House meeting was the second of two meetings he had with Hein about his plans in Latvia. The first meeting, according to Hutcherson, took place on 18 January 2007 during a conference in Seattle on faith-based initiatives that was attended by Hein.

"That was when he made his first commitment to me and said it was a done deal," Hutcherson told me. Hutcherson describes the "done deal" as "our partnership." Hutcherson claims requested the first meeting with Hein because "I just wanted Faith-Based to give me the power to do what I needed to do" and that "the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives did just that." according to Hutcherson.

Hutcherson claims that in the video from the second meeting on 8 February 2007 in Washington D.C., the three men—Hutcherson, Hein, and Ledyaev—are standing on the White House lawn answering questions from a Latvian television reporter. Hutcherson claims the video will show that Hein met with him, knew of his new title, and approved of his mission to Latvia. Hutcherson told the "Seattle Stranger" newspaper "I’m gonna prove that I had those meetings, I’m gonna prove that I got that title behind me, and I’m gonna show you the video that says I was coming to Latvia and the purpose why."

Publications

* Hutcherson, Ken, "Here Comes the Bride : The Church: What We Are Meant to Be". 2000. ISBN 1-57673-359-9
* Hutcherson, Ken, "Before All Hell Breaks Loose : Preparing for the Coming Perilous Times". 2001. ISBN 1-57673-793-4
* Hutcherson, Ken, "Enough Faith: You've Already Got What It Takes to Make a Difference". 2006. ISBN 1-59052-600-7

References

External links

* [http://www.abchurch.org/our-staff/the-senior-pastor.html Bio at Antioch Bible Church]