The Tennessee Pastors Network (TNPN, www.tnpastors.net) will co-host a press conference tonight in conjunction with a local pastor after a Tennessee elementary school distributed a flyer about birth control to children.
Tennessee Pastors Network President Dale Walker and local pastor Rich Penkoski of Warriors for Christ will hold the news conference just before the public school board meeting for Mary Hughes Elementary School, which is set for 6:30 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 7.
WHO: Tennessee Pastors Network President Pastor Dale Walker and Rev. Rich Penkoski
WHAT: Press conference
WHERE: Sullivan County Regional Health Department, Blountville Clinic, 154 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN
WHEN: 6 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 7
Nationally syndicated radio host Todd Starnes discussed the headline yesterday on his podcast and website. Starnes reported that according to Penkoski, “the flyer, which had been stuffed in his son’s homework folder, invited people to contact an organization for information about free birth control and free family planning information.”
“Free birth control and pre-pregnancy services,” declared the flyer from Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps. “Free birth control including implants, IUDs, pills, condoms, and more.”
“My reaction was disgust,” Penkoski said on “The Todd Starnes Show.” “My son is 7 years old, and the last thing I wanted to do was explain to my son what a condom is.”
The pastor said he reached out to the principal at his son’s school in Piney Flats, but so far none of his questions have been answered. After Penkoski’s interview with Starnes, many Christians contacted the school.
“What concerns me the most is the blatant sexualizing of these children,” he said, “(and) the complete disregard for parents in how they raise their children. Why does a 7-year-old need to know what a condom or IUD is?”