RESOLVE TO STAND
RESOLVE TO STAND
Living a Daniel faith in a culture of Babylon
On October 13-14, 2023, Counteract USA hosted our first-ever Resolve to Stand Conference. Over 400 people from 10 different states (half of whom were students age 13-25) gathered in Rogers, AR, to worship together and be emboldened to stand for the truth of the Word of God, no matter the cost. We were joined by speakers like Riley Gaines, Louie Gohmert, Pastor Phil Hopper, international missionaries, local pastors and worship leaders, legislators, Gen Z leaders, and more.
This year’s theme was “Living a Daniel Faith in a Culture of Babylon.” Like Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, we find ourselves in a very anti-God, post-truth culture. But they weren’t shaken by indoctrination in Babylonian exile. They stood firm. They were prepared and grounded in truth and were thus unwilling to budge on their beliefs. Even when faced with death, they knew their hope was in something—Someone—greater than Babylon.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'” – Daniel 3:16-18
SPEAKERS
RILEY GAINES
12X All-American Swimmer, Women’s Sports Advocate & Speaker
Sponsored by The Riley Gaines Center
Riley Gaines is one of the most decorated swimmers in University of Kentucky history, yet over the past year she has become recognized as much for her advocacy for the protection of women’s sports than her record breaking achievements.
After tying for 5th place in the 2022 NCAA finals against male swimmer, Lia Thomas, Gaines saw first hand how the athletic organization favored transgender athletes over other women competing. Despite slander and violent protests against her, she now travels to raise awareness of the assault on women’s sports and to push the “Protect Women’s Sports Act” in all 50 states.
LOUIE GOHMERT
U.S. Representative of Texas (2005-2023)
For eight consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Louie Gohmert proudly served the First District of Texas which encompasses over 12 counties stretching nearly 120 miles down the state’s eastern border.
A favorite among Tea Party groups, Louie speaks often as a fellow Tea Party advocate across Texas and the United States, boldly standing on America’s founding principles and basing his ideas on Constitutional fundamentals.
BENJAMIN NOLOT
Award Winning Filmmaker, Founder & CEO of Exodus Cry, and Consultant to United Nations
Benjamin Nolot is the CEO and Founder of Exodus Cry, an anti-trafficking organization with a global impact, and an award-winning film director. His campaigns and films have reached over 40 million people worldwide, have brought accountability to the world’s biggest porn companies, and have educated legislators at the highest levels of government. His first film, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, helped support the passing of stronger anti-trafficking laws in multiple countries and his current campaigns are bringing unprecedented accountability to the exploitative porn landscape. Benjamin is inspired by the great abolitionist William Wilberforce and is driven by the core conviction that every person should be free.
PHIL HOPPER
Lead Pastor of Abundant Life Church
Before entering the ministry, Pastor Phil was a police sergeant and SWAT team member with the Kansas City, Missouri police department. He was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, the department’s second-highest honor; the Channel 9 Gold Award for Valor from a local television station; and was named one of the National Tactical Officers of the Year in 1997. This unique background prepared Phil for his ultimate calling in February 2000 when he answered the call to pastor at the time Liberty Baptist in Lee’s Summit, which is now Abundant Life. Phil and his wife Christa have 3 children.
JOSEPH WOOD
Secretary of Department of Transformation & Shared Services and Chair of the Republican Party of Arkansas
Joseph Wood has an incredible testimony. After being abandoned as a baby on the streets of Chicago, Wood grew up in a neighborhood filled with drugs, gangs, and violence. It wasn’t until 1988 when speaking with an older gentleman that he came to the realization, for things to go differently, one has to vote differently. Three years later, after he says his faith became a relationship with God, that idea was further reinforced.
Now Wood serves as the newest chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, promoting conservative Christian values by standing on the truth of the Word of God.
RICK BRATTIN
State Representative of Missouri (2020- ) and Former Marine
Rick Brattin grew up in Greenwood, Missouri where he graduated from Lee’s Summit High School. After graduating, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served for six years as a Non-Commissioned Officer.
Rick strongly believes in the value of public service and fighting for our values. He continued this fight in the Missouri State House of Representatives and then the Missouri State Senate.
Currently, Rick is owner of a small construction company that has served our community for 15 years. He also tends a 40-acre farm in central Cass County. Rick and his wife, Athena, reside in Harrisonville with their five children. The Brattin Family are devoted Christians and are members of Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit.
DAVID MCDONALD
Speaker and Author of “The Third Education Revolution”
Dr. David McDonald believes that the Bible must be the foundation for flourishing nations. He lectures domestically and internationally on Biblical Worldview, Discipleship, liberty, God’s first government “the family,” parenting, policy, world religions, and education.
He is an author for “The Third Education Revolution,” a global initiative to return education back to the church within an ecosystem of veritas and virtue. David serves with BOMI (Book of the Millennium International), is a Director for Health Teams International, and serves as Global Director for Kingdom Education.
NATE SWEENEY
Founder and CEO of The Abiding Network
Nate Sweeney has served in many ministry capacities since his graduation from Bible school in 1997. He currently works as the directional leader of Catalyst Church in Bentonville, Arkansas; is the founder and directional leader of The Abiding Network; and, he sits on the Influencers Ministry global board as a church relations leader.
Nate speaks from experience. From leading his church through the transformation into an Abiding Church, he has learned to assist leaders in creating environments of discipleship to encourage followers to know Christ and make Him known. Nate has mentored, coached, and helped disciple hundreds of church leaders all over the nation.
GRANT MAY
Christian Political Thinker and Commentator
Grant May is a Christian political thinker and commentator. Through social media, speeches, and podcasts, Grant seeks to equip Christians with the tools they need to contend for truth with grace in the public sphere and help them think critically about how to love their neighbors through politics.
NOELLE FITCHETTE
Writer, Speaker, and Host of “Out of Context” Podcast
Noelle is a writer and speaker, from Los Angeles, California. In the midst of 2020’s political and cultural climate, she found herself at a crossroads, grappling with the decision to embrace society’s viewpoint on race and justice or to delve into what God’s word reveals about these matters. This pivotal decision marked the start of her journey from science to politics.
Soon after, Noelle was doxxed for sharing her thoughts on TikTok and Instagram, teaching her that sometimes standing up for Christ means standing alone.
By God’s grace and kindness, Noelle has worked to bridge political gaps by appearing on podcasts, talk shows, and panels, aiming to counteract cancel culture and share her Biiblical convictions. She passionately emphasizes the importance of empathy, open dialogue, and staying true to one’s values and faith.
Noelle is currently a graduate student at Texas A&M and junior fellow for the Independent Women’s Forum. She serves as an ambassador for Turning Point USA and Young Women for America. She hosts the podcast “Out of Context,” where she strives to help fellow Gen Z Christians and engage with differing perspectives, while maintaining a balance between truth and love to ultimately glorify Christ.
ALLISON LIND
NYC Women’s Cell Leader & Parkour Trainer
Allison Lind is our Counteract cell leader based in NYC. She is finishing her last year studying Theatre and New Media as well as pursuing a career as a parkour athlete and coach. Her story involves going from being a lukewarm, progressive Christian to being called to one of the most secular cities in the world to stand for her faith. From being cancelled by her school to being the only Christian conservative in dominantly secular and intolerant circles, Allison is here to speak about her experience maintaining her faith and pursuing God through the modern persecution that the Gen-Z church faces today.
ABIGAIL DEJARNATT
Founder & CEO of Counteract USA
When Abigail DeJarnatt started college in 2019, God broke her heart for the Christians of her generation whose faith seemed so easily shaken by the lies of culture. During this time, God began to move in her and open her eyes to how His Word directly applies to culture and politics.
Flash forward to June 2021 and God brought a few girls together in a coffee shop to discuss and apply how the Bible directly speaks to the issues of our day. From there, Counteract USA was born and He’s been moving every day since. To Him be the glory!