History is largely a record of human strife, whether in physical conflict, intellectual debate or partisan divisions at the polls. The expansion of nations, the advance of powerful armies, the retreat and surrender of the conquered or the cowed—these are some of the artifacts gleaned from the study of human interaction, across the globe and throughout the centuries. Across the waters today, in Ukraine, Gaza and a score of other locations we see that human efforts have not achieved the ‘lasting peace’ so dearly longed for and which has so consistently eluded us.

In our country, for the most part, our conflicts are less likely to involve combat soldiers with bullets and tanks but the consequences of lost debates and abandoned legislative goals are no less deadly for the unborn, no less destructive for the disoriented young people destroyed by drugs, disease and purposeless despair. The stakes are as high as they have ever been but around us, we see much of society—including even Christian organizations and some churches—yielding ground to philosophies, practices and man-made laws that run counter to our Christian world view. What was vigorously opposed 20 years ago was more or less tolerated 10 years ago and is today embraced by some as ‘progressive’.

As others are retreating and hoping for ‘peace in our day’, the Christian Heritage Party and our allies in the culture wars are being called upon to show even greater diligence, even greater courage and even greater resolve. Knowing this to be true, I have resolved to step forward to seek the Leadership of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada. I am not naïve about the challenges that lie ahead, for CHP and for all who love freedom and righteousness. Dark days are not the days for retreat and moral compromise. On the contrary, adversity is the ground on which our faith is tested and God’s faithfulness proven.

My wife, Elaine, and I joined the Christian Heritage Party in 1987. Elaine rode the Greyhound bus from Smithers, in northern BC, to Hamilton, for the founding convention and served on the original EDA board in Skeena. In 2000, I stepped up my involvement in politics and since then I have been actively engaged in the hard work of party-building, of campaigning and of recruiting memberships and support, engaging in political debate and commentary and calling on friends and fellow-believers to stand up and be counted. We see the urgency of the issues, the moral ground that has been casually surrendered and the shortage of workers in the field and we have felt compelled to use much of our time, energy and resources to call out God’s people—those who are already CHP members and those who should be—to make a difference in our generation.

Over these past 14 years I have had the privilege of serving as a candidate, twice in provincial campaigns and four times in federal elections. I have served 5 years within the CHP as Deputy Leader, 5 years as a development director and over the past year and a half I have also accepted—on an interim basis—the dual roles of BC President and Leader of the Christian Heritage Party of BC. These last two roles I expect to pass on to others when the BC Council and CHP-BC hold their joint AGM this September. It has been a great privilege to work closely with the National Board, the Skeena-Bulkley Valley EDA, the BC Council and now with the Executive of CHP-BC, Canada’s first provincial wing of the CHP.

As we approach our Leadership Convention in Hamilton (Nov 5-8), I am preparing myself for the changes, the challenges and the responsibilities which shall fall upon me if I am elected Leader. This is not a step I have taken lightly. After prayer and reflection and with full awareness of the demands of this office, I am willing to accept the duties of this position, believing that Almighty God is able to give wisdom, direction, strength and gracious favour to His people as they submit themselves to His will and dedicate their lives to His purpose.

I invite every reader of this column to take some action today: to step forward in this battle for the culture and to press into the purposes of God to find where and how you can be most effective. Resolve in your heart to do more for this nation and for unborn generations. If you are not yet a member of CHP Canada, NOW is the time to join. If you are a member, are you doing all you can to grow and strengthen this party and to make CHP a household name? We have Better Solutions and YOU can help put them into action! If you have not yet done so, register for the Convention in Hamilton; meet some wonderful CHP members from coast-to-coast, participate in policy discussions and help choose the next CHP Leader. Find out how you can help in your own backyard. We need candidates, volunteers and officers and you may be led to serve in some capacity as you make yourself available. Step forward today and make a difference!

To learn more about my campaign or to offer your support, visit www.rodtaylor.ca

Note To Readers:

The Christian Heritage Party of Canada is conducting a Leadership Convention to elect the next Party Leader. Voting will take place in Hamilton, Ontario on November 6, 2014. All members in good standing are eligible to cast a ballot in person at the Convention on that date. Each candidate for CHP Leader is being offered space in our weekly Communiqué to introduce him/herself to our members and readers. Rod Taylor is the first candidate to register with Elections Canada and so has been given the first article. Others may follow in this space.

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