Never have I witnessed such a blatant exposition of racism and violation of human rights.   Amendment 1 of the United States Constitution says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

On Saturday night, January 14, 2012, the NPower Ministry rented the Glorious Church in Raleigh, NC to have their Annual National New Year's Celebration, which fell on Martin Luther King weekend.   I was unaware that police officers sat outside during the service. There were about 60 people under the age of 35 in pure worship.  Minister Cory Wiley, an up and coming dynamic young man of God, brought the word.  Then the youth, in their way, went into musical praise. It was an awesome display of worship by our youth.  I was so happy.

At approxiamately 10:30 pm, two police officers entered the sanctuary, unsolicited by us.  And the first officer unsnapped his gun holster and pepper spray, stopped the music, shut down the service, and ordered us to leave the premises.  They actually stayed until everyone left and made sure the church was locked.  No one was fighting.  No one was arguing.  We were just singing!  The officer was yelling and screaming stating enough was enough and we had to leave.  Enough what?  We didn't understand.  The youth didn't say a word.  However, (the police officer) asked for ID while placing a hand on his gun.  Unbelieveable!!!

Scene: Two white police officers unlawfully entered a black church, located in a white neighborhood, shut down a church service in the middle of praise.  Gun holsters unsnapped, pepper spray ready, screaming, yelling, disrespectful, faces red with rage, ordered everyone OUT!   Demons were in rare form! The devil was MAD!  They closed a church service in an established church by an established ministry.

The constitution states we have the freedom to freely express our faith.  What happened here? Do we live in Russia? China? They don't even make nightclubs shut down.....but the church?  And I don't understand the officers' actions -- coming in the church and unsnapping his gun holster.   His job is only to keep the peace when it involves the church.  But the police was the one who disturbed the peace!!!

There is a separation of church and state.  Law enforcement does not have the right to serve a warrant on church property, let alone unsnap their gun holster and close the service. There was no disturbance, except WORSHIP!   For a minute, I thought it was the sixties again.  Is this what Jesus died for?  Is this what Martin Luther King died for?  It was unbelieveable that in 2012, African-Americans -- on MLK's birthday -- were ordered by citation and police enforcement to leave the church and told 'You can't do that here. The constitution does not apply to you.  You don't have rights.' What?

They not only disrepected the ministry, but they disrepected every person there.  They disrepected the sanctity of the church.  And above, beyond, and without question, they disrespected the one and true living God.  Too long the church has been passive.   We have rights, we have the authority, and we have an obligation to stand for the cause of Christ. The City of Raleigh-Wake County Law Enforcement made a horrific intentional flaunt of unlawful authority in violation of the United States first Amendment.

Subsequently,  I can't find any documentation or court case where law enforcement actually closed down a church service or entered a church uninvited, other than to keep peace.  Clearly, the City of Raleigh Law Enforcement was operating unlawfully, and I can't just lay down and take it without pushing back.

You are welcome to share your comments.  We truly need the prayers of the Saints.

God bless you,

Dr. Inetta J. Cooper
Founder of NPower Ministries
A Division of Women -N- Power Ministries



Editor's Note: To reach Dr. Cooper, you can write her at:  Women -N- Power Ministries, Post Office Box 456, Hemingway, SC 29554; Email her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or call her at 843.558.4986.  You can view the news story from an ABC News affiliate by clicking on the following link:  http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/video?id=8510330