Rob Schenck

{{primary sources section|date=January 2019}}

Robert Lenard Schenck and his identical twin brother, Paul, were born in 1958 in Montclair, New Jersey, to Chaim "Henry Paul" Schenck and Marjorie (née Apgar) Schenck. Schenck was named after his father's older brother who was a decorated B-17 bomber pilot in World War II and who lost his life in an air crash while serving in the Korean War. Schenck's father was born Jewish, raised in Manhattan and attended a Reform Temple on Long Island, and Schenck's mother was born Catholic in Brooklyn, raised non-religious (she converted to Judaism when marrying his father), and grew up in Northern New Jersey. Schenck grew up in Grand Island, New York."Rob Schenck Facebook Profile" by Rev. Rob Schenck,

As a self-described "rebellious teen",{{cite news|title=Reviewed by Abraham Verghese. Life Choices; After a doctor's murder, the son of an abortion provider takes a personal look at a national debate.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?destination=%2farchive%2fentertainment%2fbooks%2f2006%2f04%2f09%2flife-choices-span-classbankheadafter-a-doctors-murder-the-son-of-an-abortion-provider-takes-a-personal-look-at-a-national-debate-span%2f29163e26-7692-45f6-9664-454b326de2d4%2f%3f|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Washington Post Newsweek Interactive Co.|date=September 6, 2010|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=April 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409075152/https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?destination=%2Farchive%2Fentertainment%2Fbooks%2F2006%2F04%2F09%2Flife-choices-span-classbankheadafter-a-doctors-murder-the-son-of-an-abortion-provider-takes-a-personal-look-at-a-national-debate-span%2F29163e26-7692-45f6-9664-454b326de2d4%2F%3F|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} Schenck became involved in risky behavior. Then in 1974 at the age of 16, the boys became acquainted with the son of a United Methodist minister serving the Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island. After Paul was introduced to a circle of young, religious Christians, he decided to become a Christian. Schenck accompanied his brother to prayer meetings, and soon converted as well. Both brothers were baptized in the waters of the Niagara River, which forms the borders of Grand Island.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

While attending a youth prayer group in Grand Island, Schenck met Cheryl Smith, whom he married in 1977 after graduating from Grand Island High School. They have two children.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

From 2012 to 2016, Schenck served as chairman of the board of directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance (ECA). He was also chairman of ECA's Committee for Church and Society, the social witness arm of the alliance of ministers. In 2018, he became an advisor to the Office of the Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).{{cite web|date=April 11, 2018|title=Ross, Schenck Named Executive Advisors to Secretary General of World Evangelical Alliance|url=http://www.worldea.org/news/4857/ross-schenck-named-executive-advisors-to-secretary-general-of-world-evangelical-alliance|publisher=Worldea.org|accessdate=July 13, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013357/http://www.worldea.org/news/4857/ross-schenck-named-executive-advisors-to-secretary-general-of-world-evangelical-alliance|url-status=live}}

In 1988, Schenck, an Assembly of God minister took a long-distance walk to help people in Mexico who live and work in garbage dumps. While he visited Mexico City in 1982, he became aware of the plight of the "dump people". Schenck took a {{convert|2000|mi|km|adj=on}} walk from Buffalo, NY, through eight states and crossed the border at Laredo, Texas. He hoped to raise $1 million to build a clinic and recruit volunteers willing to help provide medical, dental, and construction services.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2tkrAAAAIBAJ&dq=rob+schenck&pg=2344,1145873|title=Kentucky New Era - Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com|accessdate=December 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011124945/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2tkrAAAAIBAJ&dq=rob+schenck&pg=2344%2C1145873|url-status=live}}

In 1992, during Buffalo's large-scale abortion clinic demonstrations, Schenck grabbed national and worldwide attention when photos and video were shot of him cradling a preserved human fetus, given the name "Tia" by a black anti-abortion group, because the fetus was believed to be African-American. Much was written and aired about the event.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} In an opinion editorial in the June 15 Buffalo News, Schenck responded to the criticism. According to the op-ed, Schenck believed that pro-choice supporters ignored the truth in favor of ideology, and conversely he believed that the fetus demonstrated the truth of his own views. "Most have never seen an abortion, let alone the result of it. Baby Tia takes the argument out of the abstract and into reality."REV. ROBERT L. SCHENCK -. "A LOOK BACK AT BABY TIA CONTROVERSY." Buffalo News. 1992.

In 1995, Schenck organized the first National Memorial for the Preborn and their Mothers and Fathers. This Memorial is a religious service against abortion.Dana Milbank. "The Marchers State Their Case: Alito v. 'Roe'." [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/23/AR2006012301504.html] The Washington Post. Washington Post Newsweek Interactive Co. 2006. This quickly became a prominent anti-abortion event held inside the US Capitol complex in Washington, DC. Originally a program of the National Clergy Council, the event has now been renamed the National Pro-Life Clergy Conference and is sponsored by the National Pro-Life Religious Council.National Memorial for the Preborn and their Mothers and Fathers Removed From Capitol Buildings. [http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/218132155.html] Standard Newswire, January 17, 2008.{{Cite web |title=Upcoming National Pro-Life Events |url=https://www.priestsforlife.org/eventsnew.aspx |website=www.priestsforlife.org}}{{Cite web |title=Rob Schenck DC Ministry. Blurbwire.com |url=http://www.blurbwire.com/topics/Rob_Schenck::sub::D_C_Ministry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708074227/http://www.blurbwire.com/topics/Rob_Schenck::sub::D_C_Ministry |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-02-22}}

As of 2003, Schenck was a member of the National Pro-Life Religious Council."National Religious Leaders Call for Continuous Prayer to Overturn Roe vs. Wade." U.S. Newswire. US Newswire. 2003. He participated in the events surrounding Terri Schiavo's death. Schenck traveled to Florida to try to prevent Schiavo from being allowed to die and publicly called for police to prevent the same."Coalition Calls Upon Bush to Save Schiavo's Life by Using PolicePowers; Press Conferences in Washington, Tallahassee March 23.". US Newswire. 2005. He was also a signatory of a letter to President George Bush and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush by national anti-abortion leaders."Open Letter from 11th Hour Coalition to save Terri Schiavo's life to President Bush and Gov. Bush" US Newswire. 2005.{{better source needed|date=July 2023}} In 2005, Faith and Action served as a clearinghouse for donations to the family of Susan Torres, a brain-dead pregnant woman being kept on life support so that she could give birth.{{Cite web |last=Brant |first=Martha |date=2005-07-31 |title=A DYING MOTHER'S FINAL PRAYER |url=https://www.newsweek.com/dying-mothers-final-prayer-121289 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}

Some time after 2010, Schenck changed his mind about abortion, stating that banning abortion would cause more harm than good, and opposed the effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. He concludes his May 31, 2019, Op-Ed for the New York Times "No doubt, many of my former allies will call me a turncoat. I don’t see it that way. I still believe that every abortion is a tragedy and that when a woman is pregnant, bringing the child into the world is always ideal. Reality, though, is different from fantasy. I wish every child could be fully nurtured and cared for, and could experience all the wonderful possibilities that life can offer."{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/opinion/abortion-schenck.html|title = Opinion | I Was an Anti-Abortion Crusader. Now I Support Roe v. Wade.|newspaper = The New York Times|date = May 30, 2019|last1 = Schenck|first1 = Rob|access-date = May 31, 2019|archive-date = May 31, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190531020712/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/opinion/abortion-schenck.html|url-status = live}}

Schenck later stated that he was once part of a group that paid Norma McCorvey (1947–2017) — also known as Jane Roe in the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision — to lie and say that she had changed her mind and joined anti-abortion movements.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.5576923/we-used-her-minister-regrets-paying-roe-vs-wade-plaintiff-to-speak-out-against-abortion-1.5576924 |title='We used her': Minister regrets paying Roe vs. Wade plaintiff to speak out against abortion |date=May 20, 2020 |publisher=CBC Radio |access-date=May 20, 2020 |quote= |archive-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521115053/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.5576923/we-used-her-minister-regrets-paying-roe-vs-wade-plaintiff-to-speak-out-against-abortion-1.5576924 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Graham|first=Ruth|date=May 22, 2020|title=How the Anti-Abortion Movement Is Responding to Jane Roe's "Deathbed Confession"|url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/05/jane-roe-norma-mccorvey-confession-anti-abortion.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2021|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612145909/https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/05/jane-roe-norma-mccorvey-confession-anti-abortion.html}} Having denounced the anti-abortion movement in 2019, Schenck stated in the 2020 documentary AKA Jane Roe that McCorvey was paid to pose as an anti-abortion rights activist, and that "What we did with Norma was highly unethical".[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/anti-abortion-movement-paid-jane-roe-thousands-switch-sides-documentary-n1210826 "Anti-abortion rights movement paid 'Jane Roe' thousands to switch sides, documentary reveals"] Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News'', May 20, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Serjeant |first1=Jill |title=Plaintiff in Roe v. Wade U.S. abortion case says she was paid to switch sides |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-abortion-jane-roe/plaintiff-in-roe-v-wade-u-s-abortion-case-says-she-was-paid-to-switch-sides-idUSKBN22V33D |website=Reuters |accessdate=May 24, 2020 |date=May 19, 2020 |quote=The Rev. Robert Schenck, one of the evangelical pastors who worked with McCorvey after her conversion to Christianity in the mid-1990s, looked stunned as he was shown her interview as part of the documentary. Schenck said the anti-abortion movement had exploited her weaknesses for its own ends and acknowledged she had been paid for her appearances on the movement’s behalf. “What we did with Norma was highly unethical,” Schenck said in the documentary. “The jig is up.” In a separate blog post on Tuesday, Schenck said he hoped people would watch “AKA Jane Roe.” “You’ll see me express profound regret for how movement leaders (like me) mistreated Norma,” he wrote in the blog. “Her name and photo would command some of the largest windfalls of dollars for my group and many others, but the money we gave her was modest. More than once, I tried to make up for it with an added check, but it was never fair.” |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523160954/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-abortion-jane-roe/plaintiff-in-roe-v-wade-u-s-abortion-case-says-she-was-paid-to-switch-sides-idUSKBN22V33D |url-status=live }}

In August 1994, in order to minister to national decision makers, Schenck and family moved to Washington, D.C. His first ministry there was to organize a new church. He attracted a core group of worshippers and created what became the National Community Church. He served as pastor for over a year until deciding to focus on government officials. In the beginning of 1996, when Mark Batterson took over as pastor the church had around 30 people in attendance.{{Cite web |last=Kapralos |first=Krista |date=March 5, 2013 |title=Is National Community Church's Mark Batterson the Most Innovative Pastor in America? |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/03/05/is-national-community-churchs-mark-batterson-the-most-innovative-pastor-in-america/ |access-date=December 13, 2022 |website=Washingtonian |language=en-US}}

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Schenck was a guest preacher at a Sunday worship service at the Washington National Cathedral.{{cite web | access-date=February 9, 2016 | archive-date=March 28, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328005641/http://www.cathedral.org/pdfs/HE20151129.pdf | url=http://www.cathedral.org/pdfs/HE20151129.pdf | title=The Holy Eucharist The First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015 • 11:15 am Washington National Cathedral | url-status=dead}} Schenck was invited to speak because of his opposition to gun violence and the documentary, The Armor of Light, focusing on him, which was screened at the church following the service.{{Cite web |date=November 24, 2015 |title=Washington National Cathedral to Feature Special Guest Preacher Rev. Rob Schenck on Sunday During Holy Eucharist Service |url=https://cathedral.org/press-room/washington-national-cathedral-feature-special-guest-preacher-rev-rob-schenck-sunday-holy-eucharist-service/ |access-date=December 13, 2022 |website=Washington National Cathedral |language=en-US}}

Rev. Schenk used a ritual of blessing and prayer to seek divine guidance for the committee and the jurist during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justices Samuel AlitoMinisters Say They Blessed Seats Ahead of Alito Hearing”[https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB113649645107138940-Ku05eyOWs5xFbqD33aaAarliwqo_20060112.html] Wall Street Journal, Jan 5, 2006 and Sonia Sotomayor."A Supreme blessing.(CULTURE)(HOT BUTTON)(Column)."[https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-201611911 The Washington Times]{{dead link|date=July 2021}} (Washington, DC). News World Communications, Inc. 2009. 28 September 2010. A similar anointing and prayer ritual was used to seek God's guidance for President Barack Obama, when Schenck anointed the doorway to the inauguration through which the president-elect would walk to the Inaugural stage. This was part of a 19-day effort of prayer and fasting for Obama and his presidency.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121105145729/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1636023081.html "Obama Used a Door Anointed with Oil From Jerusalem to Enter Inaugural State."] The Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. 2009. This was a continuation of official prayer for the new president that began with President George W. Bush's second term."Christians to Begin Inauguration Day Thanking God for Bush Re- Election." US Newswire. 2005.

Created in 1995, his Ten Commandments Project has given over 400 plaques of the Ten Commandments to members of Congress and other highly placed officials, including former presidents Clinton and Bush. Special delegations made up of clergy and lay people make the presentations during ceremonies held in the recipients' offices. The agenda included a short speech which describes religion as the foundational basis of morality and law, a reading of the Commandments in their entirety, and prayers. The official was given an inscribed wooden plaque on which is mounted two stone polymer tablets containing a summary of the Ten Commandments. Recipients were urged to "display and obey" the Ten Commandments.Michelle Boorstein - Washington Post Staff Writer. "Group Aims to Unveil Ten Commandments; Tablets Under Wraps Near Supreme Court." The Washington Post. Washington Post Newsweek Interactive Co. 2006.

In May 2009, Schenck joined Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt and other Ohio leaders help relocate a Ten Commandments sculpture. The 3-foot by 3-foot granite sculpture, which weighs 850 pounds, is one of four monuments removed by federal court order from the fronts of public schools in rural Adams County, Ohio. The monument was placed in a prominent position on private property. The monument is identical to the one situated in the front of the Faith and Action ministry center on Capitol Hill."On a mission. (Citizen Journalism: Faith) (Bulletin Board) (Column)." The Washington Times (Washington, DC). News World Communications, Inc. 2009.

In 2003, Schenck helped organize a supportive demonstration outside of the Alabama Judicial building, seat of the state's Supreme Court when Roy Moore was chief justice.{{cite web|title=CNN.com - Transcripts|url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/bn/date/2003-08-27/segment/02|website=CNN|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806195511/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0308/27/bn.02.html|url-status=live}} By that time, Schenck had a long cooperative association with Moore"Alabama Chief Justice Applauded On Display Of Ten Commandments; Similar Monument To Be Erected Across Street From Supreme Court." U.S. Newswire. US Newswire. 2001. who refused to relocate a granite monument to the historic basis of the law that included the Ten Commandments. The monument was eventually ordered moved by US District Judge Myron Thompson. When US marshals were dispatched to supervise the removal, Schenck and several others surrounded the monument, knelt and started to pray. He was arrested and held for 5½ hours while the monument was moved."National Clergy Council President Arrested for Protecting Ten Commandments." U.S. Newswire. US Newswire. 2003. Schenck was interviewed on numerous television shows regarding the events.Brit Hume, Jim Angle, Major Garrett. "Ten Commandment Monument In Alabama Removed From Public Viewing; Developments In The California Recall Election Including Cruz Bustamant'es Association With A Racist Group." Special Report with Brit Hume (Fox News Network). 2003.

During September 2010, Schenck opposed the proposed burning of the Koran by pastor Terry Jones. In an interview with CBN on September 8, Schenck said this particular demonstration, while possibly warranted by common values and certainly permissible under the Constitution, violated Christian morality.{{cite web | access-date=October 28, 2010 | archive-date=November 8, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108023549/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/September/Pastors-Burn-a-Koran-Day-Sparks-Intl-Uproar/ | url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/September/Pastors-Burn-a-Koran-Day-Sparks-Intl-Uproar/ | title=Pastor's 'Burn a Koran Day' Sparks Int'l Uproar | url-status=dead}}{{cite web | access-date=October 28, 2010 | archive-date=January 7, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107122210/http://www.worldevangelicals.org/news/article.htm?id=3076&cat=main | url=http://www.worldevangelicals.org/news/article.htm?id=3076&cat=main | title=World Evangelical Alliance Steps Into Quran Burning Fray | url-status=dead}} He also stated objections to fallout in religious relations; "He's not just burning Korans, he's also burning bridges that we were trying to build for years with the Islamic community".{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/koran-burning-outrage-builds-as-muslims-mark-eid/395563|title=Koran Burning Outrate Builds as Muslims Mark Eid|newspaper=Jakarta Globe|accessdate=July 13, 2018|archive-date=April 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405175134/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/koran-burning-outrage-builds-as-muslims-mark-eid/395563|url-status=live}}

Schenck represented the National Clergy Council in speaking personally with Jones, and asked Jones if, in a show of good faith, he would surrender custody of the Korans at the center of the controversy to Schenck's colleague, the Reverend Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition. Jones agreed to do so. As a condition of his cancellation, Jones requested the relocation of Park51. Schenck attempted to broker a meeting between Jones and Imam Faisal Rauf.{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Pastor-puts-off-Koran-burning-plan-to-meet-NY-Imam/articleshow/6533946.cms|title=Pastor puts off Koran burning plan, to meet NY Imam|date=September 11, 2010|accessdate=July 13, 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713102557/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Pastor-puts-off-Koran-burning-plan-to-meet-NY-Imam/articleshow/6533946.cms|url-status=live}} However, a meeting never occurred and Jones did not burn Korans on September 11.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/friend_pastor_who_planned_quran_v61htXgRQOdJV53BjF6DSN|title=Pastor Behind Koran Burning Plan Flies to New York|newspaper=The New York Post|accessdate=July 13, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018012202/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/friend_pastor_who_planned_quran_v61htXgRQOdJV53BjF6DSN|url-status=live}}

On May 28, 2014, Houston, Texas Mayor Annise Parker approved the controversial Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which included a broad range of extenuating rights for the LGBT community without an exemption for religious organizations.{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Mike |url=https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Council-passes-equal-rights-ordinance-5510672.php |title=Council passes equal rights ordinance - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=May 29, 2014 |accessdate=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713141319/https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Council-passes-equal-rights-ordinance-5510672.php |url-status=live }} Opponents of the ordinance collected signatures to put the Bill to a public vote. On July 3, 2014, over 50,000 signatures were delivered to the city, which invalidated around 35,000 of the signatures and canceled the vote. On August 7, 2014, Houston citizens' groups filed suit to block implementation of HERO, which was put on hold.

In mid-2014, Mayor Parker's legal team subpoenaed sermons and sermon notes of local clergy members who had opposed the HERO ordinance. The subpoena required the clergy that "all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to HERO, the Petition, Mayor Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity prepared by, delivered by, revised by, or approved by you or in your possession" be turned over to the mayor's lawyers for review.{{cite web |last=Driessen |first=Katherine |url=https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/City-subpoenas-pastors-sermons-in-equal-rights-5822403.php |title=City subpoenas pastors' sermons in equal rights ordinance case - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=October 14, 2014 |accessdate=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713103012/https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/City-subpoenas-pastors-sermons-in-equal-rights-5822403.php |url-status=live }} This caused a backlash around the country from religious freedom advocates as well as concerned citizens. As President of the National Clergy Council, Schenck (accompanied by other pastors) met with Mayor Parker to request that her legal order be withdrawn.{{cite web | access-date=February 9, 2016 | archive-date=September 7, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907182921/http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/mayor-parker-directs-city-legal-department-withdraw-pastor-subpoenas | url=http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/mayor-parker-directs-city-legal-department-withdraw-pastor-subpoenas | title=MAYOR PARKER DIRECTS CITY LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO WITHDRAW PASTOR SUBPOENAS | url-status=dead}} Shortly thereafter, the mayor instructed her attorneys to withdraw the subpoenas.{{cite web |author=Patrick J. Mahoney |url=http://canadafreepress.com/article/houston-mayor-withdraws-subpoenas-of-pastors |title=Houston Mayor Withdraws Subpoenas of Pastors |publisher=Canadafreepress.com |date=October 29, 2014 |accessdate=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713104151/https://canadafreepress.com/article/houston-mayor-withdraws-subpoenas-of-pastors |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Schenck was the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, The Armor of Light.{{cite web|url=http://www.armoroflightfilm.com/#_about-the-film|title=The Armor Of Light|website=THE ARMOR OF LIGHT|accessdate=July 13, 2018|archive-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621015725/http://www.armoroflightfilm.com/#_about-the-film|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4506722/|title=The Armor of Light|date=October 30, 2015|accessdate=July 13, 2018|website=IMDb.com|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622180455/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4506722/|url-status=live}} In this film, directed by Abigail Disney,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2999307/bio|title=Abigail Disney|website=IMDb|accessdate=July 13, 2018|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211143559/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2999307/bio|url-status=live}} Schenck discusses the topic of guns, and the anti-abortion Christian community's response to America's gun culture and gun violence. The movie was called a "vital colloquy on whether we shape our lives through fear or with love" by the Los Angeles Times.{{cite web |author=Sheri Linden |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-armor-of-light-review-20151030-story.html |title=Christian, anti-abortion but pro gun rights? 'The Armor of Light' examines |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 29, 2015 |accessdate=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708133211/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-armor-of-light-review-20151030-story.html |url-status=live }} In November 2015, Schenck preached at morning worship at the Washington National Cathedral where the documentary was screened following the service.

As of 2021, Schenck served as president of a non-profit organization known as The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute.{{Cite web|title=The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute|url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/30-0938979|url-status=live|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=GuideStar|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200154/https://www.guidestar.org/profile/30-0938979}} In 2019, the organization paid Schenck $147,000 from a budget of $422,612.{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/300/938/2019-300938979-202032489349300218-9.pdf|title=IRS Form 990, 2019.}} In 2022, the budget decreased to $188,487, and Schenck received $56,665 in compensation.[https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2022/300/938/2022-300938979-202321659349200717-Z.pdf]

Schenck founded a nonprofit organization named Faith and Action.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/us/nationalspecial2/christian-conservatives-embrace-inauguration.html|title=Christian Conservatives Embrace Inauguration|first=David D.|last=Kirkpatrick|work=The New York Times |date=January 20, 2005|via=NYTimes.com}} He headed the group from 1995 to 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/08/religious-right-supreme-court-00044739|title='Operation Higher Court': Inside the religious right's efforts to wine and dine Supreme Court justices|date=July 8, 2022|website=POLITICO}}

On December 8, 2022, the House Committee on the Judiciary convened a hearing, "Undue Influence: Operation Higher Court and Politicking at SCOTUS", to determine covert activity and influence on members of the U.S. Supreme Court by Faith and Action (now Faith and Liberty) under Schenck's leadership.[https://judiciary.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=5075 "Hearings Undue Influence: Operation Higher Court and Politicking at SCOTUS"] December 08, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.[https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-committee-hear-testimony-alleged-supreme-court-leak-2022-12-08/ "Christian advocate tells Congress of 2014 U.S. Supreme Court leak"] Gram Slattery and Nate Raymond, Reuters. December 8, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023. Schenck was called to testify. Schenck had previously alleged that Justice Samuel Alito had leaked news about an upcoming Supreme Court decision in 2014. (Alito has denied the allegation.) Schenck had also claimed to have undertaken a secret campaign to influence conservative Supreme Court justices for over a decade. At the hearing, Rep. Jim Jordan aggressively questioned Schenck's credibility, while Rep. Tom McClintock called him "'a pathetic grifter'".{{Cite web |title=Evangelical minister who sought to influence Supreme Court comes under withering criticism |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/evangelical-minister-who-sought-to-influence-supreme-court-comes-under-withering-criticism/ar-AA156Fe9 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://tdbi.org/ The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute]
• [http://www.operationserve.org/ Operation Serve International]
• [http://www.heartsforthehomeless.org/ Hearts for the Homeless]
• [http://www.armoroflightfilm.com/ The Armor of Light Film]
• {{C-SPAN|43473}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Schenck, Rob}}

Category:1958 births

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