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MANSFIELD — While religious freedom around the world is skating on thin ice, faith at home is helping people to walk on water.
This week the Richland County Board of Commissioners paid tribute to “Religious Freedom Day” in a proclamation, “calling all Richland County citizens to reflect on the great blessings of our religious freedom and to practice religious tolerance among all who make up the diversity of Richland County’s population.”
The Board presented the proclamation to Reverend Raymond Cochran Jr. and Reverend Hank Webb.
Click on image to hear audio of the Proclamation being read.
Commissioner Tony Vero cited from the proclamation that “youth involvement in religious communities and groups may protect them against engaging in delinquent behaviors, and youth who participate in religious activity, such as prayer or reading religious content, are less likely to display antisocial behavior.”
Oasis of Love COGIC has spearheaded a neighborhood block party the last four years to reach out to youth and negate teen violence. Its Senior Pastor, Reverend Cochran Jr. believes the practice of Biblical faith is necessary.
“We have to educate ourselves on the First Amendment of freedom of religion. It is a God-given right and no man can take it away. God has given us a platform and it is our responsibility to openly practice our faith for the next generation to see.”
“We have to educate ourselves on the First Amendment of freedom of religion. It is a God-given right and no man can take it away. God has given us a platform and it is our responsibility to openly practice our faith for the next generation to see. ”
Pastor Raymond Cochran Jr.
Oasis of Love COGIC
A lot has happened over this past year for Pastor Cochran Jr. He became Senior Pastor six months ago and he and his wife are celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary.
“We really have a lot to be thankful for in this country,” says Pastor Hank Webb of Belmont Community Church. “While it is under constant assault, the religious freedom we enjoy is unmatched. Without the freedom to practice our faith, there is no doubt our communities would suffer.”
The Board of Commissioners’ proclamation pointed out that “faith-based programs show promise in regards to providing evidence-based research for reducing recidivism in correctional facilities, posing as a cost effective alternative to government-run programs.”
Pastor Webb can attest to the success of faith-based programs. His congregation supports the Starfish Program, which provides funds to enable individuals with life-controlling addiction to participate in the nationally-recognized Teen Challenge Program.
Historically, Religious Freedom Day has been acknowledged by the President of the United States since 1993. This year President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to prevent government interference in religion.
His Department of Education updated its guidance on “Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Schools.” His State Department also convened two ministerials to advance religious freedom, “to identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution.”
Pastor Webb recalled how his church hosted a Chinese missionary.
“The missionary told us that when he gave Bibles out to the people in China, the Chinese would tear out pages of the Bibles and secretly take them home to read in private. They did this so that the Communist Party could not confiscate the Bibles and throw them in jail.”
“We cannot forget there are people of faith around the world who are risking their lives for what they hold dear,” says Pastor Cochran Jr.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
View the video below produced by Open Doors of USA of the annual World Watch List regarding global religious persecution.
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