ASHLAND — According to Mayor Matt Miller, he was caught off guard by the national headlines he received after dedicating the City of Ashland to Christ during a sacred assembly last month.
“I have to tell you, we thought it was just a local event to try to usher in GOD’s presence into our community,” says Mayor Miller. “It has been very interesting to see how the rest of the world has picked up on some of those comments that were made that day. I do not think any of us ever imagined that anyone outside of Ashland would be paying attention.”
The Mayor describes his city as a devout community.
“We have an active ministerial association composed of different denominations where once a month they meet together and take on a variety of community projects. GOD placed on one of the pastors’ hearts that we should have a sacred assembly at a wide open prominent green space in Ashland. During the evening we spent time seeking GOD’s presence and asking for His forgiveness where needed and praying for His guidance as we move forward.”
Different ministry leaders, elected officials, pastors as well as the President of Ashland University took time to read portions of Scripture that GOD placed on their hearts and then they prayed about whatever related to the Scripture and the community.
Miller admits, “The truth is, I forgot about what my Scripture verse was going to be. I instead asked GOD to give me the words.” Miller told those gathered at the assembly, “To the extent that a mayor can do so, I want to open this city up for His blessing and His protection. I want to make the decisions GOD would make if He were the Mayor of the City of Ashland.”
Miller admits there is no doubt that there are many places in the country that would have a different reaction to his declaration.
“I will tell you the truth, because our community has so many different churches and so many people seeking to do GOD’s will, it (declaration) has not really brought on a lot of fanfare at all. To be honest, I have not heard any negative comments and I know not everyone in this community believes as I do and not everyone in the community loves what I said that night. But the truth is, GOD makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust; the good and the evil.’
“I have to tell you, we thought it (sacred assembly) was a local event to try to usher in GOD’s presence into our community. It has been very interesting to see how the rest of the world has picked up on some of those comments that were made that day. I do not think any of us ever imagined that anyone outside of Ashland would be paying attention.”
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller
Miller believes that if GOD blesses Ashland because of a few people seeking Him, then everyone benefit, those who know Him and those who do not.”
In the past, new construction has been stagnant in the city. The Ashland Mayor gives an exciting forecast ahead.
“GOD has been blessing us. In the last six months alone we have inked deals with developers to have more than four hundred and twenty-five new dwelling units built in our city the next three hundred sixty-five days. Also several businesses have also moved into the area bringing in hundreds of new jobs to the area. At this particular time, for whatever reason, GOD has decided to show us favor.”
Miller says that the blessing of protection will come from GOD when people seek the ways of the LORD.
“There is no reason as believers for us to be afraid. There is no reason to be afraid of political ramifications for standing up for GOD. GOD is our deliverer. Those who feel other than we do are not afraid to go to the mat for what they believe. But for some reason, we grow a little shy about what we are sharing in what we believe. We are on the side of truth.”
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Hebrews 13, “So we say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
View the video interview below of Mayor Matt Miller produced by the Indiana-based “The Well in Carmel” ministry.
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