SAVANNAH — Last month before elections, one local church hosted a “Missions Sunday” church service to support social conservatives running for office. With election results now in, it is clear evangelicals voted with their feet. With Bible-believers gaining victories in key local races, it is apparent at least one congregation had something to do with the outcome.
While Bethel Chapel may be located in a rural area of the Buckeye Bible Belt, there is no denying this church is ‘wired in’ and connected to its community.
“Just like we do for any other missionary from a foreign country, we gave a love offering to the families of GOD-fearing persons who are serving as missionaries to our local government,” says Pastor John Bouquet of Bethel Chapel. “We want to reach America. People are tired of complaining about the state of our governmental affairs. Our congregation has decided to be responsible and do something about it.
“Because we have a service dedicated to these civic missionaries, I have been able to form friendships with those who hold office. This is a seed sown over thirty-nine years in the same community, I have made a lot of friends over the years, and some enemies, but it is a seed that produces good fruit.”
Often critics believe the Great Commission only pertains to evangelism of the lost and not to civic government.
“Tell me, what part of society are we not supposed to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to? Right now, everybody is talking about COVID and government and as a whole, the Church does not want to do anything about either one. Our Biblical mandate is to be salt and light to a dying world, but contemporary Christendom does not even like the word ‘mandate.’ A more provocative question is, ‘Do we believe civic government is redeemable?’ The resounding answer should be, ‘Yes!’ And in a country where citizens have the ability to impact our society for Christ, it is crystal clear loving your neighbor includes civic government.”
“Tell me, what part of society are we not supposed to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to?….A more provocative question is, ‘Do we believe civic government is redeemable?’ The resounding answer should be ‘Yes!” And in a country where citizens have the ability to impact our society for Christ, it is crystal clear loving your neighbor includes the civic government.”
Pastor John Bouquet
As a result of the civic government missions mindset, Bouquet says other congregants have been inspired and are considering running for office. Several of the candidates who attended the church service ran for the first time and won.
Newcomers John Teevan for Ashland City School Board, Jason Chio for Ashland City Council Second Ward, and Reverend El Akuchie for Mansfield City Council Third Ward all ran for the first time and won. Financial offerings were taken up for Chio who was not present at the service.
Bethel Chapel’s civic engagement is catching on with other area churches. One nearby clergyman who has served as lead pastor for twelve years decided to run for the first time to fill a seat on the local school board; he won.
“Our ministry is a growing community-minded ministry,” says Pastor John Temple of Trinity Community Church in Loudonville. “We strive to serve the community in various ways. After participating in the Adopt-a Grade program for three years, I decided to run for school board.”
View the slideshow of October 3rd Sunday Missions Service for Civic Government at Bethel Chapel below.
Reverend John Bouquet has served 39 years as Bethel Chapel Pastor in Savannah, Ohio (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) 
Incumbent Doug Yoho won his race for Savannah Village Council (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) 
Incumbent Angela Woodward won her race for 4th Ward Ashland City Council (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) 
Incumbent Dennis Miller won his race for 3rd Ward Ashland City Council (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) 
October 3rd Bethel Chapel hosted a Missions Sunday Service for Civic Government. (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) 
Newcomer Reverend El Akuchie won his race for 3rd Ward Mansfield City Council (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel) October 3rd Bethel Chapel hosted a Missions Sunday Service for Civic Government. (Photo courtesy of Bethel Chapel)
Reverend John Temple’s church partners with other area churches to provide a summer vacation Bible School. Just recently his church became the host location for a new LifeWise Academy released time Bible program providing Bible instruction for public school students during school hours. Their efforts are reaching the next generation.
Time will tell what the future holds for the community. Pastor Bouquet points out, “After this election, our faith community was able to put Christians on three different school boards: Crestview, Ashland City, and Loudonville-Perrysville schools. We reshaped the Ashland City School Board by electing three social conservatives for the majority. We also elected three Bible-believers for Ashland City Council giving control of all five council seats to people who fear GOD.”
According to Bouquet, he is not interested in raising up politicians, he is interested in raising leaders.
Bouquet says this is how to get to Washington D.C. “You get to D.C. thru the local level one person at a time. The school board member becomes a councilman, a county commissioner, than a state representative. Before you know it the evangelical believer is running for Congress. It is long term plan that requires planting a seed of faith.”
View video of October 3rd Sunday Missions Service for Civic Government at Bethel Chapel Facebook by clicking image below.
Related articles:
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Isaiah Chapter 6, “Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying: ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us’ And I said, ‘Here am I send me!”
Pastor Bouquet and All Others,
God Bless you All for Uniting for our Communties, State, Country, and the World, and much much more! For the truth of Jesus and His Kingdom work here on earth as it is in Heaven! God has always had His remnant to Arise to HIS CALL for SOULS!!
I have joined with just a few that is consistant every week in prayer and you are answering the prayers of HIS righteous ones.
Thank-You for answering His Call,
Minister and Sister in Jesus Christ our Lord,
Sue