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MANSFIELD — Many are stunned after angry Black Lives Matters (BLM) rioters demolished a car belonging to a disabled motorist during the Columbus demonstrations. In response, a bi-vocational pastor who also serves as a bus driver believes the nation is on the road to ruin if it does not change its course and get back on track.
(Photo courtesy of Twitter/Conservative Tribune)
May 31st, a local motorist suffering from cerebral palsy was driving to get flowers and dinner when he unknowingly drove onto Broad and High Streets where rioting was taking place. Things went downhill after that.
“It scared the life out of me. I thought they were going to kill me,” said Eldon Hawkins, age 58 who accidentally backed into a bicyclist. The protesters began ruthlessly destroying his car and painting over it. Hawkin’s church helped raise money to repair the $8,000 worth of damage done to his car by the angry mob.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
“My heart went out to this man when I saw the video. As someone who drives professionally, I know that even the best drivers can become disoriented during stressful events,” says Pastor Dave Guild of the Mansfield Foursquare Church.
“This was a tragic incident. We need to have honest, sincere conversations about the sin of racism. But having said that, the conversation must be involve peace not hate and destruction.”
At least once a month Pastor Guild’s church is where the rubber meets the road. His congregation speaks with its actions bringing a different message to the surrounding neighborhood.
“People want to know what they can do to address the violence we see in society. Our fellowship of believers has chosen to be a light in the community by serving our neighborhood. We return evil with good.”
Pastor Dave GUild
Mansfield Foursquare Church
Mansfield Foursquare has a free food distribution every second Saturday between 10:00-12:00 PM in their parking lot. Last week Pastor Guild’s congregation was able to give food to 193 families representing almost 600 people.
“People want to know what they can do to address the violence we see in society. Our fellowship of believers has chosen to be a light in the community by serving our neighborhood. We return evil with good.”
According to Pastor Guild, “Racism at its root is a spiritual problem. We can attempt to educate and legislate it away, but it will still remain. We try to put a secular band-aid on a spiritual wound, and wonder why it won’t stick, and why the wound won’t heal. Healing will only take place when we, as individuals, come to the cross, turn from our sin, and seek the face of the One True Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And that is through relationship.”
Relationship is a two-way street, if only people in the country knew this.
The Columbus Police are asking anyone with information about the incident involving Mr. Hawkins on May 31st to contact Detective Nace at 614-645-2119 or email snace@columbuspolice.org or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
