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NORTH CENTRAL OHIO– This month clergy across the Buckeye Bible Belt have been recognized in a Congressional resolution by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-12th District). A new video also puts a spotlight on their efforts in a tribute for Clergy Appreciation Month.
“Clergy members have certainly made an impact on our community,” said Rep. Balderson. “In an effort to commemorate years of dedicated work, on behalf of the citizens of Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, I am recognizing the month of October as ‘Clergy Appreciation Month.”
Clergy receiving the congressional resolution were: Pastor Louis Blevins of Mansfield Latter Rain COGIC, Pastor Steve Brenneman of Awakening Christian Center, and Pastor Steve Schag of Shelby Calvary Baptist,
Reverend Blevins has been in the ministry for thirty-four years and serves in leadership for the Ohio North First Jurisdiction of the COGIC. Reverend Brenneman formerly served as the Morrow County Sheriff for twelve years before serving in the pastorate. Reverend Schag is bi-vocational, serving as both Senior Pastor and Mayor of Shelby.
Pastors remain one of the integral firewalls in civilized society.
According to Rep. Balderson, “Local clergy have led the community to prayer during times of great tragedy and have provided hope to those around them. Clergy members make sure we celebrate life in all of its glory. The resilience of clergy members is demonstrated by their strength of devotion and steadfast conviction in a world that is ever-changing.”
This past March, clergymen from one hundred twenty congregations called the community to prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between April 5th- April 16th, state health officials dramatically changed their projections from a peak of ten thousand new cases in Ohio per day to a significantly lower one thousand-six hundred cases.
In addition, one hundred and fifty clergymen declared 2019 as the “Year of the Bible.”
As a tribute to area efforts, Frontlines Ohio Media has produced a nine-minute video chronicling a number of corporate clergy collaborations impacting the region over the past several years. View the video below.
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