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MANSFIELD — The faith community in the Buckeye Bible Belt has been a model for other communities around the world. As religious freedoms are being completely cancelled, one lesson North Central Ohio churches are demonstrating during precarious times is: “Do not stop.” Historically the region has been a light for many to see in more ways than one.
In 2014, less than one week following a declaration by Richland County Board of Commissioners to observe “Religious Freedom Day,” reports about a phenomena occurring in Mansfield were broadcasted by regional media outlets. Cleveland media reported that mystifying lights in the skies were seen over Mansfield.
“I remember that day,” recalls Pastor Jerry Laudermilk. “I remember taking pictures of these light pillars in the sky that morning. There were beams of light which appeared to be coming from the ground and shooting skyward.”
Light pillars in Ohio are rare and can only be seen in specific weather conditions: frigid cold air, little wind, and moisture in the air. Meteorologists say these pillars are vertical columns of light that form when artificial or natural light bounces off the faces of ice crystals floating relatively close to the ground.
The ironic thing is Laudermilk was one of the faith leaders meeting with the Richland County Board of Commissioners just a week prior. It was the first time the Commissioner Board has recognized religious freedom formally in a proclamation.
“I was discussing with the Commissioner Board the success we were having with a church-led initiative ‘Light our City’ outreach program. The outreach at its peak involved 300 volunteers and 45 local churches cooperating together each year to assist schools, impoverished neighborhoods, city parks and service agencies. It seems when our light shines before men, our good works really can be seen and give glory to our Father in Heaven,” Laudermilk laughs.
“I was discussing with the Commissioner Board the success we were having with a church-led initiative ‘Light our City’ outreach program. The outreach at its peak involved 300 volunteers and 45 local churches cooperating together each year to assist schools, impoverished neighborhoods, city parks and service agencies. It seems when our light shines before men, our good works really can be seen and give glory to our Father in Heaven.”
Pastor Jerry Laudermilk
Pastor Laudermilk was recognized by Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker in 2018 for his efforts before Laudermilk announced he would be leaving the area to serve as pastor in Tennessee.
The outgoing clergyman was the chief catalyst behind the “Light our City” outreach program in the Greater Mansfield area. Other communities from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe replicated the concept of church collaboration to reach the community according to Laudermilk.
“I will miss working with the clergy and miss all of the faithful in Richland County. There were a lot of good memories here, the clergy really have something special in that community,” Laudermilk says.
“The Church is called by Christ to be salt and light to the world around us. In times of moral decay, the church is be the salt that preserves goodness and exemplifies to others. In these darkened days we live in, our job is to illuminate the way forward as beacons in this darkness. Where the light shines, hope dawns.”
When light shines, it certainly can be a sign and a wonder. A reminder Heaven is in control.
View slideshow of local pictures of the light pillar phenomena that occurred January 21-22, 2014.
Scene of Mansfield First Presbyterian (Photo courtesy of Jamie Amsbaugh) 
Scene from Mansfield road ramp (Photo courtesy of Jamie Amsbaugh) 
Scene from Mansfield neighborhood (Photo courtesy of Lisa Hernandez) 
Scene in Ontario (Photo courtesy of Raejean Yarger Johnson & Cory Johnson) 
Scene from Ontario (Photo courtesy of Steve Cook) 
Scene from Mansfield neighborhood (Photo courtesy of Lisa Hernandez)
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The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Psalms 19, “The heavens declare the glory of GOD, the skies provlaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. “
