|
Listen to article
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
SHELBY — Should the Shelby School Board ignore the Ohio State Board of Education and Ohio Attorney General when it comes to proposed changes to Title IX? Should the local school board contradict the original plain language and undermine the very protections for female students Title IX sought to provide? Shelby voters will decide November 7th on the direction they want their schools to go.
There is no doubt some educators are ‘using the bathroom’ to bring woke ideologies to indoctrinate children, but faith leaders think the safety and privacy of students, especially female students, is no laughing matter. A group of pastors recently released an open letter with public endorsements.
The clergy wrote, “Local school boards are vital in shaping the future of our communities. On the 2023 General Election ballot, four candidates are running for two of the five seats for Shelby School Board. Those candidates on the ballot include Rick Lewis, Heather Braun, Carl Ridenour, and Brad Ream.
“Based on his Biblical worldview, our strong conviction as forty-eight lead clergymen from diverse backgrounds is that Pastor Rick Lewis will best serve as School Board Member for Shelby City Schools in the upcoming November 7th, 2023 General Election. Pastor Lewis’ record demonstrates he will be a strong proponent of faith, family, and freedom.
“Presently Shelby City Schools are listed on the Indoctrination Site Map compiled by Protect Ohio Children. Specifically, Shelby City Schools promotes homosexual and bisexual behaviors. With that being said, it is our role as overseers over our congregations and community to ‘shepherd the sheep.’ While our congregations may not be located inside Shelby School District, we may have Shelby households attending our congregations. Proverbs 3:27 says “withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
“Rick Lewis would be a tremendous asset and addition to the Shelby board. He has been caring for the needs of families and ministering to the youth in the Shelby community for many years. Rick has high standards and believes that the schools in Shelby deserve the very best on all levels!”
Pastor Ben Gregg
“Rick Lewis would be a tremendous asset and addition to the Shelby board, says Plymouth Pastor, Ben Gregg. “In the forty years I have known Rick, I have observed that he has always had a heart for Shelby and a passion to serve others. Whether it is as a faithful pastor or realtor in the area, he is an effective communicator and can be counted on to get to the root of issues, and offer real solutions. Though Rick has not served on the school board before, he has been caring for the needs of families and ministering to the youth in the Shelby community for many years. Rick has high standards and believes that the schools in Shelby deserve the very best on all levels!
Pastor Rick Lewis has served as Senior Pastor of Shelby Connect Church for twenty-two years. He also works in real estate with Haring Realty and is a member of the Mansfield Board of Realtors.
A number of the clergy are also supporting local realtor and conservative Heather Braun for the second school board seat. On her website, Braun comments, “In our culture, I strongly believe kids are exposed to too much, too soon. Sexual topics are being introduced very early to young ones, and I do not see evidence that it benefits them in any way. I would like to ensure this stays out of our schools by keeping topics intended for the family at home. Teachers and parents should be a supportive team with full transparency.”
The two other school board candidates have publicly gone on record with their philosophies. Brad Ream does not believe Christians should determine policy in public schools and supports the separation of church and state. Carl Ridenour supports allowing men to use girls’ restrooms and girls’ shower facilities.
Ganges Pastor Kevin Evans says, “There are two board seats up for election. I hope Shelby voters cast their support for both Rick Lewis and Heather Braun. My prayers and efforts have been to see they both get elected. Shelby’s School Board policy pertaining to bathroom facilities based on gender identity is contrary to their biological sex and is nothing short of promoting gender dysphoria. They are constructing a gender house of cards-that is going to come tumbling down-and it cannot happen soon enough.”
The Shelby Christian Ministerial Association (SCMA) and Shelby Mayor Steve Schag have both endorsed Rick Lewis and Heather Braun for Shelby City School Board. In a statement released by Shelby Pastor Brad Gentille, He stated, “On behalf of SCMA, please thoughtfully consider supporting the schools and families of this wonderful city by electing Heather Braun and Rick Lewis. A vote for Braun/Lewis is a vote that represents Biblical Christian values.”
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Proverbs Fourteen, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
View the video produced by the Young American Foundation below of the Shelby City Board of Education ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ from last week. (Duration 1 hour)
Related articles:
