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GUEST COLUMN: We still remember the motto: “With GOD all things are possible.”

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Ohio state motto at Statehouse Rotunda (Photo courtesy of screenshot)

Twenty-one years ago, a Governor from the Midwest found himself in a tight spot. He had chosen to display the motto from his state on the grounds of the restored Statehouse. Only problem was the ACLU really hated that motto because it flowed from the Book of Matthew. Ohio had been without a state motto for a number of years when in 1959 a twelve-year-old boy started a petition campaign for a new motto, “With GOD all things are possible.” The idea caught on and the State Legislature adopted the new motto.

Dave Zanotti
(Photo courtesy of American Policy RoundTable)

In 2000, the ACLU decided the time was up on that motto. So they sued in Federal Court to have that “religious expression” declared unconstitutional. They won their case in Federal District Court and won their first appeal before a three-judge panel in the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court. The Governor and Attorney General had a decision to make. Should they appeal again to the full panel of the U.S. Circuit Court and perhaps appeal all the way to the Supreme Court, or should they accept the “inevitable” reality that the ACLU had won the day?

We had a decision to make as well. Should we rally the nation in support of the Ohio motto and take on the ACLU and the secular media? Could an honest historic and constitutional debate be won in public and in the courts for this matter of free speech and religious liberty?

We began the battle in defense of GOD-given rights and the U.S. Constitution. We produced radio programs in support of the motto. We released a brief documentary titled “Remember the Motto.” We distributed thousands of bumper stickers that said the same. By April, polling data revealed that 62% of Ohioans were aware of the litigation and 88% of people who knew of the case were in full support of the motto.

By December of 2000, Attorney General Betty Montgomery acknowledged that over fifteen-thousand people representing thousands more had directly contacted her urging full support for the defense of the state motto. Even the U.S. Congress weighed in, passing a bipartisan joint resolution defending the Ohio motto by an overwhelming 333-27 majority. Shortly thereafter, the ACLU suffered a crushing defeat as the full bench of the Sixth Circuit Court overturned the lower court decision and declared the motto constitutional by a 9-4 majority vote.

We did not have much in our hand when that battle began. We gave GOD what we had and then just started walking out the task focusing on the reality that “With GOD all things are possible.”

We had a decision to make as well. Should we rally the nation in support of the Ohio motto and take on the ACLU and the secular media? Could an honest historic and constitutional debate be won in public and in the courts for this matter of free speech and religious liberty?

“We had a decision to make as well. Should we rally the nation in support of the Ohio motto and take on the ACLU and the secular media? Could an honest historic and constituional debate be won in public and in the courts for this matter of free speech and religious liberty?”

Dave Zanotti, President/CEO of the American Policy Roundtable and The Public Square

Today the attacks upon the very fabric of this nation are all around us. In a recent one-hundred page document a Task Force commissioned by the National Archives concluded that America must “reimagine the Rotunda” where the original documents of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are on display. Giving full credit to the discredited “1619 Project,” the Task Force became an echo chamber of the crusade for Critical Race Theory. They expressed serious concerns over people being traumatized by viewing the Declaration, the Constitution , and the historic paintings of the National Archives.

For over forty-years we have studied America’s founding documents and the principles upon which they stand. We seek to articulate and defend those principles every single day across the nation on The Public Square, at the Statehouse, the schoolhouse, and in the courts. Today America is facing the massive tidal wave driving Critical Race Theory and the godless equation into nearly every classroom and media outlet in the land.

We all see it. The ocean of media power driving the deconstruction of America seems overwhelming. The rising waves of reconstructed socialism are everywhere. That ocean is so big, and our boat looks pretty small. Any oddsmaker would declare the assignment of defending the first principles of American Liberty to be a mission impossible.

But we have heard all that before. We still remember the motto: “With GOD all things are possible.”

Dave Zanotti serves as President/CEO of the American Policy Roundtable and The Public Square® Media Network. Article excerpt taken from this month’s “Four Minutes for America.

The Bottom Line:

Matthew 19 says, “Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.”

Ark Encounter to add Tower of Babel to its attraction to address racism issue (VIDEO)

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CINCINNATI — This year crowds are flooding back to the massive life-sized display of Noah’s Ark. Attendance at Ark Encounter has rebounded from last year’s pandemic and has equaled 2019’s record year.

“Our post pandemic numbers are better than our pre pandemic tours, and that is without our bus tours,” says Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis (AIG).

A depiction of the proposed Tower of Babel exhibit. (Photo courtesy of Answers in Genesis)

Celebrating its five-year anniversary this past summer, the Ark Encounter announced it will add a Tower of Babel exhibit and begin fundraising next year. The new exhibit will help people understand what genetics research and the Bible say about the origins of the people groups of the world and tackle the racism issue.

“The Tower of Babel was an event in the Bible after the Flood where man rebelled against GOD and GOD divided the people and gave different languages and people spread across the Earth forming different cultural and ethnic groups,” says Mr. Ham.

Ham hopes to demonstrate to people that all the different people groups came from a a common ancestry.

“Even in a secular scientific literature, they have been saying for years that there is only one race and the differences on the outside are minor and the major differences are cultural and the Bible’s history explains those cultural differences.

“The Tower of Babel was an event in the Bible after the Flood where man rebelled against GOD and GOD divided the people and gave different languages and people spread across the Earth forming different cultural and ethnic groups. Even in secular scientific literature, they have been saying for years that there is only one race and the differences on the outside are minor.”

Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis

Ham hopes to bridge those differences with the Tower of Babel exhibit.

“The real person is on the inside and we need to be teaching people that. We want them to understand, we are all one family, we are all one family.”

Picture of new playground (Photo courtesy of Answers in Genesis)

Answers in Genesis owns the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter and employs seven hundred full-time staff and six hundred seasonal staff. Ham says that his research shows that over ninety-two percent of those who visit the two attractions are coming from outside Kentucky. Ultimately, the attractions have added millions of dollars to the state’s treasury, local schools and libraries.

“A man who manages ten hotel properties in the region recently thank us for being great partners and driving immense amounts of tourism to the Northern Kentucky region. The head of tourism agency of North Kentucky reported an incredible number of visitors coming to the Ark and Creation Museum and that hotel occupancy in the region is reflecting that,” says Ham.

In May 2021,nearby Florence, Kentucky hotels had a seventy-seven percent occupancy compared to the national average of fifty-nine percent.

View the 2021 promotional video of the Ark Encounter below.

See related articles:

Ark Encounter, Creation Museum chosen as America’s top religious museums (VIDEO)
Guest Column: Ark Encounter unveils $3 million virtual-reality tour taking visitors back in time (VIDEO)

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in The Book of Genesis, “Therefore its name was called Babel, because the the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.”

After Mandel visit, Board of Elections responds to clergy letter against voting machines

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MANSFIELD — After two months of silence, a group of local clergy received a helping hand from Josh Mandel during a recent visit. Seventy-two clergy advised the Richland County Board of Elections to pull the plug on their county’s Dominion voting machines. The Board of Elections finally responded to the clergy’s certified letter two days after the U.S. Senate Candidate’s public criticism of the controversial voting machines.

“If we are going to have fair and free elections in the future, we need to make significant change and reform,” U.S. Senate Candidate Josh Mandel said to those in attendance for a recent faith and freedom rally at Mansfield Baptist Temple.

Pictured are several of the 72 clergy who sent letter to Richland Board of Elections: James Spencer, Les Farley, & Chad Hayes.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“First we need photo I.D. in every state. A photo I.D. is used for many everyday purposes.”…”In order for John Kasich to attend the Democrat National Convention, he had to show a photo I.D. Second, we have to get rid of these Dominion voting machines. Seventy-two pastors-these are strong courageous leaders, they put their name on a letter to the Richland County Board of Elections saying ‘get rid of these Dominion voting machines.’ It has been two months that they (Board of Elections) have ignored these pastors.”….”Whenever you see a bureaucrat who is against getting an audit, they obviously have something to hide. ”

Due to recent issues regarding the transparency and machine performance, the credibility of Dominion voting machines has been in question. In their letter, the Richland County clergy noted that Dominion arranged an anti-transparency contract with DuPage County, Illinois to resist public record inquiries of its machines. In May 2020, Dominion refused access to its voting machines for a Maricopa County, Arizona forensic audit.

Last month in Pennsylvania, it was discovered Dominion voting machines were rejecting Republican ballots in Fayette County. In Luzerne County, Republican ballots were all mislabeled as Democrat ballots on Dominion electronic screens at polling locations.

Because of Dominion Voting Systems’ appearance of bias, clergy pointed out Stark County, Ohio rejected the purchase of more than fourteen-hundred new Dominion machines after local residents rallied against them.

“We have to get rid of these Dominion voting machines. Seventy-two pastors, these are strong courageous leaders, they put their name on a letter to the Richland County Board of Elections saying ‘get rid of these Dominion voting machines.’ It has been two months that they (Board of Elections) have ignored these pastors.”…”Whenever you see a bureaucrat who is against getting an audit, they obviously have something to hide. “

Josh Mandel, Former Ohio State Treasurer & candidate for U.S. Senate

Following the Mandel rally, Jane Zimmerman, Deputy Director of the Richland County Board of Elections, wrote Frontlines Ohio saying “The issues cited within the clergy letter had no relation to any election that was conducted here in Richland County. It would be not only irresponsible but impossible for our Board to respond to alleged irregularities of which we had no participation in.”

One of the leading clergy co-signors, Pastor Les Farley responded.

“As Mr. Mandel reminds us, Dominion has a checkered history. They (Board of Elections) are using our taxpayer dollars for a vendor that has already demonstrated will not be a good faith partner for future elections. Dominion cannot call itself a ‘neutral voting machine vendor’ when it overwhelmingly gives political donations to one party (Democrat), and the voting machine errors almost always appear to favor one political party (Democrat). Reputation counts, and having a good name is better than riches.”

As State Treasurer, Josh Mandel has a reputation for promoting government transparency. During his term, Mandel was able to launch OhioCheckbook.com in 2014, marking the first time in Ohio history when citizens could actually see every expenditure in state government. The following year, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group released a report and Mandel earned Ohio the number one transparency ranking in the country for providing online access to government spending data, climbing from 46th in the nation to number one.

U.S. Senate Candidate Josh Mandel visits Mansfield Baptist Temple June 24th. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Zimmerman says “At the Richland County Board of Elections we believe in the sanctity of a person’s vote and continually ensure all our elections are conducted lawfully, securely, accurately and transparently. Our voting system has many layers of security, physical, and cyber, surrounding it. The voting units we use are NOT and cannot be connected to the internet. The system is tested to rigorous standards which take into consideration the various concerns raised in the clergy letter. The Board will continue to utilize the current voting units under the strictest logic and accuracy standards.”

While the Board of Elections claims its voting machines are not connected to the internet, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office still required installation of internet security hardware. Albert Network Monitoring and Management devices recognize potentially malicious activity occurring on so-called “closed networks.” The clergy question why this hardware is even needed if it is not connected to the internet.

Pastor Les Farley commented, “The general public does not want to be told to simply trust a government agency. The public wants the government to convince the public they are telling the truth. Banks are required to have complete audits and account for every last penny. My vote does not seem “sacred” when our election board only randomly sample ballots to verify election results. Right now there is no way to know how accurately these voting machines are performing.”

“We cannot allow our satisfaction with local election outcomes cause us to be complacent. If these voting machines have indeed been manipulated, we may not like the next election outcome.”

See related articles:

72 Ohio clergy give ‘vote of no confidence’ to Dominion voting machines
Former Ohio Secretary of State calls Presidential election an ‘electoral larceny’
Ohio pastors say majority of Americans believe election stolen

The Bottom Line:

Proverbs 20 says, “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.”

GUEST COLUMN: Latest Supreme Court snub thorn in the side to florist & religious freedom (VIDEO)

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On Friday, in an act of what can only be described as dereliction, the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear the case of Arlene’s Flowers, Inc. vs. Washington. In refusing to hear this case, the Court has failed to bring clarity to a situation it ultimately created.

Despite the utopian thinking of Justice Anthony Kennedy in the Obergefell vs. Hodges decision, legalizing same-sex marriage has led to a crisis of religious liberty. Barronelle Stutzman is the definitive answer to the question, “How will my gay marriage affect you?”

John Stonestreet (Photo courtesy of BreakPoint)

In 2014, a long-time customer (whom Stutzman considered to be a friend) asked Barronelle to create a floral arrangement for his same-sex wedding. When Stutzman declined due to her Christian belief about marriage, the client said he understood and asked for referrals to other florists who would be willing to do the job. She recommended three other floral designers, they embraced and said goodbye.

When the attorney general of the State of Washington saw a post about the incident on social media, they brought charges against Barronelle. In 2015, a trial court found her guilty of violating Washington’s anti-discrimination law, ordered her to pay a $1,000 fine and the ACLU’s legal fees, and to no longer accept wedding business unless she agreed to serve gay weddings.

Her appeal to the state Supreme Court drew so much interest that arguments were held in a local college auditorium. The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Stutzman, citing Kennedy’s Obergefell language and even claiming that to not service a same-sex wedding is to “disrespect and subordinate” gays and lesbians. The court also ruled that floral arrangements weren’t “speech” but instead “conduct,” and rejected her free exercise claim based on the Employment Division vs. Smith. In other words, the Court found that even if the state had violated Barronelle’s First Amendment right to free exercise, it had done so in a generally applicable way that serves a compelling interest of the government.

Barronelle, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. However, when the Court found the state of Colorado guilty of animus toward the religious beliefs of Jack Phillips, in the very similar Masterpiece Cakeshop case, it vacated the decision by the Washington court, effectively asking it to re-examine Barronelle’s case and look for the kind of religious animus condemned by Kennedy in the Masterpiece decision.

Unsurprisingly, the Washington Supreme Court, not about to admit it had decided anything wrongly, ruled again against Barronelle. So ADF, on behalf of Barronelle, appealed again to the Supreme Court.

By refusing to hear Barronelle’s case, the Supreme Court has left her, after seven years of fighting for her rights of conscience, without justice. It has left her without a significant part of her business. It has left her weary but amazingly hopeful after a long battle to save it. It has left her with the potential of financial ruin, and largely at the mercy of the ACLU.

“I’m no prophet, but I suspect Barronelle is among the first of many who will be forced to choose between their convictions and their livelihoods. The least that the rest of us can do is to stand with them, pray for them, support them, carry whatever burdens we can, and take our place alongside them, if and when the time comes.”

John Stonestreet, Colson Center for Christian Worldview

And, the Supreme Court has left America in the lurch, unsettled as to what definition of religious freedom it will recognize and protect. By ruling in favor of Catholic Social Services a few weeks ago, the Court made it even more clear that religious organizations will be protected. However, by refusing to take up Barronelle’s case, the status of religious freedom for individuals outside of religious organizations to live and order their public lives according to their deeply held convictions, is decidedly not clear.

Even if the Supreme Court is not clear, we all should be. First, LGBT advocates should be clear about whether or not this is what they are fighting for? Is the goal really to destroy people like Barronelle Stutzman and Jack Phillips, neighbors who have served you and the community so well for so many years?

Churches, Christian organizations, and Christians everywhere need to be clear too. Where will we stand? Will we make the sort of hard, life-altering choices as Barronelle, even if it costs us everything? And, will we choose to stand, in prayer and financial support, to those forced to pay a high cost for their Christian convictions?

I’m no prophet, but I suspect Barronelle is among the first of many who will be forced to choose between their convictions and their livelihoods. The least that the rest of us can do is to stand with them, pray for them, support them, carry whatever burdens we can, and take our place alongside them, if and when the time comes.

John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. John is also the daily voice of BreakPoint, the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture. This story was originally published on August 27th, 2020. Click the image below to hear the podcast of this article.

View the video below produced by Alliance Defending Freedom on the Baronelle Stutzman story.

The Bottom Line:

Isaiah 5 says “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

GUEST COLUMN: Celebrating America’s Birthday without the New York Times

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When was America born? Was it when Jamestown was settled in 1607? When the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620? When the 13 colonies won the War of Independence from Great Britain in 1781? Today, revisionist historians and new progressive models claim that America was born when African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619. While the American slave trade was tragic, immoral, and a grave human rights violation, it is inaccurate to say that the United States of America was founded on slavery.

Tony Perkins (Photo courtesy of FRC)

Independence Day is the appropriate day to celebrate America’s birthday because it was on this day that the final text of the Declaration of Independence, the document outlining our nation’s ideals and aspirations, was approved by the Continental Congress (the actual signing would come a month later). Alarmingly, the historic belief about America’s founding on July 4, 1776, is currently under assault by liberal elites, including those behind the 1619 Project.

The 1619 Project was first publicly proposed in a New York Times article in August 2019 and has since been discussed in other outlets such as The Atlantic and various media networks. The original article has been developed into a podcast, written into a high school curriculum, and published as a book. The Project alleges that slavery is at the root of America’s founding, and that all her political, social, and economic structures are inherently racist.

While it is true that slavery is a dark stain on America’s history, the institution of slavery is not what animated America’s Founders or what inspired them to break free from Great Britain, which was heavily involved in the slave trade itself. Like every nation in the history of the world, America is imperfect in her history, politics, and structures. However, despite being an imperfect country, America is and has been one of the greatest forces for good throughout history.

For example, America is the only country to have ended slavery in fewer than 100 years after its founding. By comparison, it took the United Kingdom nearly 900 years to abolish slavery after its founding, and other countries like India, North Korea, Uzbekistan, and Libya, still practice some form of slavery today. In addition, America led the effort to liberate Europe during World War II, helping to restore world peace and prosperity. In 2019 alone, the United States gave over $47 billion in aid to alleviate poverty around the world.

America’s extraordinary contributions to the cause of freedom flow from the ideals set forth by the Declaration of Independence. As Jefferson movingly wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These beliefs animated the Founding Fathers and inspired the patriots who fought in the War of Independence. Thus, it is fitting to mark America’s birthday on July 4th, not just because it commemorates our nation’s independence, but because it is when the Founders clearly articulated that the United States would stand for freedom and human rights.

Today, fewer people view patriotism as a virtue, implying that our nation’s faults mean we cannot celebrate or be proud of its accomplishments. However, although we should acknowledge our nation’s faults and seek to improve them, we do not need to apologize for our nation herself. America is not perfect, but we can still be proud of her and what she has done well. It is good to take pride in your country and love the nation in which you live. Loving your country for the areas in which it has succeeded is healthy and promotes a spirit of unity.

“Seeking America’s welfare today includes showing patriotism and supporting our nation’s founding values and rights that are enumerated and protected under its founding documents. Let us view our American heritage with honesty, respect, and pride. America’s birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence says “July 4, 1776.” We should be proud to be Americans and celebrate our nation’s birthday with gratitude.”

Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council

Christians are commanded to love our neighbors, including those in our communities. Like the ancient Israelites, we should seek the welfare of those we live amongst (Jer. 29:7). This includes working to advance the Founder’s vision of a “more perfect union” in our spheres of influence. Ultimately, for Christians, our citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven (Phil. 3:20), but while we sojourn as “strangers and exiles” in this world, we must also be good citizens of the earthly places in which God has situated us (1 Tim. 2:1-3, 2 Pet. 2:17). Responsible citizenship and biblical love for our neighbors coincide with doing everything we can to advance the values of freedom and human dignity championed by the patriots who founded this nation.

Seeking America’s welfare today includes showing patriotism and supporting our nation’s founding values and rights that are enumerated and protected under its founding documents. Let us view our American heritage with honesty, respect, and pride. America’s birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence, says “July 4, 1776.” We should be proud to be Americans and celebrate our nation’s birthday with gratitude.

Tony Perkins is President of Family Research Council and host of the radio broadcast “Washington Watch,” which discusses current issues and frequently conducts interviews with members of Congress and prominent pro-family leaders from across the nation.

The Bottom Line:

The Book of Jeremiah says to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which you have been exiled to. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

Lebanon, Ohio walks the talk, becoming 29th city to outlaw abortion

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LEBANON — Actions speak louder than words. A number of cities are not waiting for the unpredictable U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Roe v. Wade. Local grassroot efforts in the Midwest are taking action and focusing on outlawing abortion… in their own backyards.

Over several weeks, the Lebanon City Council has heard from more than one hundred local citizens before voting on an ordinance outlawing abortion. The votes cast by the Lebanon City Council were solid: six votes for outlawing abortion with zero against.

Lebanon, Ohio City Council holding opening prayer invocation. (Photo courtesy Council video screenshot)

“We are clearly saying in our community we do not think it is in our best interest to open a clinic or a hospital that does abortions,” says Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer. “We are elected to make decisions based on what’s good for our community.” 

The new ordinance immediately went into effect, stating, “It shall be unlawful for any person to procure or perform an abortion of any type and at any stage of pregnancy in the city of Lebanon, Ohio,” and “It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly aid or abet an abortion that occurs in the city of Lebanon, Ohio.”

Besides outlawing abortion, the ordinance declares abortion-inducing drugs to be contraband, stating, “It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or distribute abortion-inducing drugs in the city of Lebanon, Ohio.” The ordinance defines “abortion-inducing drugs” as “mifepristone, misoprostol, and any drug or medication that is used to terminate the life of an unborn child.” The ordinance is clear that the term “abortion-inducing drugs” does not include birth-control devices or oral contraceptives.

“The City Council of Lebanon recognized, along with twenty-eight other cities, that it is not good enough to say we value the lives of our unborn neighbors if there are no actions to back those words up. The City Council of Lebanon refused to play the game many politicians are known for playing and did what was necessary by passing an enforceable ordinance. They did not just say there were Pro-Life, they voted like it, and outlawed abortion.”

Mark Lee Dickson, Founder of Sanctuary cities for the unborn

Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life of East Texas and founder of the  Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn explained the significance of passing actual “ordinances” outlawing abortion, and not simple “resolutions” that carry no weight.

“The City Council of Lebanon recognized, along with twenty-eight other cities, it is not good enough to say we value the lives of our unborn neighbors if there are no actions to back those words up. The City Council of Lebanon refused to play the game many politicians are known for playing and did what was necessary to protect the health and welfare of the residents of Lebanon, Ohio by passing an enforceable ordinance. They did not just say they were Pro-Life, they voted like it, and outlawed abortion.”

In June of 2019, Waskom, Texas became the first city to outlaw abortion by ordinance in America. 

Lebanon, Ohio (Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn)

Those who are found in violation of any part of the Lebanon ordinance are guilty of a misdemeanor in the first degree and, under Ohio Law, are not to serve more than six months in jail or pay more than $1,000 in fines. These consequences to the violation of this law are immediately enforceable and contain only one exception: “Under no circumstance may the mother of the unborn child that has been aborted, or the pregnant woman who seeks to abort her unborn child, be subject to prosecution or penalty under this section.”

If the City of Lebanon faces any litigation as a result of the passage of the ordinance, Attorney Jonathan F. Mitchell, the former Texas Solicitor General, has agreed to represent the city at no cost to the city and taxpayers. In May of 2020 when seven cities in East Texas that had passed the ordinance were sued by the ACLU, Mitchell represented the cities, and after three months, the ACLU withdrew its lawsuits. The lawsuits did not cost the cities or the taxpayers one cent and abortion remains outlawed in every city which was sued.

The Bottom Line:

Proverbs 6 says, “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.”

89 Ohio clergy affirm role of police calling for day of prayer & appreciation (SLIDESHOW) (VIDEO)

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Pastor Hank Webb speaking with clergy check donation (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

MANSFIELD — As social justice efforts across the nation defund local police departments, the jury is still out on whether Congress will vote to remove qualified immunity for hometown peace officers. Led by clergy, one community is trying to do everything it can by the book to make sure its local police forces know they are needed.

Yesterday, clergy representing eighty-nine local congregations held a press conference at City Hall reading from a joint prayer proclamation and calling for a day of prayer and appreciation for its police. Due to the negativity towards local police departments, the clergy report their local police are seeing a decline in staffing due to retirements and resignations.

Mansfield City Police Dept, Richland County Sheriff’s Dept, & Lexington Police Dept. represented at press conference.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“We are seeing law enforcement around the nation bleeding officers thru resignations and retirements,” says Pastor Matt Merendino. “In addition, our local police departments are also seeing dropping numbers of applicants for job openings, and the local police academy is graduating less students majoring in Criminal Justice. We want to champion the cause for our local police. As efforts to divide our nation continue, we stand united in support of our local police and our resolve is only getting stronger.”

According to Reverend El Akuchie, America was founded on Judeo-Christian values. “The Founding Fathers confirmed the Bible is the leading source of morality in Western Civilization by promoting law and order and forbidding murder, adultery, the stealing and coveting of personal property. Our community is no different; we have a history of corporately praying for Almighty GOD in times of adversity. ”

In 2009, eighty-three clergymen called for a day of prayer and fasting when the area’s largest employer announced closure of its facilities, Recently in 2020, one hundred twenty clergymen called for a day of prayer and fasting at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday clergy continued their tradition.

“As leading clergymen from (89) eighty-nine congregations across Richland County, Ohio, we regret the negativity and malice toward those police officers who bravely serve and protect our families.  We formally call citizens, especially Christians, to join millions across the nation to recognize the “Day of Prayer and Appreciation for Local Law Enforcement” on Sunday, June 13th, 2021 by standing in solidarity through prayer, doing acts of charity toward those wearing the badge, publicly advocating on behalf of our local law enforcement, and promoting a career in this noble profession.”

Richland County clergy joint proclamation

During the press conference, Pastor spokesman Hank Webb declared, “As leading clergymen from (89) eighty-nine congregations across Richland County, Ohio, we regret the negativity and malice toward those police officers who bravely serve and protect our families.  We formally call citizens, especially Christians, to join millions across the nation to recognize the “Day of Prayer and Appreciation for Local Law Enforcement” on Sunday, June 13th, 2021 by standing in solidarity through prayer, doing acts of charity toward those wearing the badge, publicly advocating on behalf of our local law enforcement, and promoting a career in this noble profession.”

In addition to the day of prayer, fourteen of the congregations raised $5,000 in funds to support the County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Mansfield, Ontario, Lexington, Bellville and Butler.

“We are donating these funds for our officers and their equipment needs. It is the least we can do. Our hope is that this small gesture can help improve staff morale and provoke other stakeholders to do the same,” says Webb.

Reverend El Akuchie praying for local law enforcement. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Sheriff Steve Sheldon commented, “We are thankful for what the clergy do. Both Mansfield City and Richland County have “In GOD we trust” emblems on their police cruisers. While we have problems in our community, we know that GOD is still bigger than any problem we have.”

Mansfield City Councilman Jason Lawrence added, “If you are in law enforcement and you want to serve in a community that supports law and order, move to Richland County, Ohio and bring your family with you. We believe this community can be a great place for both the young and the old to live in.”

For interested parties that would like to donate funds to area police departments, email inquiries to admin@frontlinesohio.com.

View slideshow from the clergy press conference below.

  • Richland County clergy press conference. (Photo courtesy Frontlines Ohio)
  • Mansfield Police Compound (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Reverend El speaking (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Mansfield Police Dept, Richland County Sheriff Dept, Lexington Police Dept. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Matt Merendino speaking(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Richland County clergy press conference (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Hank Webb speaking with clergy check donation (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Local church has yard sign campaign supporting police (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Mansfield Police Chief Keith Porch w/ Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Matt Merendino speaking (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Hank Webb speaking (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Richland County Sheriff’s deputies with Chaplain Reverend Robert Kurtz (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Richland County clergy with Shelby Mayor Reverend Steve Schag (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • RIchland County clergy spokesmen (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Reverend El Akuchie speaking (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Richland County, Ohio clergy press conference (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Reverend El Akuchie praying for local police (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

View video of clergy press conference in its entirety (16 min.)

See related articles:

Faith leaders oppose removing protections for police officers
Is the fear of GOD driving wheels of justice in Northern Ohio? (AUDIO)
101 Clergy salute law enforcement, encouraging area to thank police (SLIDESHOW) (VIDEO)
Mansfield Baptist Temple holds service honoring law enforcement (Photo Gallery)

The Bottom Line:

Ephesians 6 says, “Finally brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Guest Column: Shawshank for January 6th political prisoners

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“I have been in solitary confinement for one hundred days now and haven’t been convicted of any crime with no end in sight.”

That was part of a lengthy message Jacob Lang sent to his father, Ned, the last week of April. Jacob was arrested on January 16th in New York and charged with several crimes related to his activity in Washington, D.C. on January 6th. Lang, who turned twenty-five while incarcerated, is accused of assaulting police officers using a dangerous or deadly weapon. The government’s evidence against him appears to be strong. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Author and Commentator
Julie Kelly

So far, more than four hundred people have been arrested in the nationwide manhunt with more charges to come, and at the same time, emerging evidence proves law enforcement allowed protestors to enter and remain in the building.

At the direction of Joe Biden’s Justice Department, at least fifty defendants have been transported from their home states to a D.C. jail, a purely punitive move since all court hearings into the foreseeable future are virtual. In several cases, federal prosecutors successfully argued against release orders issued by local judges. The government repeatedly cites the overall events of January 6th in addition to the defendants’ skepticism about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election as evidence the accused are a threat to society.

“He armed himself and assaulted law enforcement with the intent to unlawfully enter the U.S. Capitol and stop the functioning of our government as it met to certify election results,” one assistant U.S. attorney wrote in the government’s pre-trial detention motion for Lang. “The defendant was a spoke in the wheel that caused the historic events of January 6, 2021, and he is thus a danger to our society and a threat to the peaceful functioning of our community.”

Of course, that sort of dramatic rhetoric has nothing to do with keeping people safe and everything to do with punishing law-abiding Americans who have the audacity to doubt the outcome of last year’s election. It’s guilt-by-association—anyone who supports Donald Trump is guilty of challenging the Biden regime and must pay the price.

Which is why so many January 6th detainees now languish in solitary confinement conditions, some reportedly abused by prison guards, denied routine access to family members and defense attorneys. While there’s no doubt most of those behind bars awaiting delayed trials face the most serious charges related to the Capitol breach, the double standard of justice is in clear view. The same Justice Department dropping cases against Portland rioters, including those charged with assaulting federal officers, is treating January 6 defendants as hardened criminals even though most have no criminal records. 

Lang told his father his fellow detainees are being tortured “mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, legally, and spiritually.”

The jail allows them to leave their cells for an hour a day. Religious services are not allowed; they can’t exercise and access to personal hygiene such as showers is nearly nonexistent, according to defense lawyers and relatives I’ve spoken with. The detainees, before a single moment of their trial has begun, suffer the same harsh treatment as convicted criminals incarcerated in the D.C. prison system—pandemic-justified conditions recently condemned by elected officials of both parties. 

The treatment is so bad that the detainees have found advocates in two unlikely allies: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.). “Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is cruel and psychologically damaging,” Warren told Politico last month. “And we’re talking about people who haven’t been convicted of anything yet.” Durbin expressed surprise at how the January 6th detainees were being held and urged progressives to “amplify their criminal justice reform calls even on behalf of Donald Trump supporters who besieged the entire legislative branch in January.”

When Richard Barnett, the man photographed in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, finally was released from the D.C. jail after being held for nearly four months, the first thing he asked for was a nail clipper. “All the inmates had to share one nail clipper and it was never cleaned,” Barnett’s attorney, Steven Metcalf, told me. “He hadn’t cut his nails in four months.”

“They are literally torturing me exactly like they do to political prisoners in China. I am a United States citizen and the Constitutional patriot and they are…torturing me. I am not even convicted of a crime! This is how they treat ‘innocent until proven guilty’ people in America?”

Jacob Lang of Newburgh, New York

Barnett turned himself in to law enforcement after he arrived home to Arkansas on January 8th; news photographers had been positioned inside Pelosi’s office to take pictures and the image of Barnett went viral immediately, leading to death threats against his family. Although he had no criminal history, D.C. District Court Judge Beryl Howell agreed with the government that Barnett was a danger to society. In addition to a few misdemeanor charges, he is accused of carrying—not using—a walking stick that can be used as a stun gun.

“Defendant’s involvement in the Capitol assault and brazen conduct inside the Capitol and offices of the Speaker of the House pose an obvious danger,” Howell wrote on January 29. “The court finds that the defendant poses a danger to the community because of his brazenly illegal conduct . . . and access to firearms and weapons, like a stun gun, that remain missing.” (Howell, a former Democratic Senate staffer and Obama appointee, has been a major Trump antagonist from the bench.)

Howell’s prejudicial conclusion that Barnett engaged in “illegal” activity based solely on the government’s initial evidence is just one example of how January 6 defendants are “being treated as though they’ve already been sentenced,” Metcalf said.

Prison guards “instill fear” in the detainees, Metcalf said. Ryan Samsel, behind bars since January, allegedly was beaten by prison guards who handcuffed him with zip ties. “He has definitely suffered serious injuries, including a shattered orbital floor, a broken orbital bone, his jaw was broken, his nose was broken,” his lawyer said in an interview last month. Samsel, she said, is currently unable to see out of his right eye and may permanently lose his vision.

Further, those held in the D.C. jail cannot participate in their own defense, a clear violation of basic constitutional protections.

Inside the Washington D.C. Central Detention Facility (Photo courtesy of D.C. Corrections)

“It’s impossible to have a free-flowing conversation with your clients,” Metcalf said. “Meetings are in open cages where there is no confidentiality, everyone can hear the conversations including prison guards.” If a detainee meets with a lawyer in person at the jail, he must then quarantine for fourteen days as “retaliation,” Metcalf said. Attorney-client privilege is nonexistent.

The government, with the consent of federal judges is using every legal trick necessary to keep Capitol surveillance footage from January 6th under wraps from both defendants and legal counsel. The video captured by the Capitol’s security system and used against Lang and other defendants to support pretrial detention motions is considered “highly sensitive” and concealed by protective orders. Defendants only have access to the clips created by the Justice Department, not full recordings; the videos can be viewed in a supervised setting. Defendants and lawyers cannot download, copy, or share the clips.

Last week, Jacob Lang, according to a text message sent to his mother on Sunday, was placed in an empty cell for at least fourteen hours as punishment for advising other detainees against accepting plea deals. According to the message, shared by his father to me, Jacob had “no water, nothing in my cell, no chair to sit, no blanket, no Bible, no toothbrush, no toilet paper . . . and no human contact.” Jacob said the water is brown and comes out “in chunks.”

His next court hearing is June 15.

“They are literally torturing me exactly like they do to political prisoners in China,” he wrote his mother. “I am a United States citizen and Constitutional patriot and they are . . . torturing me. I’m not even convicted of a crime!! This is how they treat ‘innocent until proven guilty people in America???”

Only, as Lang and his fellow detainees are learning the hard way, if you’re on the wrong side of American politics.

Julie Kelly is a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness. She is the author of Disloyal Opposition: How the NeverTrump Right Tried―And Failed―To Take Down the President. Her past work can be found at The Federalist and National Review.

The Bottom Line:

Deuteronomy 16 says, “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

Ashland starts day off on good foot with Prayer Breakfast (VIDEO)

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ASHLAND — Ashlanders started their day off on a good foot with an early morning National Day of Prayer (NDOP) breakfast at the Ashland University Convocation Center. As one of the largest NDOP observances in the state each year, leaders from various spheres of influence participated in the corporate gathering taking authority over different areas of society.

Click on the image above to view the NDOP Prayer Breakfast in its entirety at the Ashland County Ministerial Association Facebook page. (Photo courtesy of Jimmi Delay)

One of those was the NDOP keynote speaker Rob Walgate, who spoke on the subject of authority. As a collegiate official for basketball, Walgate shared his unique perspective.

“Each of us have the ability to influence,” said Walgate. “Jesus’ disciples got their authority from Heaven to feed the thousands with only five loaves and two fish. While the LORD is in control, it also takes an action on our part. Similarly, the Great Commission requires an action on our part to disciple and influence others.”

Ashland Mayor Matt Miller asked the gathering, “Do our prayers matter? George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Presidents Truman and Reagan all thought their prayers mattered. In the Bible, when King Jehosophat had pressing issues, he had all the men, women and children of the nation of Israel together cry out to deliver them from their calamity. Today we too have a Heavenly Father who can deliver us from our problems.”

Mayor Matt Miller gives opening prayer. (Photo courtesy of Jimmi Delay)

County Commissioner Board President Denny Biddle gave a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer.

Biddle said the Commissioners begin their meetings with prayer. “In my six years as Commissioner, I believe It is very evident that GOD is blessing our community, I believe the morals of this community are continuing under GOD’s guidance. It takes a joint partnership with churches , businesses, educational institutions, and additional government agencies to maintain the good of society.”

Prayer leaders led corporate intercession with Pastor Scot Myers praying for military veterans, Melanie Miller for national leaders, Pastor Keith Tyson for state leaders, and Sherry Bouquet for county elected officials

“It’s good to be back in the house for the Prayer Breakfast,” says NDOP Chairman Pastor John Bouquet. “After forty years of the Prayer Breakfast, we want to honor the LORD for what He has done for us. We had sixty different churches and businesses support this event this year and I think that is phenomenal.”

Related articles:

Photo Gallery of 2019 Ashland Community Prayer Breakfast (VIDEO)
Ashland faith leaders converge for prayer at city hall during pandemic (VIDEO)
‘Love one another’ theme for Ashland Community Prayer Breakfast May 2nd

Richland County observes 2021 National Day of Prayer (SLIDESHOW) (VIDEO)

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Pastor Kevin Evans leads prayer at Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

RICHLAND COUNTY — While the U.S. Capital hosted no National Day of Prayer (NDOP) observance this year, and while the White House left the word “God” out of its NDOP proclamation, on May 6th there was plenty of acknowledgement of the Almighty to go around in the Buckeye Bible Belt.

Several public prayer observances took place across Richland County including the City of Shelby.

Pastor Doug Tackett speaks at Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

With over one hundred in attendance, including Mayor Reverend Steve Schag and State Rep. Marilyn John, Shelby Pastor Kevin Evans shared a story of one act of courage impacting a nation years later.

“Reverend Billy Graham stood on Capital steps in Feb 1952 and called on Congress to establish a national day of prayer. And by April of that year, President Truman signed legislation enacting a national day of prayer which has been celebrated since, making it the seventieth year. We want to praise GOD for that act of faith.”

Pastor Doug Tackett, keynote speaker for the Shelby NDOP commented, “I believe the rescuing of our nation, our city, our church and the rescuing of our freedom lies with our prayers. Psalms 33:12 says Blessed is the nation whose god is the LORD. It is imperative that GOD’s people pray, the salvation of our schools and our city depends on it.”

“Pray for leaders giving them wisdom, discernment; and strength, for the men and women of the Armed Forces, for all First Responders who put themselves in harm’s way every day, and to bless our land with honorable endeavors, sound learning, respect and pure manners; and let us ask GOD for sustenance and guidance for all of us so that we can meet the great challenges we face as a Nation.”

Richland County Board of commissioner proclamation

The local award-winning gospel singing group Glory Way Quartet also performed to bring the ceremony to an energetic closing.

In Mansfield, a noonday prayer gathering brought citizens and leaders alike to pray together at Central Park.

Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker pointed out in his proclamation “Our region is historically known for its dependence on the Almighty when eighty-three Richland County clergymen during the 2008-2009 recession called for a day of prayer and fasting after the closure of the General Motors stamping plant, and when one hundred-twenty clergymen across North Central Ohio called Ohioans to a season of corporate prayer and fasting during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.”

In their proclamation, the Richland County Board of Commissioners encouraged citizens to “Pray for leaders giving them wisdom, discernment; and strength, for the men and women of the Armed Forces, for all First Responders who put themselves in harm’s way every day, and to bless our land with honorable endeavors, sound learning, respect and pure manners; and let us ask GOD for sustenance and guidance for all of us so that we can meet the great challenges we face as a Nation.”

Rev. El Akuchie leads prayer at Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Besides Mayor Theaker and Commissioners Tony Vero and Cliff Mears, Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson, Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley, Mansfield Councilman Jason Lawrence and several City Administrators attended, including Police Chief Keith Porch. Mansfield Potter’s House brought their worship team to provide several praise songs.

Down the road and later in the evening, area clergy Matt Merendino and Matt O’Harra were part of a group of religious leaders who led a NDOP assembly in Bellville at the old Township Hall; Mayor Terri Brenkus attended.

In September 1774, the first session of the Continental Congress opened with prayer from Psalms 35 by Reverend Jacob Duche at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia. As a result records indicated there have been at least 1,526 state and federal calls for national prayer since.

View the following slideshow below of the 2021 NDOP observances in Mansfield, Shelby, and Bellville, and a video produced by Liberty Life’s Song Ministries of the Shelby NDOP observance.

  • Elected officials & law enforcement attend Mansfield NDOP & line up for prayer (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • The local Glory Way Quartet performing at the Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of YouTube screenshot)
  • Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker addresses gathering at Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Mansfield Mayor Theaker NDOP Proclamation (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Citizens gather for Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Kevin Evans leads prayer at Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Matt Merendino leads prayer at Bellville NDOP (Photo courtesy of Neal Costick)
  • Citizens gather for Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • The local Glory Way Quartet performing at the Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of YouTube screenshot)
  • Reverend El Akuchie with County Commissioner Cliff Mears (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Richland County Board of Commissioners NDOP Proclamation (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Matt O’Harra leads prayer at Bellville NDOP (Photo courtesy of Neal Costick)
  • Pastor Doug Tackett speaks at Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • County Commissioner Cliff Mears speaks at Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Pastor Kevin Evans leads prayer at Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Rev. El Akuchie leads prayer at Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Citizens gather for Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Citizens gather for Mansfield NDOP (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • The local Glory Way Quartet performing at the Shelby NDOP (Photo courtesy of YouTube screenshot)
Despite Beltway disbelief, area National Day of Prayer still set for May 6th (SLIDESHOW)
National Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving goes viral in Mansfield (SLIDESHOW)
Shelby residents gather for National Day of Prayer after storm
Bellville fire station becomes ‘ground zero’ for National Day of Prayer (VIDEO)

The Bottom Line:

2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom.”

Israeli says it is not too late for America to become land of the free again (VIDEO)

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ONTARIO — Whether preventing a radical revolution to defend Judeo-Christian civilization, or experimenting with a socialist utopia, the Bible says Israel is to be “a light to the nations.” One Israeli author and commentator points out many of the challenges America now faces have parallels to the successes and failures Israel has already faced.

David Rubin is the former Mayor of Shiloh, Israel and Founder and President of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund (SICF). His organization is dedicated to healing the trauma of child victims of terrorist attacks, as well as rebuilding the Biblical heartland of Israel through the children. Recently Rubin spoke at Sar Shalom Center to discuss his new book entitled “Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel.”

Former Shiloh Mayor David Rubin with Rabbi William Hallbrook. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“There is a radical plan to change the United States of America from a nation of traditional values of GOD, family, and hard work – to a neo-Marxist, gender and ethnically confused reality that sees the “land of the free” as an evil force in the world,” says Rubin.

As social justice warriors are trying to rewrite American history to divide the country, Rubin says Israel has learned to realize their leaders like King David, King Solomon, Theodore Herzl, and David Ben Gurion have all made mistakes.

“Many Jews learned hard and worked hard in early twentieth century during the years of discrimination. There was no need for rioting or the overthrow of values like we are seeing in America. It is interesting that as the Biden Administration is aiding the social justice movement, it is also funding the “pay to slay” program which financially supports the families of Palestinian terrorists who kill Israeli Jews.”

“It is not too late to stop the step by step revolution that the Secular Left has been organizing. We in Israel have learned certain lessons in the roller coaster ride that we call Jewish history, both from our successes in confronting the challenges, and from our mistakes. We need to keep in mind that there is nothing that cannot be reversed.”

David Rubin, Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund

As a nation of former slaves and exiles, Israeli Jews always emerged from darkness to light despite seeing disproportionate persecution, hardship, and death. Rubin points out the modern State of Israel had struggled for decades with its own brand of socialism, and continues to confront terrorist threats and propaganda warfare from radical Palestinians and their supporters on the Secular Left.

While Israel has not been exempt from the influences of the LGBT movement, Rubin says Israel as a whole is beginning to restore the traditional family.

“In Israel, there area more Jewish marriages than before and the birth rates of religious Jews have surpassed the Arab birth rates for the first time in recent memory. While American marriage and birth rates are plummeting, Israel is now following the Biblical mandate of being fruitful and multiplying. If the United States returns to the Bible, it too can regain its status and become a beacon to the world.”

David Rubin speaks recently at Sar Shalom Center. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Rubin says, “It is not too late to stop the step by step revolution that the Secular Left has been organizing. We in Israel have learned certain lessons in the roller coaster ride that we call Jewish history, both from our successes in confronting the challenges, and from our mistakes. We need to keep in mind that there is nothing that cannot be reversed.”

View the video interview by Israel 365 with David Rubin on his latest book below.

The Bottom Line:

Isaiah 49:6 says, “The LORD said to me, ‘I have a greater task for you, my servant. Not only will you restore to greatness the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations-so that all the world may be saved.”

GUEST COLUMN: Biden Isn’t Fueling Anyone with His Useless Agenda

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Joe Biden wants to be FDR, but he may have to settle for Jimmy Carter. The eerie echoes of those days are starting to replay in a lot of Americans’ minds as they watch the world unravel – almost overnight. By nightfall Tuesday, the lines for gas up and down the east coast were so long that the traffic jams spilled onto the main streets. People everywhere raced to fill up tanks and whatever else they could hold, as panic spread. Along the southern border, the state of emergency hit a fever pitch when the surge hit a two-decade high. In Israel, Arab terrorists are on the verge of “full-scale war.” Prices are skyrocketing, inflation is shooting fear throughout the market, and what is the president’s response? “This is progress.”

Tony Perkins (Photo courtesy of FRC)

Five days after saying America is moving in the “right direction,” Biden’s team is scrambling to put out fires that they seem completely unprepared to confront. The bad news has only compounded since last Friday, when the dismal jobs report started to confirm what we all suspected: this White House’s radical approach isn’t working. After four months of acting on their pet LGBT and climate change projects, the administration is alarmingly out of its depth in the current global meltdown. The president seems dazed by the situations spiraling out of control under his watch and many worry these catastrophes will only get worse.

Since the Colonial Pipeline was hacked over the weekend, governors like Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) have been furious with the administration’s non-response. Stations up and down the seaboard are running out of fuel, and all the administration has managed to say about the cyberattack is “Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline.” “The Biden administration needs to take this seriously,” DeSantis argued. “Their initial response is, ‘Oh, this is a private pipeline,’ and just shrug their shoulders. This is important infrastructure for our country, and it could impact our economy greatly if they don’t respond.” Despite prices climbing twenty cents a gallon since Saturday, Mr. Biden, who campaigned on closing down the oil industry, seems unconcerned.

His team has been just as indifferent about the border, where the numbers continue to be a jaw-dropping indictment of this administration’s policy. According to the data released Tuesday, 178,622 illegal immigrants tried to cross into the country in April — the highest one-month total in two decades. That’s not “seasonable migration,” NRO’s Jim Geraghty points out, rebutting the president’s earlier claim. Anyone who tries to suggest that months of record-breaking numbers are nothing out of the ordinary is selling a “load of bull,” he argues. “These are cold, hard numbers which prove that Biden’s assessment of the situation in late March was completely wrong.”

“Evil preys on weakness -and that’s what this President is projecting to our enemies all around the globe. If something doesn’t change, and soon, America won’t be the only one who suffers. Israel, our allies, the persecuted, they’re all in jeopardy under an administration as feeble and misguided at this one.”

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council

Twenty governors are now banding together to demand action immediately. “The crisis is too big to ignore and is now spilling over the border states into all of our states,” they said in a letter to President Biden. “We have neither the resources nor the obligation to solve the federal government’s problem and foot the bill for the consequences of this administration’s misguided actions.”

Americans are even less reassured about the economy, as the sticker-shock over everything from eggs to lumber points to leaner days ahead. The worker shortage is already hitting employers hard, but now, to spread the pain around, the country is experiencing the single largest price increase on consumer goods since 2008. Inflation, even liberal media outlets warn, is “accelerating at its fastest pace in more than 12 years.” And yet, none of that seems to deter Biden from his $4 trillion dollars in new projects. If they pass, taxpayers will be looking at $10 trillion dollars in new spending in about a year.

This country is staring down crises in energy, the economy, the job market, Middle East, and the border, and what is this administration doing? Opening more transgender restrooms. Not that anyone should be surprised. This is, after all, what Joe Biden said he would do. And most extremists (including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.) would agree, he’s been remarkably efficient at it. Of the forty-three executive orders he’s signed since January, only a handful deal with something other than his extreme social agenda for the environment, race, gender, sexuality, health care, courts, the military, or education. On everything else, Biden struggles to look even mildly competent. The world is literally on fire, and this administration can’t even decide whether vaccinated people should wear masks.

Evil preys on weakness — and that’s what this President is projecting to our enemies all around the globe. If something doesn’t change, and soon, America won’t be the only one who suffers. Israel, our allies, the persecuted, they’re all in jeopardy under an administration as feeble and misguided at this one. “At the end of the day, every bully on the planet feels emboldened,” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said soberly. “… I’ve never seen so much deterioration of our national security in such a short period of time, as I do right now. On multiple fronts, America is weaker, and the world is more dangerous. And I blame Joe Biden.”

Tony Perkins is President of Family Research Council and host of the radio broadcast “Washington Watch,” which discusses current issues and frequently conducts interviews with members of Congress and prominent pro-family leaders from across the nation.

Mandel’s message hitting home with social conservatives (VIDEO)

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Josh Mandel, ABC WRGT Dayton

BUCYRUS– One candidate running for the U.S. Senate is running his campaign thru houses of faith and not thru the Republican National Committee. His unorthodox approach at the grassroots level is gaining momentum and is driving home the point that voters are not happy with the political establishment in Washington D.C.

Former State Treasurer Josh Mandel is running for U.S. Senator and will face primary challengers next Spring 2022. Mandel believes the Secular Left is trying to take GOD out of society and that the country needs to return back to the Bible and the Constitution. As a result, he is taking his message to the faith community with town halls throughout the state.

Josh Mandel with Pastors Tim Throckmorton and J.C. Church (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“Josh Mandel has consistently demonstrated unfailing love for GOD and Country. I have known Josh for many years and he is to my knowledge the only U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio starting his campaign thru the churches,” says Tim Throckmorton, President of Lifepoint Ministries, a recent attendee of a “Faith and Freedom” rally in Bucyrus.

In addition to the Bucyrus rally which hosted two-hundred held at Victory in Truth Ministries, Josh Mandel has held other rallies in churches in Toledo, and Dayton. The outreach to the faith community has garnered the endorsements of Throckmorton, along with Reverend J.C. Church, Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mr. David Freidman, and also the public policy group, Ohio Value Voters.

According to Throckmorton, “Josh’s principled leadership beginning back when he started as an Ohio State Representative has inspired and greatly benefited Ohioans. He has proven to be accountable and responsible in every role of State leadership he has served. I do believe Josh Mandel’s track record on issues of Life, Family, and Religious Freedom resonates with clergy and people of faith.”

“Josh Mandel has consistently demonstrated unfailing love for GOD and Country. To my knowledge, he is the only U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio starting his campaign thru churches. His principled leadership beginning back when he started as an Ohio State Representative has inspired and greatly benefited Ohioans. He has proven to be accountable and responsible in every role of State leadership he has served. I do believe Josh Mandel’s track record on issues of Life, Family, and Religious Freedom resonates with clergy and people of faith.”

Tim Throckmorton, LIfepointe ministries

Josh Mandel has championed the cause for Religious Freedom. During Mandel’s freshman term as State Representative, the State House Speaker tried to censor a prayer at the beginning of legislative session when a pastor prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. Immediately following the session, members of the media interviewed Mandel, who is Jewish, asking if he was offended by the prayer.

Mandel responded by saying he was not offended. He explained to the media that “In America, we exercise freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Pastors should be free to give any prayer they choose.”

The former State Treasurer is also not shy about his love of country. Recently in his weekly “Faith at Four” conference call with Ohio clergy, Mandel addressed concerns by pastors over public education.

Reverend J.C. Church pictured with U.S. Senate Candidate Josh Mandel at Mar-a-Lago (Photo courtesy of J.C. Church)

“I want my children to experience Judeo-Christian values in their generation. I do not support indoctrination of our kids with liberal values like Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project which seeks to subvert our nation’s rich national heritage. I want to protect our American culture. And that also means that boys should only compete in athletics with those of the same biological gender.”

Mandel adds, “If you want a Senator who will never take a knee in the culture wars – who will protect life, defend religious liberty and safeguard our children from the Secular Left’s assault on our values, I am running to be your United States Senator and would be honored to fight alongside of you.”

Reaching social conservatives may be just what Mandel needs in the homestretch.

View the video below describing how the faith of others had a profound impact on Josh Mandel’s family.

Related article:

Josh Mandel reaches conservative celebrity status after being censored by cancel culture

Photo credit: ABC Dayton WRGT

The Bottom Line:

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Despite Beltway disbelief, area National Day of Prayer still set for May 6th (SLIDESHOW)

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NORTH CENTRAL OHIO — For the first time in seventy years, there will be no public prayer service at the United States Capitol Building on the National Day of Prayer (NDOP). As the federal government inches closer to a totalitarian state, the separation between Washington D.C. and the rest of the nation broadens. Although the national observance designated by Congress will not be taking place on Capitol grounds, prayer observances on May 6th will still be taking place throughout North Central Ohio.

In one of the largest NDOP observances in the state, only one hundred tickets remain for the Ashland County Community Prayer Breakfast. Scheduled between 6:30-7:59 AM Thursday morning at the Ashland University Convocation Center, the event can also be accessed online from the Ashland County Ministerial Association Facebook. $20 Tickets for a plated breakfast can be purchased by clicking here.

Ashland clergy prayer at City Hall during pandemic in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Ashland County Pictures Facebook)

Keynote speaker at the Convocation center will feature Rob Walgate of the American Policy Roundtable, The event will follow the COVID protocol for the University which is to wear a mask into the event and using distance seating with six persons per table. Seating will be limited to three hundred persons in the room.

Other NDOP assemblies will be taking place later in the day throughout North Central Ohio.

The Richland County observance will be taking place outdoors at the Mansfield Central Park Gazebo between 11:30-1:00 pm. The event, sponsored by the Richland Community Prayer Network, will have worship and facilitated prayer by various leaders taking place. Outdoor attire and law chairs are recommended.

2019 Richland County NDOP Observance (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

At noon time Galion will have a webcast originating from the Galion City Council Chambers. With no outline this year, the observance will have a unified flow of prayer where participants can pray up to five minutes each.

The Bellville NDOP observance will take place at 6:00 pm in the old fire station room across from the Bellville Bandstand. The service will be led by area clergy.

The Shelby NDOP observance will also begin at 6:00 pm at the Amphitheater in downtown Shelby. Several guests will be taking part including Mayor Reverend Steve Schag and State Representative Marilyn John. Pastor Doug Tackett will be bringing a message during the service followed by a forty-five minute concert by the local gospel-singing Glory Way Quartet. The event will be live-streamed on Facebook and broadcasted on 88.5 FM. Parking is available around the Central School and football stadium.

  • Bellville NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Neal Costick)
  • Galion NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Terry Seymour)
  • Ashland NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Jimmi Delay)
  • Shelby clergy with Fire Dept for prayer service in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Mansfield NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
  • Bellville NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Neal Costick)
  • Galion NDOP in 2019 (Photo courtesy of Terry Seymour)
  • Mansfield NDOP in 2019
  • In 2020, 120 Area clergy call for prayer & fasting (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Related articles:

National Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving goes viral in Mansfield (SLIDESHOW)
Photo Gallery of 2019 Ashland Community Prayer Breakfast (VIDEO)
Miracles abound at Galion Day of Prayer on square

The Bottom Line:

2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.”

72 Ohio clergy give ‘vote of no confidence’ to Dominion voting machines

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MANSFIELD — A group of clergy are concerned about the integrity of future elections and skeptical their current election machine vendor can be a good-faith partner in votes to come. After the vendor acquired a negative track record in other state elections across the country, the clergy are calling for change. As a result, they want to hold the company accountable and ‘pull the plug’ on their electronic voting machines.

Receiving what they said were “disturbing bipartisan reports” about their election machine vendor, seventy-two clergy recently sent a correspondence to Richland County election officials discussing future elections.

In their letter the clergy wrote, “We humbly suggest that under the recommendation of the Richland County Board of Commissioners, the Board of Election replace the election machine vendor to reassure the public local elections are as secure as can be.  Due to recent revelations on its reputation of non-transparency and dishonesty as an election system administrator, we give Dominion Voting Systems ‘a vote of no confidence.”

Clergy pictured: James Spencer, Les Farley, & Chad Hayes. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Whether it is anti-transparency contracts with government entities or misleading claims about remote access, Dominion Voting Systems does not find itself in good standing with the faith community. The clergy letter referenced public records confirming the DuPage County Clerk and Chief Deputy from Illinois signing an anti-transparency contract with Dominion Voting Systems. Public records also show the Chicago Board of Elections arranging Dominion Voting Systems to have remote access to voter registration information, poll books, and requests for absentee ballots seven months prior to the 2020 elections.

The clergy correspondence noted access to this information by Dominion contractors from anywhere was dangerous considering representatives of the company had already publicly demonstrated animus towards one Presidential candidate.

While Dominion Voting Systems claims their voting machines do not rely on Internet connectivity, the clergy letter pointed out that ten independent cybersecurity experts prior to the 2020 elections found a number of Dominion Voting Systems’ voting machines to be connected online, leaving the voting system at risk. In the NBC News report, Dominion admitted they put modems in some of their tabulators and scanners. Those modems connect to cell phone networks, which in turn, connect to the Internet.

For this reason, the State of Texas denied certification of Dominion’s Image Cast X 5.5 ballot marking device due to concerns over its vulnerability to fraudulent and unauthorized manipulation.

“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” said Pastor Chad Hayes. “Requests to have these voting machines forensically audited has also led to unmerciful litigation of individuals totaling billions of dollars; an action which the vendor in question boasts about on its own website.  Heavy-handed actions like these by administrators of a county’s voting system will ultimately lead to voter suppression. Based on their record, the vendor is not going to go the extra mile for the voters.”

“One would think an election machine vendor would want to publicly showcase their product during a forensic audit and get free advertising. On the contrary, Dominion Voting Systems has sued persons calling for further examination of their machines. After these nationally-reported cases demonstrating lack of security, transparency, and neutrality, something appears to be amiss with Dominion’s services. As the Bible says, ‘A just weight and balance are the LORD’s.’ We (clergy) are asking our county officials to do their best to provide election integrity. Voter turnout in future elections depends on it.”

Pastor James spencer

The clergy letter went further. “This begs the question: in the event results from Richland County voting machines are refuted in a future local election, will citizens also be subject to these same bullying tactics by the election machine vendor?  During a challenge, will Richland County’s election machine vendor be considered infallible?”   

“One would think an election machine vendor would want to publicly showcase their product during a forensic audit and get free advertising,” says Pastor James Spencer. “On the contrary, Dominion Voting Systems has sued persons calling for further examination of their machines. After these nationally-reported cases demonstrating lack of security, transparency, and neutrality, something appears to be amiss with Dominion’s services. As the Bible says, ‘A just weight and balance are the LORD’s.’ We (clergy) are asking our county officials to do their best to provide election integrity. Voter turnout in future elections depends on it.”

Because of the seeds of distrust that have been sown by the election machine vendor from the 2020 elections, Stark County, Ohio recently terminated its contract with Dominion to purchase 1,400 voting machines. Similarly, the State of Louisiana terminated its request for proposal with the vendor in question involving a one hundred million dollar contact for new voting machines. After an audit stated Dominion voting machines should not be used in Michigan, Antrim County also discontinued use of Dominion’s voting machines.

The Ohio clergy say the Republic’s days are numbered if citizens are not actively participating in the election process. According to Pastor Les Farley, “The Bible says the heart is deceitful above all things. If there is no accountability in the election process, a candidate or a political party unchecked will try to win by any means possible, by hook or by crook. We need to get involved.”

Related articles:

Ohio pastors say majority of Americans believe election stolen
Former Ohio Secretary of State calls Presidential election an ‘electoral larceny’

The Bottom Line:

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”

Planned Parenthood finally admits its racist and eugenic ties…but continues same policies (VIDEO)

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MANSFIELD — After decades of denial, America’s largest abortion provider admitted that its founder was a white supremist and eugenics advocate. Planned Parenthood finally ‘came clean’ after their admission except for one important detail, Planned Parenthood still targets babies in minority populations.

The organization recently wrote in a New York Times Op-Ed that Margaret Sanger, its founder, spoke to a women’s auxiliary of the Ku Klux Klan at a rally in New Jersey to generate support for birth control.

Planned Parenthood also confessed Sanger endorsed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1927 decision allowing states to sterilize people deemed ‘unfit’ without their consent and knowledge. The ruling led to the sterilization of tens of thousands of people in the twentieth century. The first human trials of the birth control pill were conducted with Sanger’s backing in Puerto Rico, where as many as 1,500 women were not told that the drug was experimental or that they might experience dangerous side effects.

Sadly, Planned Parenthood is still on the same course of killing generations of people with disabilities and Black, Latino, Asians and Indigenous peoples.

Black babies account for nearly thirty-six percent of abortions in the United States, despite only making up thirteen percent of the population.

On top of that, Planned Parenthood is currently fighting against anti-eugenic laws in multiple states.

Critics cast doubt on Planned Parenthood’s authenticity in decrying the organization’s overt racism, pointing out that it simultaneously advocates for the legal right to perform abortions motivated by the child’s sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Despite Planned Parenthood, the pro-life movement continues in North Central Ohio. The pregnancy crisis center Richland Pregnancy Services assists mothers and fathers in crisis. Activists and clergymen continue their efforts locally to do what they can to protect the sanctity of life.

View the video below by EWTN Nightly News discussing Planned Parenthood’s recent admission of its racist and eugenic ties.

See related articles:

‘Unborn Lives Matter’ the message at March for Life (SLIDESHOW)
As Planned Parenthood loses grip on Ohio, will Mansfield clinic be next to close? (VIDEO)
108 North central Ohio clergy send letter to resist judicial tyranny (SLIDESHOW)(VIDEO)

Faith leaders oppose removing protections for police officers

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Area clergy publicly support police immunity in 2021, stand with Sheriff & his dept. vehicles that have national motto (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

MANSFIELD — On a largely party-line vote, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R.1280, a massive overhaul of American policing that would make it easier to sue police officers. If the bill becomes law, one of its provisions would abolish “qualified immunity” for all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.  According to some leaders, this bill would open the floodgates of lawsuits.

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine shielding government officials from lawsuits unless they have violated clearly established law. According to local leaders, H.R. 1280 is misguided and eliminating qualified immunity will leave police officers slow to act when the law is unclear.

Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“I urge the Members of the U.S. Senate to vote ‘no’ on H.R. 1280 in its current form, wrote Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon in his letter to Ohio’s two U.S. Senators. “Eliminating qualified immunity will keep law enforcement officers from making crucial, split-second, life or death decisions to stop a lethal threat. Innocent victims and officers will be hurt or killed as a result. In addition, this bill will remove qualified immunity for peace officers in jail operations and allow lawsuits for medical decisions, failure to protect, suicides in jails, and many other situations not involving use of force.”

Sheriff Sheldon also believes H.R. 1280 is trying to micromanage local law enforcement agencies which will result in a mass exodus of police officers in large metropolitan areas where they are needed most.

Social justice movements to defund the police have grown since George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis. More than twenty major cities have reduced their police budgets in some form, though the scale and circumstances vary. Homicides and violent crime have skyrocketed in many of these cities following these budget cuts.

“Qualified immunity allows police officers to first think about others in dangerous situations. Removing it will force police officers to first consider themselves before intervening which could harm the very people they are employed to serve. If nameless and faceless vaccine corporations like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna have qualified immunity, how much more should our often underpaid peace officers, who put their lives at risk and whose only wish at the end of the day is to come home safely.”

Reverend El Akuchie, GOdsfield House of Prayer

Pastor Robert Kurtz from Mansfield Baptist Temple serves as chaplain with the Sheriff’s Department. Besides riding along with deputies on duty, his duties include counseling police officers and also families dealing with homicide and suicide. He believes there area national players who want to remove local authority of the police.

“I think H.R.1280 demonstrates there are leaders in Washington D.C. that want to take local control away and to federalize our local police so they have more control.”

“There are many dangerous challenges that confront law enforcement officers in our streets today. I think the public forgets police officers are human beings too. Nationally, there were forty-five police officers from different racial backgrounds last year who were shot and killed in the line of duty. My observation is, with the legalization of so many illicit drugs, it is creating the atmosphere for violence and that is why we are seeing these combustible conditions. The Book of Proverbs tells us, ‘Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, ‘How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”

Reverend El Akuchie and Pastor Robert Kurtz (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Before castigating the police for the sake of social justice, it is wise to look at the data. Research conducted by a notable African-American economist at Harvard University reveals a lack of racial bias in police shootings. According to the statistics used in Professor Roland Fryer’s study, officers are more likely to fire their weapons without having first been attacked when the suspect is white. Fryer’s research analyzed more than a thousand shootings in ten major police departments.

Police use deadly force under 1,000 times out of 30 million violent felony criminal contacts per year, which is a 0.0004 percent chance of being shot by the police. In America, “there is a greater change of being struck by lightning than to be shot by police. In 2019, the NYPD with 35,000 officers only fired their weapons in the line of duty thirty-four times.

According to Reverend El Akuchie, “Qualified immunity allows police officers to first think about others in dangerous situations. Removing it will force police officers to first consider themselves before intervening which could harm the very people they are employed to serve. If nameless and faceless vaccine corporations like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna have qualified immunity, how much more should our often underpaid peace officers, who put their lives at risk and whose only wish at the end of the day is to come home safely.”

Related articles:

101 Clergy salute law enforcement, encouraging area to thank police (SLIDESHOW) (VIDEO)
Mansfield Baptist Temple holds service honoring law enforcement (Photo Gallery)
Faith community a key contributor for positive race relations (SLIDESHOW)

The Bottom Line:

Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Ashland pastor says Canadian tyranny another example of how gov’t will never control Church (VIDEO)

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SAVANNAH — At least one church has gone underground in Alberta, Canada, after the government closed the church to prevent congregants from attending services. In what is believed to be a first for the western world, the government triple-fenced the church, locked out its members, and imprisoned its pastor at a maximum-security prison.

Pastor John Bouquet

Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church was jailed for a month violating Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions after holding services during the pandemic. One Ohio pastor supports Coates’ courage and believes governments around the world are learning they are powerless in stopping the Church.

“James Coats is a modern-day Daniel,” says Pastor John Bouquet. “He is a living testimony of how this culture is never going to stop the living Church. The government may try to lock our church up but no one is going to stop us. The true Church is not a building, it is a body. Whenever government impedes the church, it always backfires on them; the Church will always grow stronger. They can put me in jail but there is always another guy who will take my place.”

Coates was released from jail earlier in March and returned to preaching for his congregation at an undisclosed location.

GraceLife Church from Alberta, Canada. (Photo courtesy of Screenshot from

Churches are allowed to be open according to Alberta’s COVID restrictions, but churches must limit their capacity to fifteen percent. Alberta Health Services has not said there have been COVID outbreaks due to the church.

Church officials released a public statement detailing how the church originally followed orders. In July, when two attendees tested positive for the virus, the church initiated contact tracing and shifted to online services for two weeks. Church officials claim that since that time, the church has met for twenty-eight consecutive Sundays without incident.

“James Coats is a modern-day Daniel. He is a living testimony of how this culture is not going to stop the living Church. The government may try to lock our church up, but no one is going to stop us. The true Church is not a building, it is a body. Whenever government impedes the church, it will backfire on them. The Church will always go on. They can put me in jail, but there is always another guy who will take my place.”

Pastor John Bouquet

It added that while none of its members have died from COVID-19, one congregant died because they were denied necessary health care due to lockdowns. The statement noted:

“By the time the so-called “pandemic” is over, if it is ever permitted to be over, Albertans will be utterly reliant on government, instead of free, prosperous, and independent. As such, we believe love for our neighbor demands that we exercise our civil liberties. We do not see our actions as perpetuating the longevity of COVID-19 or any other virus that will inevitably come along. If anything, we see our actions as contributing to its end — the end of destructive lockdowns and the end of the attempt to institutionalize the debilitating fear of viral infections. Our local church is clear evidence that governmental lockdowns are unnecessary. In fact, it is also evidence of how harmful they are. Without going into detail, we recently lost the life of one of our precious congregants who was denied necessary health care due to government lockdown measures.”

The Rev. James Coates preaches at GraceLife church, near Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo courtesy of screenshot from GraceLife Church video)

According to data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control published August 26th 2020, ninety-four percent of people who have died of the COVID infection in the United States had at least one other pre-existing condition, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

Last April of 2020, Pastor Bouquet led a band of one hundred clergy calling for Ohio Governor DeWine to end the COVID-19 lockdown.

According to Bouquet, “The institutional church operates in fear and has more concern keeping members safe rather than sanctified. The government may have stopped flailing institutional churches, but the churches in Ashland (Ohio) that are fighting these COVID restrictions are growing. It is my opinion that this pandemic is separating the wheat from worthless chaff.”

View the Rebel News video interview with Pastor James Coates below.

See related articles:

Ohio Court says health department cannot suspend licenses over masks
100 clergy want conclusion to Ohio Stay at Home Orders

The Bottom Line:

Daniel 6 says that when Daniel learned that the decree was signed, he went into his house and in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his GOD as was his custom since early days.”

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