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Pro-Life leaders say critics in a logjam after courthouse tree vigil

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MANSFIELD — After critics of a new landscaping plan held a vigil April 5th on the courthouse lawn eulogizing dead trees, supporters of the outdoor facelift believe the green movement group is “barking up the wrong tree.” One Pro-Life activist says he has never seen any of the participants depicted in the WMFD-TV video of the courthouse candlelight ceremony at weekly prayer vigils at Planned Parenthood.

“It is revealing that these tree advocates are not mourning the loss of human life,” says Greg Jevnikar. “In my opinion they are sending the youth of North Central Ohio the wrong message, focusing on the welfare of trees instead of human beings.”

Commissioner Vero (standing) presenting new county courthouse landscaping plan.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

According to Reverend James Spencer of Peoples’ Baptist Church, “The vigil eulogizing the trees held in the courthouse front lawn had nothing to do with Biblical faith. And the song “Amazing Grace” played by the bagpipes (during the ceremony) was irreverent, the church hymn has nothing to do with trees, only human beings receive grace.”

County Commissioner Tony Vero told Frontlines Ohio that ten of the twelve trees removed from the County Courthouse grounds were large tulip poplars that were more than fifty feet high and adjacent to a public building. “Originally the maintenance department brought this safety issue to our (Commissioner Board’s) attention when one to the trees fell down across the sidewalk, along with several other large branches. A number of big branches have fallen during several high wind events and this has become a continual maintenance issue.”

Outspoken critic Cathy Goldman called the new landscaping plan “the execution and destruction of the trees,” an unforgivable act” and that the commissioners “did not deserve to be public officials.”

Reverend James Spencer (Submitted photo)

Both Jevnikar and Pastor Spencer believe the liberal group has an axe to grind with the Commissioner Board which is composed of three Republicans.

“When a person says the trees that were cut down were “executed” and that it was “an unforgivable act,” that person has elevated a tree to the status of personhood, says Pastor Spencer. “This is morally wrong, it’s absurd, and it leads to the tearing down of justice.”

“Isaiah 59:14-15 laments ‘Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth.’ If they want to talk about injustice, let’s talk about babies, let’s talk about mothers. While animal cruelty is wrong, infanticide is evil and the ideology behind infanticide by people who have the ability to reason is sinister,” says the Pastor.


“If they want to talk about injustice, let’s talk about babies, let’s talk about mothers. While animal cruelty is wrong, infanticide is evil and the ideology behind infanticide by people who have the ability to reason is sinister.”

Pastor James Spencer

According Jevnikar, this ideology has led to destructive public policy. “While sixty million babies and counting are being murdered in this country, our federal government makes it a felony to disturb turtle eggs and eagle eggs because the eggs contain babies inside. On the other hand, ultrasound and other technologies confirm that inside a pregnant mother’s womb is a living baby with a heartbeat. It seems ideology and not biology drive these activists and the federal government.”

Pastor Spencer comments, “As Romans 1:25 and 28 states, ” They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.”

“I am thankful that we do not have have politicians on the Commissioners’ Board like those in Virginia, New York City or Washington D.C.. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Jevnikar adds, “Clearly the local green movement lost a lot of credibility with this.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Romans One, “GOD also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of GOD into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator..”

General Boykin makes explosive visit to Ohio as his detractors implode (VIDEO)

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BUCYRUS — This weekend, retired Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin visited Victory in Truth Ministries as special guest for the ‘Men of Valor” Men’s Conference. The General did not mince his words as he inspired the men to be warriors on the front lines and not spectators on the sidelines.

(Ret.) General Jerry Boykin

The General discussed the importance of the Buckeye State and how conservatives believe they cannot win a Presidential election without the support of Ohio. He also mentioned that pro life groups are studying how Ohio family values advocates have been able to partner with legislators to protect the sanctity of life.

Boykin serves as the Executive Vice President of Family Research Council (FRC) and is an ordained minister. With 36 years in the army, the last four years as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, Boykin also was one of the original members of the Delta Force and later became Commander Delta Force and the Army’s Green Berets.

The general spoke to over one hundred men at the conference about being on a mission for GOD. “I encourage you to run for one of the most important positions in the community: the local school board. As Christians we should seek positions of leadership to preserve Biblical values in our culture.”

The General has worked with Reverend J.C. Church who he first met at FRC while rallying pastors to engage in cultural issues. The two now work together to extend Church’s Ohio Awake 88 model to other states.

While Boykin has been invited to many speaking engagements, he also has had a number of disinvites due to complaints by left-wing atheists, Islamists, and liberal groups like the National Council of Churches. “Despite my public service to this country, these groups are trying to censor me and discredit my platform. They have a hatred for the U.S. Constitution and my First Amendment freedoms of religion and speech.”

Pastor J.C. Church (right) with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch radio show.
(Photo courtesy of VITM)

Boykin saves his severest criticisms for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) which because of their Marxist and sexist ideologies, he calls “the most evil organization in America.” As judgers of hate, SPLC has published a hate group list that has been used as the golden seal of disapproval by corporations like Apple, JP Morgan, government agencies, and Floyd Corkins.

Corkins, an LGBT activist, shot and wounded a FRC employee on August 15, 2012 as he was trying to gain entry to the FRC offices and kill as many as he could. Armed with a 9 mm pistol and nearly one hundred rounds, Corkins admitted in court that he selected his targets from the SPLC web site which features a “hate map.”

The purportedly “neutral” civil rights watchdog publishes a map of hate groups to which it now has expanded to include Christian groups following Biblical tenants. The political opponents included on the “hate list” are stigmatized as bigots.


“The people who subscribe to our philosophy at Family Research Council love adulterers, murders, liars, thieves and homosexuals, but do not approve of those lifestyle choices. On the flip-side, the subscribers of SPLC disagree with our family lifestyles and some of their disciples believe they have the license to kill (using hate map). Consequently, the court of opinion has massively shifted in our favor.”

(Ret) Lt. General Jerry Boykin, Vice President of Family research council

“The people who subscribe to our philosophy at Family Research Council love adulterers, murders, liars, thieves and homosexuals, but do not approve of those lifestyle choices. On the flip-side, the subscribers of SPLC disagree with our family lifestyles and some of their disciples believe they have the license to kill (using hate map). The court of opinion has massively shifted in our favor.”

SPLC is currently experiencing a meltdown with the recent firing of its co-founder and resignation by its President occurring last month. Recently two dozen employees revealed that the organization has operated on the inside with racist and sexist practices while profiting for a left-wing agenda. On top of that, SPLC is under investigation for allegedly violating 501(C)(3) requirements, as it has over a hundred million dollars in offshore accounts.

According to the General, “The biggest threat to America is compromise in the church that carries no moral compass. It is shocking to see church denominations support same-sex marriage and seeing clergy dressed in their robes protesting Heartbeat Bills across the nation. The spiritual battle lines could not be any clearer.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Judges Six, “GOD said to Gideon, ‘The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor.”

View the Fox News video below of Tony Perkins discussing the SPLC.

Some say local profits from Rover pipeline have Biblical significance (VIDEO)

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MANSFIELD — Some say a natural gas pipeline coming to the area is a Divine blessing following diplomatic efforts by clergy that took international stage. The region is stepping on the gas and as a result, the economy may be taking off.

Last week the Rover Pipeline reported it has paid more than three million dollars to Richland County in annual property taxes in 2018, with more than sixty-nine million dollars paid across the state.

Pastor Robert Kurtz (Photo courtesy of Mansfield Baptist Temple)

“There is something precious and beautiful about seeing GOD’s hand of blessing as a community seeks Him,” says Pastor Robert Kurtz of Mansfield Baptist Temple. “We can be grateful for the leadership that GOD has provided in Richland County and all glory goes to GOD for this new injection (pipeline) of income.”

Pastor Kurtz was one of group of over one hundred area clergy who sent a correspondence to the Israeli Prime Minister defending Israel’s sovereignty of its land. He believes the uncanny timing of the Rover Pipeline approval could not have come at a better time, especially when energy projects often go contested.”

The massive seven hundred mile pipeline was approved for construction thru North Central Ohio just ten days after the letter was delivered to the Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Describing the abundance of natural resources as a “blessing” is not foreign in the marketplace of ideas. In 2010, the discovery of an onshore oil site was made in Northern Israel by the exploration company Givot Olam. The company based its search for oil in Israel on Biblical texts. Prior to this discovery, large natural gas fields off the coast with Biblical names like “Leviathan” and “Tamar.”


“”We can be grateful for the leadership that GOD has provided in Richland County and all glory goes to GOD for this new injection (pipeline) of income.”

Pastor Robert Kurtz, Mansfield Baptist Temple

According to Pastor Kurtz, the Bible is not silent about natural resources.

“Isaiah 45 talks about the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places. Likewise, Deuteronomy 32 describes how GOD allows man to eat the increase of the fields and suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.”

Fracking has made it possible to access deposits of shale oil and natural gas in subterranean rock. Israel’s oil-shale reserves could amount to as much as two hundred-fifty billion barrels and bring great wealth and leverage in an unstable region.

“Just as GOD provided the Promised Land for the Israelite nation full of milk and honey, perhaps the land we are stewarding can provide blessings if we walk in obedience to GOD,” says Pastor Kurtz.


The Rover Pipeline transports more than three
billion cubic feet per day of natural gas for delivery to markets across the U.S.
(Photo courtesy of Rover Pipeline)

Benefits of the pipeline will help stimulate the local and state economy. Annual taxes paid by the Rover Pipeline are used to support local needs such as: schools, libraries, roads, hospitals, health departments and senior citizen centers. In addition, Rover Pipeline has donated more than $375,000 to a variety of local non-profits and emergency management associations along the route. 

The full Rover Pipeline project officially went into service November of 2018. Rover expects to pay $165 million across the state in 2019.

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Job Twenty-eight, “There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.”

View video below discussing the benefits of the Rover Pipeline by local town‘s people. (4 min. duration)

See related articles:

103 Ohio clergy send apology letter to Israeli Prime Minister
40 clergy see immediate returns after Richland County invests in Israeli bonds (VIDEO)

Ohio Catholic School Sues City to Protect Civil Rights and Religious Freedom (VIDEO)

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SOUTH EUCLID – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing a small, Catholic college preparatory school filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to challenge an Ohio city’s ordinance that requires the school to violate its religious beliefs in employment, admissions, and other policies or risk fines and jail time.

The Lyceum provides its students with a faith-integrated, classical education and seeks to form “lifelong learners in a joyful pursuit of the Truth, who is Christ.” As a faith community, the school seeks to abide by and convey the teachings of the Bible and the doctrine of the Catholic Church, including their teachings on marriage and sexuality. But in 2018, the South Euclid City Council passed a sweeping ordinance that could force the school to hire teachers or enroll students who disagree with its mission and teachings.

“Religious schools like The Lyceum must be free to operate consistently with their faith without fear of unjust government punishment—that is their right under the First Amendment,” said ADF Legal Counsel Christiana Holcomb. “But the city’s ordinance threatens this small school with criminal penalties simply for selecting faculty and students who share its religious convictions. The Lyceum’s parents, students, and faculty have agreed to live by community standards rooted in Catholic teaching. The city’s hostile regulation not only threatens the school, it also undermines the rights of parents and students who deliberately seek out this unique, faith-based education.”

Initial drafts of the South Euclid ordinance contained an explicit provision that allowed religious organizations to act consistently with their mission and teachings, but the city council removed those protections from the final text. The ordinance is also vague, making it impossible for The Lyceum’s administrators to know whether the school’s policies are in violation of the law.

Although the school has made multiple attempts to obtain clarification, the city twice illegally refused to answer the school’s public records request. And when the school directly asked the city whether its ordinance applies to The Lyceum, the city refused to say. So the school’s leaders are left with no other option but to proceed to federal court, reasonably fearing that living out and articulating their faith would directly violate city law and put them at risk of an up to $500 fine, restitution, or up to 60 days in jail per occurrence.


“Unfortunately, South Euclid is threatening to crush The Lyceum because of its beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court has recently made it clear on at least two occasions that the First Amendment continues to protect the belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.


Christiana Holcomb , ADF Legal Counsel

“The First Amendment doesn’t allow government hostility, targeting, or discrimination against religious schools because of their beliefs,” said Holcomb. “Unfortunately, South Euclid is threatening to crush The Lyceum because of its beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court has recently made it clear on at least two occasions that the First Amendment continues to protect the belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. That’s why we’re asking a federal court to stop the city from enforcing its flawed and hostile law.”

The lawsuit, The Lyceum v. The City of South Euclid—filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division—argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment, the 14th Amendment, and the Ohio Constitution. Matthew Nee, one of more than 3,300 attorneys allied with ADF, is serving as local counsel in the case for the church.

Case summary: The Lyceum v. The City of South Euclid

Guest Column: Federal Gov’t ends cat abuse, but throws baby out with the bathwater

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Democrats might not lift a finger to help a newborn, but when it comes to kittens? They pounce. Just two weeks after Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) party started crusading to end cat abuse, the USDA had good news. A policy of humane treatment is now in full effect — just not, unfortunately, for children.

Tony Perkins
Family Research Council

While Democrats cheered the announcement, 197 Republicans were marching down the House floor to try to get Pelosi’s party to give the same protection to human infants. Even Tuesday, after 25 tries, only two Democrats — Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) — had the moral clarity and courage to sign on to the discharge petition that would force the House to go on the record about the practice of killing innocent babies. Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up!

Even the Democrats’ statements were shockingly tone-deaf. While the GOP scrambled to find liberals with the decency to fight infanticide, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) praised the government for ending the brutality against cats. “I commend the USDA for their decision to end this type of testing on kittens,” he said with absolutely no sense of irony. “They listened to the people and responded appropriately to our concerns. This is how our institutions, our government, and our democracy should work.”

Just replace the word “kittens” with “newborns,” and you’ll see how indefensible the Left’s position on infanticide sounds. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the Senate sponsor of the bill, argued, “The KITTEN Act will protect these innocent animals from being needlessly euthanized… and make sure that they can be adopted by loving families instead.” Now imagine him saying, “The [Born-alive Survivors Protection Act] will protect these innocent [infants] from being needlessly [killed]… and make sure they can be adopted by loving families instead.”

Unfortunately, that’s the duplicity of the Left. They worry about the humane treatment of pets only to turn around and lobby for newborns to be killed on a table. At least KITTEN cosponsor Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has the dignity to oppose all kinds of violence. He may have championed the cats, but he also signed the discharge petition.


“When the CDC says there were 143 cases of babies born alive between 2002-2014, the agency is only basing that number on the reports from six states! Factor in the other 44 — and the hundreds of undocumented “snippings” by monsters like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen — and we’re talking about entire schools of born children disappearing because Democrats won’t act. ”

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council

Making the story even more incredible, the USDA points out in its statement that it’s in the process of adopting “these 14 cats.” Democrats complain that there aren’t enough abortion survivors to worry about, but they started a national campaign based on a handful of animals? There are literally hundreds of infants being thrown out like garbage every year — a fact we know thanks to eye witnesses like Jill Stanek. When the CDC says there were 143 cases of babies born alive between 2002-2014, the agency is only basing that number on the reports from six states! Factor in the other 44 — and the hundreds of undocumented “snippings” by monsters like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen — and we’re talking about entire schools of born children disappearing because Democrats won’t act. Maybe if they started meowing, liberals would care.

Help send Nancy Pelosi’s party a message about their upside-down priorities. Join our End Birth Day Abortion campaign and add to the tens of thousands of newborn hats that will be flooding the Democrat’s office.

Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published by the Family Research Council.

Tony Perkins is President of Family Research Council. Tony is the host of a daily, nationally syndicated radio show, Washington Watch with Tony Perkins. He frequently appears as a guest on national news programs and talk shows.

Balderson requests Dept. of Justice Track Rise in Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes

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ZANESVILLE – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) sent a letter today to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting the department’s assistance in identifying the scope of the rise in anti-Semitism in the United States.

“What’s most disturbing about the rise in anti-Semitism across the United States is how little is being done to combat it,” said Congressman Troy Balderson. “This letter is just the first step. Fighting bigotry in all forms begins with individuals’ respect and compassion for others. This unquestionably includes our nation’s leaders, including Members of Congress, who should be held to a higher level of decorum.”

Rep. Troy Balderson

The letter is the result of a survey Congressman Balderson sent mid-March asking his constituents what Congress should do to combat anti-Semitism. The number-one response from 38% of respondents was for Congress to send such a letter. The number-two response from 25% of respondents was for Congress to pass a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, which Congressman Balderson voted for in March.

16 fellow Members of Congress signed the letter, including Congressmen Mike Turner (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), David Joyce (R-OH), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Bob Latta (R-OH), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Peter King (R-NY), Tom Cole (R-OK), John Katko (R-NY), and Randy Weber (R-TX).

Balderson, along with Gibbs were both vocal critics of past comments made by Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MINN) in a previous Frontlines Ohio article.

To read the full correspondence, click here.



See Related Article: Ohio Congressmen and area ministers agree: no room for anti-Semitism in Congress

Does the Heartbeat Bill go far enough in protecting babies? One activist disagrees (VIDEO)

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COLUMBUS — After easily passing the Senate , the Heartbeat Bill (SB 23) is now being discussed in the Ohio House. The bill is designed to prohibit abortions after a heartbeat has been detected in an unborn baby; as early as six weeks. But one local activist from Morrow County who testified before House Committee last week believes irreconcilable loopholes exist in the legislation.

Sarah Cleveland is a fifteen-year registered ultrasound tech who specializes in OBGYN work. Cleveland is involved with anti-abortion activism, is a foster parent, and also a home schooling parent of five. She believes the Heartbeat Bill should be changed to ban all abortions, not to regulate them.

Sarah Cleveland

Cleveland asks “How can the Heartbeat Bill (SB 23) claim that 90-95 % of all babies will be saved when one of the bill’s sponsors, Ohio Right to Life, correctly admits that the bill has a big open window up to twelve weeks (first trimester)?”

In her testimony on SB 23, she pointed out “In lines 439 thru 442, it states that any examination of the womb during pregnancy shall be done externally and not internally or thru a trans vaginal ultrasound. At six weeks, babies on the average are only 2-3 millimeters in size, therefore, the heartbeat likely will not be detected since only external scanning (tran abdominal ultrasounds) are required by the bill.”

With 89% of the abortions occurring in the first trimester according to the Gutmacher Institute, this presents a problem.

Even if a heartbeat can be detected, Cleveland asserts, it does not mean that the heartbeat will be documented.

“As someone who has operated an ultrasound machine for many years, the machine only takes pictures where I tell it to. It is 100 % operator dependent. I can choose not to see a heartbeat even if there is one. The machine can be easily manipulated. That is the problem of keeping abortion legally protected, it is trusting murderers to tell the truth.”


“As someone who has operated an ultrasound machine for many years, the machine only takes pictures where I tell it to. It is 100 % operator dependent. I can choose not to see a heartbeat even if there is one. The machine can be easily manipulated. That is the problem of keeping abortion legally protected, it is trusting murderers to tell the truth.”

Sarah Cleveland in SB 23 testimony to house COMMITTEE

“SB 23 still leaves the decision-making in the hands of mothers who are seeking abortions and in the hands of those abortionists who provide them,” says Cleveland.

She went on to criticize the provisions in SB 23 allowing abortion for good faith measures, medial necessity, and immediate inducement which ultimately are determined by abortionist doctors.

“The Heartbeat Bill in its current form has no checks and balances. As a professional in this field, I am testifying that It will still be easy to fulfill the requirements in this bill and still abort babies with beating hearts. ”

The crux of the matter according to Cleveland is that abortion is murder and that the murder of any human being was never intended to be regulated under the Constitution.

“Most importantly, murder is against the law of GOD,” says Cleveland. “We cannot expect GOD to bless us when we sit here trying to figure out how best regulate how, when, and where babies may be butchered.”

See related article:
Ohio Senate passes Heartbeat Bill by 19-13votehttp://frontlinesohio.com/index.php/2019/03/14/ohio-senate-passes-heartbeat-bill-by-19-13-vote/

Ohio Senate passes Pro-Life Heartbeat Bill

Local leaders support Trump recognition of Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli land (VIDEO)

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ONTARIO — As Palestinian rockets were bombarding civilian locations inside Israel, President Donald Trump officially recognized the Golan Heights as Israel’s sovereign territory this past Monday. Rabbi William Hallbrook of Sar Shalom Messianic Center, and one of his leaders, Steve McElhatten, both applauded the President’s bold move.

“As a Messianic Jewish Rabbi, I support our government’s recognition of Israel’s sovereignty of the Golan Heights. GOD’s word tells us that in the last days the Almighty will bring back a remnant of Israel to the Promised Land. This has happened as promised,” says Hallbrook, whose congregation meets at 2510 West Fourth Street in Ontario.

Elder Steve McEllhatten and Rabbi William Hallbrook believe the Trump Administration has been very favorable to Israel. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

During the ceremony on Monday, President Trump stated that under his administration, “the unbreakable alliance between United States and Israel has never been stronger.”

McElhatten believes that the Trump Administration has been a great ally to Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and now the Golan as Israeli territory. “Scripture tells us that, “those who bless Israel will be blessed”, and I pray that God’s great promise will result in continued blessings being poured out on our country.”

With the declaration, the U.S. State Department will be updating all government maps to reflect the change in policy. Presently the maps say the Golan is “Israeli occupied territories.”


“Just as Israel stood tall in 1967, just as it stood tall in 1973, Israel stands tall today. We hold the high ground and we shall never give it up,”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Both Hallbrook and McElhatten agree the Golan Heights is a strategic area for defending Israel from anti-Semitic forces who are calling for a genocide of the Jewish people.

“Having been to this border with Syria many times, it is easy to see how Israel’s enemies have used that high ground to launch missiles and mortars into the heart of Israel inflicting massive casualties,” says McElhatten. McElhatten has been to Israel a total of five times, leading tours of over fifty tourists . Hallbrook is scheduled to visit this Fall.

The position of Hallbrook and McElhatten on the Golan Declaration, along with recent staunch support from the area goes counter to past consensus. In 2005, a local rabbi and Jewish residents in the Mansfield area supported Israel’s withdraw from the Gaza Strip in exchange for peace with the Palestinians.


An image of the CIA’s map of Israel taken on March 28, 2019, that refers to the Golan Heights as “Israeli occupied.” (Library of Congress)

Internationally, the Trump Declaration was met with rabid opposition, with the United Nations Security Council voicing its opposition, and the European Union (EU), objecting to the U.S. recognition. Coincidentally, the EU is a trading partner with Iran. Historically , Israel took over the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 after it was attacked during the Six Day War. Israel later defended the Golan in 1973 in the Yom Kippur War, and annexed it in 1981.

“Just as Israel stood tall in 1967, just as it stood tall in 1973, Israel stands tall today. We hold the high ground and we shall never give it up,” declared a grateful Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We would have to wait nearly half a century later until this moment in the room (Golan declaration), to translate our military victory into a diplomatic victory. And that is why Mr. President, your decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights is so historic,” added Netanyahu.

“As the world’s only Jewish State, Israel has the right not only to dwell in the Land, but to be able to protect it.” says Hallbrook.

View the PBS News Hour video below of the press conference regarding the Golan Heights with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (13 min. duration)

Area clergy respond to recent spree of homicides (VIDEO)

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MANSFIELD — After thee homicides of close proximity in a matter of fifty-two hours, many local residents are left searching for answers. Several area pastors addressed this matter during their Sunday worship services.

Pastor Eric Byrom discussing the recent homicides. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“We corporately addressed the recent homicides for our Sunday services,” says Pastor Eric Byrom of Grace Fellowship. “Earlier on the night of the March for Prayer, we were not aware of what was happening as events were still unfolding. We had been praying about the local Opioid Crisis. Sometimes the LORD does not answer the way we would like.”

Grace Fellowship hosted one of those meetings the same evening as the first homicide that occurred at just several miles away

Previously the city experienced four consecutive years of declining violent crime, and last year crime was the lowest in ten years according to Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz.

Pastor Paul Lintern
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“Mansfield is still Godsfield” says Reverend Paul Lintern of Southside Christian Church. “Evil gets a foothold when we treat it as a coincidence and not an act of spiritual warfare. GOD sees the bigger picture.”

Lintern has helped coordinate a community-wide prayer initiative called “March of Prayer” where ongoing prayer services have been hosted every night at different churches since March 1st.

One point of view that should not be taken for granted are the police, says Mansfield City Police Chaplain Mark Dettmer.


“Our officers have to make split second decisions in the heat of the moment. We have to remember that behind that badge is a living and breathing person who has feelings and a family too.”

Mansfield Police Chaplain Mark Dettmer

“Our officers have to make split second decisions in the heat of the moment. We have to remember that behind that badge is a living and breathing person who has feelings and a family too.”

Chaplain Mark Dettmer
(Photo courtesy of City of Mansfield)

Reverend Randy Raynes of Mansfield Fellowship Baptist said he has a parishioner who lived in the middle of the first two homicides.

“She knew the the ninety-year old that was stabbed to death-he was her neighbor (second homicide). And she also lived nearly six hundred feet apart from the first homicide. Murders happen all the time, but this is different. Our culture is conditioning society to live a godless life and to not be responsible. Society wants the benefits of holiness but promotes an unholy life.”

Russell Stanford of All Believers in Christ Church at 1650 South Main agrees with Raynes.

Pastor Russell Stanford (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and GOD’s mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation-they will have no lack,” says Stanford. “GOD has made it explicitly clear in the Bible that untimely bloodshed, like abortion and murder sre wrong. Fortunately GOD gives us the power to make the right decisions in life. The responsibility falls on our shoulders-it is up to us to choose to obey His instructions.”

View the video below of a sermon given by Pastor Randy Raynes regarding the recent spree of violence in Mansfield.

See related articles:

Local ‘March of Prayer’ initiative comes into churches like a lion (VIDEO)
http://frontlinesohio.com/index.php/2019/03/18/breaking-news-mansfield-police-officer-involved-in-shooting/

Movie Review on “Unplanned” (VIDEO)

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Opening nationwide this weekend starting March 28th in Ontario is the movie:Unplanned.

It is the story of Abby Johnson, who as a college student had a sincere passion to help women. She became acquainted with the Planned Parenthood organization on campus and eventually became its youngest facility director. She even won an employee-of-the-year award serving in the capacity of facility director.

Greg Jevnikar

Unplanned is a true story based on Johnson’s 2010 book by the same name. The movie reveals some of the inner workings of an abortion clinic as only an insider can share it.

Although the movie has no nudity, profanity, gun violence, or sex scenes, it was given a R-rating. This should not deter anyone from seeing this movie.

(Check out Focus on the Family’s “Unplugged” for another Christian review)

Apparently, the restricted rating was attached to the movie because it briefly showed part of an ultrasound-guided abortion.

Ironically, many pro-abortion supporters insist that the fetus is not a human being until it is born. So there seems to be an admission, of sort, that abortion is, in fact, a violent procedure, which involves the destruction of human life.

Any girl 17 and under cannot see this movie unless they are accompanied by an adult. However, those same young women in many places can get an abortion even without parental consent. The movie is especially relevant to teens to counteract some of the so-called sex education they receive in government schools.


“The most poignant point in Abby’s story is when she is asked to assist in operating the ultrasound machine for an abortionist during a procedure, which is not her normal job responsibility. She finally comes face-to-face with the service, which she so willingly and naively sells to women.”

Greg Jevnikar

The most poignant point in Abby’s story is when she is asked to assist in operating the ultrasound machine for an abortionist during a procedure, which is not her normal job responsibility. She finally comes face-to-face with the service, which she so willingly and naively sells to women.

If you want to see the rest of the story that the mainstream media, Hollywood, academia, and even some churches won’t tell you regarding the life issue, I recommend you see this movie.

Greg Jevnikar is a healthcare professional and devoted Christ-follower. As a blogger and activist, he defends the sanctity of human life and traditional marriage .and participates in the Ohio Tea Party movement.

Editor’s Note: “Unplanned” finished fourth in the box office on its opening weekend despite its disputed “R” rating , its Twitter account being suspended on opening weekend, and being refused advertising by Lifetime, A&E, The Travel Channel, HGTV, The Food Network, and Hallmark USA Channels.

City of Mansfield proclaims “Problem Gambling Awareness Month”

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MANSFIELD — On Friday, Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker signed a proclamation declaring March as “Problem Gambling Awareness Month.” Presenting the proclamation to Reverend Denny Finnegan and Reverend Floyd Allen, Theaker’s proclamation stated that “the social costs of problem gambling are about $7 billion per year in the United States from incarcerations, bankruptcies, and other addictions associated with the vice.”

Pictured: Rev. Floyd Allen and
Rev. Denny Finnegan

According to the proclamation, pathological gamblers are between 3-4 times more likely to be arrested and/or spend time in jail as a result of crimes including domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, theft, and fraud.

Serving as Pastor at Philippian Community Church of GOD in Christ on 275 Newman Street, Pastor Allen believes people should take to heart the warning that Hebrews 13: 5 gives.

“The Bible says to ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,’ because GOD has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Allen, recalls a time when he was asked to assist a person enslaved in the love of money. “I remember when a high-salaried employee from General Motors regularly asked me for money so he could play the lottery. While he made twice the amount of money that I made, he would ask me for money so he could spend $100 on lottery tickets a day. He was unable to control his habit, his habit controlled him. He forgot that GOD and not the lottery, was the one who provides for his every need.”

According to a 2016 study by the National Endowment for Financial Education, seventy-percent of lottery winners end up going bankrupt within several years. Similarly, several years from now, gambling addition counselors fear addiction associated with sports wagering could go thru the roof. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a federal law that previously forced states to keep sports gambling bans on their books as “unconstitutional.”


“The potential expansion of government-sanctioned gambling is an unoriginal “quick fix” for financial income that does not look for the true needs of the community. Our society should legalize things that improve the quality of people’s lives, not destroy. ”

Reverend Denny Finnegan, Mansfield First Presbyterian

“I think the Bible verse ‘All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything’ (1 Cor. 6:12) undoubtedly can apply to gambling,” says Pastor Denny Finnegan of Mansfield First Evangelical Presbyterian Church on 399 South Trimble Road.

“The potential expansion of government-sanctioned gambling is an unoriginal “quick fix” for financial income that does not look for the true needs of the community. Our society should legalize things that improve the quality of people’s lives, not destroy. “

Ken Giesige (Submitted photo)

Speaking of lives, one person sports gambling almost destroyed was Ken Geisige. “In 1984, I was arrested in one of the largest gambling busts in north central Ohio . I was a ring leader of a $3.5 million dollar football gambling operation when several wives contacted the police. Their husbands had lost their entire paychecks on weekend betting and were stealing from other family members. Their addiction was destroying not only their life, but their families as well.”

“I went from being the bookmaker of a black market gambling enterprise, to reading the Bible and getting set free. GOD’s Word transformed my life.”

The tables have turned for the redeemed Ken Geisige. He later led efforts to prevent an off-track betting parlor from coming to Mansfield in 2006. Geisige now heads up a furniture ministry with Berean Baptist Church.

Another similar effort may be needed in the future to protect Ohioans from problem gambling addiction.

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Mathew Six, “You cannot serve both GOD and money.”

Related articles:

Ontario Mayor Proclaims Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Ohio student claims her school favors LGBT ideology over her Christian beliefs

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LEBANON –A high school student in Ohio is claiming she does not have equal protections after she was suspended for putting Post-it notes with Bible verses on student lockers in her school in response to LGBT pride flags and posters being displayed in school hallways.

The mother of Gabby Helsinger, a Lebanon City High School student, shared a video on Facebook March 8th claiming she is being punished for “targeting” the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club.

“On Thursday (March 7th) when I got to school, I saw that there were pride flags and posters around my school,” Gabby says in the video. “And I felt the need to write down some Bible verses so I could put them around my school. So I wrote them down and I put them around the lockers and on the walls.”

“I was coming back from lunch and I saw teachers taking the verses down, and the next day, I got called to the office and later received a letter saying I have an in-school suspension. The reason I was suspended was because of ‘abuse of others, disrespect, and rudeness’ because I put Bible verses up ‘targeting the GSA organization,’” she explained.

When initially questioned by Principal Scott Butler, Gabby answered by saying she “wanted to spread the word of God.’”

She also admitted to the Principal she did not have permission to post the Bible verses saying, “I did not know you had to have permission because people do it a lot — putting Post-It notes on people’s lockers, so I just did it.”

Faithwire reached out to Lebanon City School Superintendent Todd Yohey to clarify the school’s official policy regarding religious expression.

Yohey confirmed that the school’s Student Code of Conduct does not prohibit the sharing or posting of religious text or imagery on school grounds. He also confirmed that like the GSA, religious clubs are allowed to meet and advertise during school hours.

In a later statement, Yohey said Helsinger was suspended for defacing authorized materials, not for posting Scripture.

“The student was not disciplined for posting Scripture. The student was not disciplined for not asking permission,”  The student was disciplined for a clear violation of our code of conduct,” Yohey said. “And, we have a student code of conduct policy about targeting student groups.”

According to Gabby Helsinger, “I did not even know what the GSA organization was or meant.”

The Lebanon Board of Education policy handbook prohibits religious harassment when the conduct over an individual’s religion or creed has the effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance; and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment.

Franklin Graham gave his opinion on March 13th about the hostile environment he sees at Lebanon City Schools.


“Gabby is asking the question of why anything mentioning God or Jesus is immediately deemed offensive and removed when other things such as gay pride displays are not. Gabby is right—God is the one who can bring help and healing—and she wanted to share that truth with others. Let’s pray for Gabby as she lets her light shine.”

Franklin Graham, President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse

“Gabby is asking the question of why anything mentioning God or Jesus is immediately deemed offensive and removed when other things such as gay pride displays are not. Gabby is right—God is the one who can bring help and healing—and she wanted to share that truth with others. Let’s pray for Gabby as she lets her light shine.”

In a Facebook post, Gabby’s mother Tina Helsinger explained why she believes her daughter is being unfairly punished for sharing her beliefs.

“Lebanon [High School] celebrates evil and punishes righteousness!!” she wrote. “I appealed the punishment stating ‘Posting a Bible verse is not abuse of others, disrespect/insolence/rudeness and in no way was it targeting GSA,’” Helsinger noted. “But the school principal, Scott Butler, says ‘Gabby was targeting the GSA organization.’”

The Lebanon City School Board President did not respond to Frontlines Ohio’s request for an interview.

Jordanian leaders ‘hear it thru the grapevine’ from Ashland County pastor

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SAVANNAH — Pastor John Bouquet of Savannah Bethel Baptist and his wife Sherry recently came back from the Middle East after speaking to evangelical pastors and their wives at a conference in Amman, Jordan. The trip was their second to the desert nation.

Surrounded by Jordanian pastors and their spouses: Sherry Bouquet (in yellow) and Rev. John Bouquet to the right (in blue). Submitted photo.

Ephesians 3:16 was the theme of the gathering: “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.”

According to Bouquet, “The message was overwhelmingly received. We drove home the point that ministry is not about good preaching or leadership-it is about addressing the core issues of the heart, like: fear, rejection, self-pity, and unforgiveness, According to the pastors we met with, this message was an epiphany for them since they had never heard it.”

It can be said that pastors can be highly-driven and performance-based. Often times the only guy without a pastor is the pastor; and when under pressure, the ugly side can come up; not only in the United States, but also in the Middle-East.

The Nation of Jordan

“Pastors are to love their wives just as Christ loved the Church, ” Bouquet says.

He points out that many American based conferences, seminars and mega-church ministries have conducted conferences in the Middle East with emphasis on church planting, evangelism and church growth. But few have addressed the need for self-care for the pastor and his spouse.

“Church growth without spiritual self-maintenance can be very dangerous. It’s like a cardiologist conducting heart surgery on a patient but offering no rehabilitation options.”


“Sometimes we bury our heads in the sand in regards to spiritually attaching ourselves to Christ. He is the True Vine and we are the branches. If we are bearing no fruit, then we are not attached to the True Vine. The more attachment we have, the more fruit we will bear.”

Pastor John Bouquet, Savannah Bethel Baptist

“Sometimes we bury our heads in the sand in regards to spiritually attaching ourselves to Christ. He is the True Vine and we are the branches. If we are bearing no fruit, then we are not attached to the True Vine. The more attachment we have, the more fruit we will bear.”

Local ‘March of Prayer’ initiative comes into churches like a lion (VIDEO)

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MANSFIELD — Reverend Paul Lintern and Jordan Baker, Coordinator of the Point of Grace House of Prayer are encouraging local congregations for the month of March to host two-hour corporate prayer meetings open to the public.

Their efforts were jump started a day prior to the initiative when local law enforcement raids dismantled a massive illicit drug network between Detroit and Mansfield arresting forty-three.

Reverend Paul Lintern (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“We are praying that the Mansfield area would become Godsfield,” says Baker. “We are going to cry out to GOD for our leaders, the schools, our workplaces, and for victory over addiction. Our hope is that each church gathering reflects the Spirit of God and the personality and tradition of the hosting church,” says Baker.

According to Lintern, the “March of Prayer” originated during the Opioid Drug Crisis when the faith community was trying to determine a proper response.


“Discussions about a corporate community prayer initiative began two years ago with several clergy and drug counselors. In the past, we had several prayer initiatives involving small groups praying over the seven gates of our city, but we wanted something bigger. Presently we have forty congregations participating and our meetings are now going into April.”

Reverend Paul Lintern

“Discussions about a corporate community prayer initiative began two years ago with several clergy and drug counselors. In the past, we had several prayer initiatives involving small groups praying over the seven gates of our city, but we wanted something bigger. Presently we have forty congregations participating and our meetings are now going into April.”

This past Wednesday night, Reverend Denny Finnegan of the Mansfield First Evangelical Presbyterian Church was eager to host the event.

Reverend Denny Finnegan and Reverend Paul Lintern. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“I first heard about the “March of Prayer” at the Brown Bag Clergy group. As a full-time pastor for 36 years, my last two in Mansfield have been unique. To have a mayor welcome open prayer for city government and his administration is unusual; and the “March of Prayer” is strategic.”

On this night citizens representing fourteen local congregations participated at Finnegan’s church, located at 399 South Trimble Road.

Lintern recently wrote a song entitled “Mansfield into Godsfield” that has served as an anthem at each of the gatherings. Sung to the tune of “Stand up Stand up for Jesus,” one of the stanza includes the words: “Let Mansfield now be Godsfield, anoint us with your hand. Let Godsfield transform Mansfield, into Your Holy Land.”

In recognition of the efforts of the faith community in combating the opioid drug epidemic, the Ohio House passed a resolution the Spring of 2018,

For more information about which church the next “March of Prayer,” meeting will be at, you can go to Facebook at #MarchOfPrayer or at Godsfield. Reverend Lintern can also be reached at 419.571.9920.

View March of Prayer video entitled “We Are the Church” below produced by Reverend Mark Pierce.

Federal Court of appeals rules Ohio law can end taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood

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COLUMBUS – As the Ohio General Assembly considers the Heartbeat Bill, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a sweeping ruling today protecting Ohio tax dollars from flowing to abortion providers.

In an 11-to-6 decision, today’s ruling overturned a lower court ruling that had declared a 2016 law unconstitutional because it barred organizations from receiving public funds to perform abortions.

According to the opinion written by Judge Jeffrey Sutton, “Two Planned Parenthood affiliates challenged the [2016] statute, claiming that it imposes an unconstitutional condition on public funding in violation of the Due Process Clause. The affiliates are correct that the Ohio law imposes a condition on the continued receipt of state funds. But that condition does not violate the Constitution because the affiliates do not have a due process right to perform abortions.”

In other words, the state has the right to decide the parameters for who gets public funding and there is no such thing as a right to perform abortions.

Trump appointees Amul Thapar, John K. Bush, Joan Larsen and John B. Nalbandian joined the majority. Judge Helene White, appointed by George W. Bush, wrote the dissent,


“Elections have consequences. Because Ohioans elected a president and Senate who appoints judges that uphold the law, instead of playing politics with the law, millions of Ohio tax dollars will not go to abortion providers.”

Aaron Baer, Citizens for Community Values

“Elections have consequences,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values. “Because Ohioans elected a president and Senate who appoints judges that uphold the law, instead of playing politics with the law, millions of Ohio tax dollars will not go to abortion providers.”

Ohioans also elected Governor DeWine, who told The Dispatch, “We’ve always felt the state had the right to set policy on who is funded and who is not funded. I’m pleased with the decision.”

Ohio’s 2016 law, signed by then-Gov. John Kasich, was enacted in the wake of investigative videos showing Texas Planned Parenthood employees discussing the illegal sale of fetal tissue,

The ruling by the second highest court in the land will also impact Kentucky, Michigan,and Tennessee which are in the 6th Circuit’s jurisdiction.

Editor’s Note: Article was updated on March 18, 2019

Related article click here

Ohio Senate passes Pro-Life Heartbeat Bill

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COLUMBUS – The Ohio Senate just passed the Heartbeat Bill, SB 23, by a 19-13 vote. Sponsored by Senator Kristina Roegner, the Heartbeat Bill prohibits abortion once a heartbeat is detected in an unborn child.

“The Heartbeat Bill is what Ohio voters want,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values. “This bill was front and center in the 2018 elections, and the voters once again overwhelmingly elected officials that value all life – born and unborn.”

Aaron Baer, Citizens for Community Values President

“Thanks to the courageous leadership of Senator Kristina Roegner, Senate Health Committee Chairman Dave Burke, and Senate President Larry Obhof, the Ohio Senate was able to pass this life-saving bill with a strong majority. Ohio is on the brink of making history, and sending a strong message that Ohioans care deeply for our most vulnerable.”

Senators voting against the Heartbeat Bill included: Nickie Antonio (D), Matt Dolan (R), John Eklund (R), Teresa Fedor (D), Stephanie Kunze (R), Hearcel Craig (D), Tina Maharath (D), , Nathan Manning (R), Sean O’Brien (D), Vernon Sykes (D), Cecil Thomas (D), Sandra Williams (D), sand Kenny Yuko (D).. Louis Terhar (R) did not vote.

According to Roegner’s office,, the Senate also unanimously passed Senate Resolution 41, co- sponsored by Roegner, which urges Congress to pass legislation to protect innocent babies who are inadvertently born alive during an abortion procedure, known as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

Since 2011, the Ohio Senate has passed more significant legislation to defend unborn children and protect their right to life than at any time since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark abortion ruling in 1973.

Senate Bill 23 will now be sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 23 can be read here.

Ohio Congressmen and ministers agree: no room for anti-Semitism in Congress

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NORTH CENTRAL OHIO – Just three months in office, freshmen Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Min) is finding herself in hot water after suggesting that Israel’s supporters are pushing U.S. lawmakers to take a pledge of “allegiance to a foreign country.”

A petition is demanding Omar be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee after she tweeted that Israel’s allies in American politics were motivated by money rather than principle. This came off the heels of an interview defending her statement that “Israel has hypnotized the world, ” and a Yahoo! News interview where Omar said she “chuckles when people label Israel a democracy.”

Both congressional and faith leaders in North Central Ohio are not happy with the embattled Rep.’s anti-Semitic overtones. In a formal statement to Frontlines Ohio, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH) of the 7th District stated “Israel is one of our most important allies and a beacon of freedom in a troubled part of the world.  If these are the views she holds towards our ally and the Americans who support Israel, Rep. Omar has no business being on the Foreign Affairs Committee.”

Congressman Troy Balderson, (R-OH) of the 12th District echoed the same sentiments, “Bigotry of any kind has no place in our country. I condemn Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s anti-Semitic remarks, just as I condemned Congressman Steve King’s white nationalist views.”

Local clergy did not hold back their criticism of Rep. Omar’s comments. “Rep. Omar’s rhetoric could incite violence against Jewish people in the United States,” says Reverend Jerry O’Brien of Faith Harvest Fellowship in Wayne County.

Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States

Source: Anti-Defamation League


An Anti-Defamation League report states that there was a dramatic increase of attacks on Jewish people in 2017 compared to 2016. Several months ago the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent U.S. history occurred at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue. O’Brien along with several other clergy support the removal of Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Either she apologizes for her inflammatory comments or resign,” says Reverend J.C. Church of Victory in Truth Ministries in Crawford County. Simply put, there is no room for hate, racism, and divisive remarks such as these; they certainly do not reflect the heart of this nation.”

Reverend El Akuchie of Godsfield House of Prayer in Richland County agrees and notes the profound difference between Ilhan Omar’s Minneapolis-St. Paul congressional district and the congressional districts of North Central Ohio. “Clergy throughout North Central Ohio have shown staunch support for the Nation of Israel, sending an apology letter to the Israeli Prime Minister, lobbying the County Treasurer towards the investment of Israeli bonds, publicly supporting the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem, and by hosting the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset last fall.”

“When coming to America to seek asylum as a refugee from her native war-torn Somalia, one would think Ms. Omar would have a sense of gratitude,” says Akuchie.


“When coming to America to seek asylum as a refugee from her native war-torn Somalia, one would think Ms. Omar would have a sense of gratitude…”

Reverend El Akuchie, Godsfield House of Prayer

“Judeo-Christian values did not cause Rep. Omar to leave her country under duress, those values are what brought her here. I came from Nigeria to the United States and have seen firsthand the peace, prosperity, and stability that Jews and Christians living together in harmony has brought.”

National security analysts have expressed concern over Omar who in 2016 asked a judge for leniency for nine Minnesota men charged with planning to join ISIS. According to FBI statistics, Omar’s district is the “terrorist recruitment capital of the U.S.” The Twin-Cities have the largest Somali population in the nation.

Reverend John Bouquet of Bethel Baptist in Ashland County takes an unconventional approach on Rep. Omar. “I do not believe the main issue is Omar’s anti-Semitic remarks, I believe the bigger issue is bad immigration policy. A large influx of Somali refugees have moved into Omar”s congressional district, so naturally they voted for a an Arab candidate who matches their worldview. Truth be told, the case could be made that she is also anti-American and does not respect the U.S. Constitution.

“This is a perfect example of what happens if we do not change our immigration policies and teach the Constitution in our public school classrooms: there are going to be more cities like Minneapolis sprawling across this country if our elected leaders do not secure our sovereign borders.

Guest Column: Responsibility to GOD and country

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We are living in some strange times. The wickedness of mankind is forever on display and is gaining ground in the culture war taking place in this country. The Bible tells us we are in a battle for righteousness, godliness and the souls of men. We are standing against the fiery darts of Satan, the snares hidden in our pathway and the wiles of the wicked one. It is likened to a battle, a wrestling match, to determine who will be victorious and who will be defeated.

Pastor Randy Raynes (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Ephesians 6:10-13 says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

As Christians we are to put on the armor of God so as to be able to stand against the attacks of Satan. The Bible likens it to a time of wrestling, a time when one seeks to put his knee on the back of the neck of the other and be declared victorious. Our fight against Satan is to be a progressive battle and not a regressive surrender.

Jesus declared that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His church. It is not a matter of if we fight, but a matter of we will fight. It is not a matter of whether or not to stand and be counted for the war, but a matter of standing and fighting and enduring all the way to victory.

One of the difficulties facing those in the church is in determining just what part our world and its politics are to play in the lives of God’s people, the church of God and the message preached. Better, however, is to ask what part the church is to play in the world and its politics.

We have those who declare separation of church and state, and then those whose sole message seems to be political in nature on either end of the spectrum. We have those who believe that Christians have no business in politics and yet others who fight every political cause that comes along.

Pastor Raynes leading recent clergy press conference declaring 2019 as “Year of the Bible.” (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

In both cases, Bible truth is used and verses supporting those truths are utilized. So, it is my intent to present some basic principles I have used to determine my own level of involvement.

The first passage of Scripture is Ephesians 5:18-6:9. In this passage we are admonished to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Spirit is speaking about the Spirit of God filling all areas of our life: us surrendering all areas of our life to Him and allowing Him to have control of them. Being filled affects us inwardly, upwardly and outwardly.

Then we have presented three relationships which are affected by the Spirit of God: the husband/wife relationship, the parent/child relationship, and the employer/employee relationship. These are examples of how being filled affects our relationships. The truth is you cannot be right in your earthly relationships without being right with God. Nor can you be right with God without being right in these earthly relationships.

The premise is this: your walk with God, your relationship with God requires that you be the best husband/wife, the best parent/child, the best employer/employee you can be. It requires that you fulfill all the responsibilities associated with them. To be less or do less is to violate the commands and purposes of God.

We are to be Christian first, then whatever second. I am to be a Christian husband, Christian father and Christian employee. I am also a Christian American citizen. My Christianity demands that I fulfill my responsibilities and obligations in all areas of my life.

The second passage contains a command of Jesus. Matthew 22:16-21 says, “And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

When approached about the subject of tribute to Caesar, Jesus gave His classic instructions, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. What He instructed was for them to render to God His things. But the same command that instructs them to render to God also instructs them to render to Caesar.

As a Christian I am to be the best citizen I can possibly be. As a Christian it is my responsibility to render to our country what is owed it as a Christian citizen of this country. It is God’s will that I be a law-bidding, patriotic, citizen and to see to it that things are done in this country in honor of God. I owe it to both God and my country.

The third concept found in Scripture is Romans 13:1-6: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”


“The political systems are ordained of God. They are to be treated as such by the Christians, as is expected of them by God. Why would we think it would be God’s will for God’s people to have nothing to do with God’s institution? If it is ordained of God, then God desires His people to be involved, for only then does it have any chance of doing right.”

Reverend Randy Raynes, Mansfield Fellowship Baptist

The political systems are ordained of God. They are to be treated as such by the Christians, as is expected of them by God. Why would we think it would be God’s will for God’s people to have nothing to do with God’s institution? If it is ordained of God, then God desires His people to be involved, for only then does it have any chance of doing right.

I go through these principles to come to this point. I owe it to God and to my country to be involved in this God ordained business. It is true that wicked people are in high places, but only because we have relinquished those places to the wicked. In order for me to be right with God, I must do my part as a patriotic American and stand and demand righteousness. I must vote it, promote it and encourage it. I must get involved in it as much as I can in relation to my walk with God. Therefore, I will vote, I will get involved in the culture war as a Christian in obedience to God. Politics must not be allowed to run the church neither the church remain silent, or uninvolved, in the government of our country. We are God’s witnesses and are commanded to do our part as Christian Americans.

Therefore, I come to this conclusion. As a Christian I will get involved in all I can, while remaining true to God and His Word. I will be involved so as to represent our Lord in whatever place God puts me. I will vote as a Christian, work as a Christian, get involved as a Christian, for I am a Christian, Patriotic American.

Dr. Randy Raynes is senior pastor at Mansfield Fellowship Baptist and has authored several books including: “Pastoring the Small Church,” and “The Man of God’s Choosing.”

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