Chris Avell, the pastor of Dad's Place in Bryan, Ohio, was arraigned in court on January 11 for charges related to building code violations after he kept his church open to provide warmth and shelter for unhoused individuals. He pleaded not guilty to the alleged violations. Court documents say that because the building is zoned as Central Business, people aren’t allowed to eat, wash clothes, or sleep there. In a December statement, the chief of the Bryan Police Department told 13 Action News that 'a reasonable amount of time was given for both the tenant and property owner to fix the issues.' In an interview with local outlet the Village Reporter, Avell stressed that the building isn't a 'shelter, it's a church,' adding that 'we have put in things people can use, like a shower and a small ability to do laundry. Some who found this to be a home for them have stuck around.' Avell reportedly said he will continue to keep his church doors open through the winter. 'This is what the word of God teaches ... This is how I worship my God,' he told WTOL 11. He's expected back in court within 30 days of his arraignment date.
@nowthisnews @Galestorm250 I'm an atheist, but I *do not* find this man a hypocrite! If only all religious people were actually decent, like him.
@nowthisnews @MindyBe More power to him, if a place of worship is not open to those who need help and protection then what’s the purpose of it ?
@nowthisnews It’s honestly a shared moral responsibility to intervene to save lives if we have that ability. He is doing the right thing.
@nowthisnews @EduarTao Odd way to fight "crime". Even odder way to treat religiously inspired humanity.
@nowthisnews WTF? Many churches open their doors to unhoused people during winters around here. Most are in the business district.
@nowthisnews You'd think the police could turn a blind eye.
@nowthisnews That use to be part of what it meant to be a #Christian; I don't believe there are any Christians, if there ever were. #Republicans hypocrisy, unconvinced me of Christianity.
@nowthisnews Bryan is near where I grew up. It is not a big town, which says some thing about the state of rural poverty. It is also in a deeply Republican area dry your own conclusions.
@nowthisnews Amendment 1 Freedom of religion Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.