The church purchased several old buildings directly across the street from its current meeting place, hoping to tear down the rapidly deteriorating structures and build a church and related facilities to serve the community. But, even though the Village initially approved the church’s building permit, the Village later revoked the permit without a valid reason. The Village also denied without valid reason multiple permits from the church to demolish and clean up dangerous structures on the church’s property, and other permits the church sought to use its property to worship and minister.
Pastor Malcomson continued, “What we’re trying to do is breathe life into this community both spiritually and economically. Our heart is not to fight the politicians; our heart is to work with the politicians and with them to see this community turned around.”
First Liberty Institute and its network attorneys at Saul Ewing filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court arguing that the actions of village officials violate state and federal laws, including the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Read the complaint here.
In February 2020, the United States Department of Justice also filed a federal lawsuit against the village.
Then, in early 2022, First Liberty reached a favorable settlement with the Village. The settlement allows the church to build a multi-use facility on Main Street for worship, ministry and commercial businesses, and comes after the church filed a federal lawsuit against the Village for denials of building and use permits.
“Light of the World Gospel Ministries is thrilled that it can now minister more effectively to the area and help revitalize the community,” said Roger Byron, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Light of the World will transform dilapidated and undeveloped property into a new space to serve all village residents. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice for its help in this matter, and we are grateful to Village officials for reaching this settlement.”
“We are grateful that we can now bring the light and love of Jesus to our community and help revitalize our town,” said Paul Malcomson, Light of the World’s pastor. “We just want to live in peace, worship, and serve our neighbors.”
News Release
For Immediate Release: 2.17.22
Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Church Reaches Settlement with Nebraska Village to Build New Facility on Main Street
Agreement paves way to upgrade dilapidated and undeveloped property owned by local congregation
Walthill, NE—First Liberty Institute today announced it has reached a favorable settlement with the Village of Walthill, Nebraska on behalf of Light of the World Gospel Ministries, a small, multi-ethnic church in the village. The settlement allows the church to build a multi-use facility on Main Street for worship, ministry and commercial businesses, and comes after the church filed a federal lawsuit against the Village for denials of building and use permits.
“Light of the World Gospel Ministries is thrilled that it can now minister more effectively to the area and help revitalize the community,” said Roger Byron, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Light of the World will transform dilapidated and undeveloped property into a new space to serve all village residents. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice for its help in this matter, and we are grateful to Village officials for reaching this settlement.”
“We are grateful that we can now bring the light and love of Jesus to our community and help revitalize our town,” said Paul Malcomson, Light of the World’s pastor. “We just want to live in peace, worship, and serve our neighbors.”
Light of the World is a vibrant, multi-ethnic congregation of more than 100 people, with many young adults, in a town of less than 800. The church meets in a converted funeral home on Main Street. Notwithstanding, it lacks space to minister effectively to the needs of this growing congregation, including children, teenagers and its older congregants.
The church purchased several old buildings directly across the street from its current meeting place, hoping to tear down the deteriorating structures and build a church and related facilities to serve the community. The church filed a lawsuit in 2018 after the Village revoked or denied numerous permits. In 2020, the U.S Department of Justice filed a separate lawsuit against the Village.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Lacey McNiel at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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