by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
Good news! Pastor Chris Avell won’t have to worry about going to jail—at least not yet. A state appellate court put a hold on the criminal sentence levied against the shepherd of Dad’s Place church in Bryan, Ohio.
Following the criminal trial of Pastor Chris earlier this year, a municipal court judge imposed a $200 fine and 60-day suspended jail sentence for keeping the church doors open 24-hours a day to serve people in need. First Liberty immediately appealed that decision.
“This is the second time that an Ohio appellate court has recognized that Dad’s Place’s case presents a strong likelihood to succeed on appeal,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel at First Liberty. “We are grateful to the court for granting this stay and will continue to fight until city officials in Bryan abandon their harassment of Dad’s Place and Pastor Chris.”
“We especially appreciate the outspoken leadership of Attorney General David Yost whose multiple briefs in support of Pastor Avell has helped make this possible,” Dys added. General Yost has submitted three briefs in support of Dad’s Place.
“This is a battle over the First Amendment and freedom of religion,” AG Yost explained. “Pastor Chris keeps his church open to anybody, all the time, because he believes the words of Jesus as recorded in the 25th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel: ‘What you do for the least of these, you do it for me.’”
The state appellate court also previously issued a favorable decision that will allow the church to continue its temporary shelter ministry while the case works its way through the courts. That order reversed a ruling from a state trial court judge that would have forced Dad’s Place to kick everyone out immediately, at a time when the temperature was well below freezing. With the help of Ohio’s attorney general, First Liberty secured a stay preventing the Bryan judge’s order from being enforced.
Getting a court to halt the criminal sentence is a huge sigh of relief for the pastor and the most vulnerable in the community who rely on Dad’s Place. It means Pastor Chris avoids jail, and the church can keep its doors open 24/7 to serve anyone who needs help—at least for the time being.
These recent legal actions are tremendously positive. But these wins are only temporary. It doesn’t change the fact that Pastor Chris was convicted and is legally considered a criminal—which means he could still face jail time depending on the outcome of his appeal.
The fight for Dad’s Place is far from over. City officials have made it clear that they’re going to keep fighting until Pastor Chris is in jail and the church’s outreach is completely shut down.
That’s not going to happen on First Liberty’s watch.
“No pastor in America, including Pastor Chris Avell, should be pronounced guilty for providing temporary shelter to those in desperate need,” said First Liberty Senior Counsel Ryan Gardner. “Only government officials could say with a straight face that people are safer in the sub-zero temperatures on the street than inside the warmth of a church.”
First Liberty is going to keep fighting back until the City of Bryan stops its unlawful discrimination. We have a lot of work ahead and need your continued support.
Can Pastor Chris and the people of Dad’s Place count on you? Your gift today can help our legal team secure a victory that will protect this church from the city’s constant attacks. Please give to First Liberty today.
 |
|
|
