***************************************************
“Love your neighbor”
and “Obey God rather than men”
(A Matthew 22:39 and Acts 5:29 🧵 ) pic.twitter.com/x5gketaAid— AnarchoChristian (@AnarchoXP) January 24, 2024
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/1/23/24040552/ohio-pastor-charged-housing-homeless-in-church
EXCERPTS:
As communities across the country struggle with ice, snow and below-zero temperatures, a pastor in Ohio is defending his efforts to keep his neighbors warm.
The Rev. Chris Avell, who leads a church called Dad’s Place in Bryan, Ohio, is already facing 18 zoning charges related to allowing members of the homeless community to sleep in his church building, and more charges could be on the way.
“While conducting a follow-up inspection ... the fire chief discovered a potentially dangerous gas leak as well as violations that had not been corrected,” according to WTVG, a news station based in Toledo.
The original charges stemmed from the Rev. Avell’s decision to keep his church open 24/7 last year and provide space for people who couldn’t get a spot at a nearby homeless shelter.
This ministry violated the city’s zoning code, which prohibits buildings downtown from using first-floor spaces for residential purposes.