A governmental war against a ministry in Bryan, Ohio, that serves needy in the community by providing housing resources is coming to an end.
It’s because of the ruling from Judge James D. Bates of the Court of Common Pleas in Williams County who issued a final order dismissing with prejudice a legal action brought by city officials against Dad’s Place.
“We praise God for this decision and the work it allows this church to continue in Bryan, Ohio,” said Chris Avell, pastor of Dad’s Place Church. “I consider it no coincidence that this decision comes during Holy Week as our church joins Christians worldwide to celebrate Christ’s victory over death.”
Jeremy Dys of First Liberty Institute explained, “This decision should put an end once and for all to the city’s relentless attacks on Dad’s Place and Pastor Chris. All Pastor Chris ever wanted to do was keep the doors of his church open to those in desperate need of temporary shelter. It’s past time for the city to end its mean-spirited, three-year campaign of harassment of this church.”
The legal team explained Dad’s Place runs 24 hours a day to serve those with needs.
“For almost three years, the City of Bryan, Ohio has been attempting to shut down the church’s ministry through multiple criminal and civil proceeding, including 18 criminal zoning charges, middle-of-the-night fire inspections, and both criminal and civil fire code prosecutions. And while city officials demand the church install an expensive fire suppression system, the city does not require any of its motels, most of its apartment complexes, and even a senior living facility to install fire suppression systems in their buildings,” First Liberty Institute explained.
The ruling is a final order on the civil proceedings instituted against Dad’s Place by Fire Chief Douglas Pool on behalf of the city of Bryan. An appeal of Pastor Avell’s criminal conviction from Bryan Municipal Court remains pending before the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals.
The result for now is that Dad’s Place will continue to operate its temporary shelter ministry free from interference by the city.
The court said, “The court from the initial time it was appointed to the case, felt that it would have to find for the fire chief. Having applied strict scrutiny … the court concedes that the fire chief’s enforcement of the fire code fails because it lacks a compelling interest and isn’t the least restrictive means of enforcing fire safety.”
The court ruling pointed out, “The city has given waivers to other businesses like hotels, but has refused to give the church a similar accommodation. This is fatal under strict scrutiny. Therefore, a judgment in favor of Dad’s Place must be entered.”
