A federal district court judge ruled against our client, Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place Church in Bryan, Ohio.

The judge issued a bad decision on Friday denying our request for a preliminary injunction to protect the religious activities of the church, which include opening its doors 24/7 to serve anyone who needs help. This is an alarming ruling that could allow the city to continue harassing Pastor Chris and his church. In fact, this ruling threatens all churches, including your faith-based organization or house of worship.

To date, Mayor Schlade and officials have criminally charged Pastor Chris, threatened to criminally charge the church’s landlord, used law enforcement officials to needlessly harass and humiliate Dad’s Place and its congregants, and is threatening to take additional actions to permanently shut down the church.

What city officials are doing to this pastor and church is wrong and illegal. We’re not going to stand idly by in the face of such blatant hostility toward a good Samaritan.

This ruling is only a setback. The legal battle is far from over. That’s why we’re appealing the case to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on an emergency posture.

“It’s unfortunate that we must now ask the U.S Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to weigh in and put an end to Mayor Schlade’s and the city’s harassment of Dad’s Place,” Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys said. “We must appeal as soon as possible for the sake of those needing the shelter Dad’s Place provides.”

Dad’s Place contributes to the wonderful community of Bryan by helping those who can’t find help elsewhere. It’s appalling that the city continues to harass Pastor Chris for simply doing what the church is supposed to do.

Houses of worship in America should not be punished for serving the most vulnerable. Pastor Chris isn’t breaking any laws. He has every right under the law to keep his church open to care for those who walk through its doors.

But instead of supporting this vital ministry, the city prefers to double down on unlawful harassment.

Thanks to your support, we’ve successfully defended Pastor Chris and Dad’s Place in the past. And with your help, we will continue to fight for him.

Right now, you can support us in this fight:

• By praying for victory and for peace for Pastor Chris. Being criminally charged for ministering to the most vulnerable is exceedingly stressful.
• By praying for the Dad’s Place congregation and those this critical ministry supports.
• And by praying for other churches in the community as this hostility won’t stop at Dad’s Place.

Now it’s time to stand and fight at the next level in court to make sure Dad’s Place’s ministry can continue.

Can Pastor Chris and this church count on you?