This week, First Liberty secured an important victory for our client, Pastor Paul Malcolmson, who shepherds Light of the World Gospel Ministries, a small, multi-ethnic church in the Village of Walthill, Nebraska.

Our attorneys reached a favorable settlement that will allow the church to build a multi-use facility on Main Street for worship, ministry and commercial businesses. We represented the church in a lawsuit against the Village for denials of building and use permits. As part of the settlement, the Village has also agreed to financially compensate the church.

This is a big win for Light of the World, which currently meets in a converted funeral home and lacks space to accommodate its growing congregation. Moving forward, Pastor Paul will have the resources and opportunity to minister to his flock more effectively—including children, teenagers and older members.

Pastor Paul moved from Northern Ireland over a decade ago to start a church and serve this struggling village. Here’s how he described the feeling after winning his case:

“We are grateful that we can now bring the light and love of Jesus to our community and help revitalize our town...We just want to live in peace, worship, and serve our neighbors.”

Light of the World’s victory will also impact the surrounding community. With the freedom to build new facilities, the church can also help revitalize and transform dilapidated and undeveloped property into a new space to serve all village residents.

Houses of worship such as Light of the World do essential work to care for the most vulnerable among us. They not only nurture communities spiritually, but also meet their physical needs.

This is truly a win that we celebrate together, especially because it was made possible by your support. Thank you for giving to First Liberty. You are the Force Multiplier who enables us to fight—and win—for churches and ministries whose divinely-inspired mission is to serve the neediest among us.