Richland Community Prayer Network

2019 Year of the Bible

PROCLAMATION

Declaring 2019 as the “Year of the Bible”

1. Whereas, the Bible has played an integral part in American history…..

  • With the war with Britain cutting off the supply of Bibles to the United States, Congress instructed its Committee of Commerce on September 11, 1777, to import 20,000 Bibles into the country from “Scotland, Holland, or elsewhere.”(Posted on December 18, 2018,   https://wallbuilders.com/aitken-bible-congress )
  • A group of contemporary political scientists embarked on an ambitious ten-year project during the 1970’s to analyze 15,000 political writings from the Founding Era to determine the origin of the ideas behind the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Isolating 3,154 quotations from the writings, the study listed the Bible as the original source and primary influence, accounting for 34 % of the direct quotations.  (Donald S. Lutz “The Origins of American Constitutionalism” (Baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press,) 1988 David Barton “Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, & Religion,” pp.219-220, Wallbuilders Press 2008)

 

ii. Whereas, national leaders have historically promoted the study of the Bible…..

  • The 97th Congress passed Senate Joint Resolution 165 on October 4, 1982,  authorizing then-President Ronald Reagan to declare 1983 as “The Year of the Bible.” The resolution begins by saying, “Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people,” and goes on to declare “that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people.”  Moreover, on February 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5018 declaring 1983 the Year of the Bible saying, “I encourage all citizens, each in his or her own way, to reexamine and rediscover its priceless and timeless message.”  (Posted on December 18, 2018, https://www.wnd.com/2018/10/theres-a-reason-soldiers-receive-bibles/ )
  • President Franklin Roosevelt agreed on the week of December 7, 1941 to host celebratory meetings at the White House to commemorate “National Bible Week.” Due to the attack at Pearl Harbor, the Bible was read on national radio.  (Posted on December 18, 2018, https://nationalbible.org/about/history/?from=3 )

 

III. Whereas, the accuracy of the Bible has been verified by archaeological evidence and validated thru fulfilled prophecy…..

  • The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran in 1949 had significant effects in corroborating evidence for the Scriptures. The ancient texts, found hidden in pots in clifftop caves by a monastic religious community, confirm the reliability of the Old Testament text. These texts, which were copied and studied by the Essenes, include one complete Old Testament book (Isaiah) and thousands of fragments, representing every Old Testament book except Esther.  (Posted on December 18, 2018, http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/deadseascrolls.shtml )  
  • The Old Testament of the Bible, completed 450 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, contains over 300 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled through His life, death and resurrection. The odds of 1 person fulfilling just 8 prophecies are a staggering 1 chance in 10 to the 17th power.  If 1017 silver dollars were laid on the face of Texas, the coins would cover all of Texas two-feet deep. If one of those silver dollars was marked and the whole mass of coins covering Texas stirred thoroughly, one man fulfilling eight prophecies would be the same probability as one blindfolded man picking the marked silver dollar from the mass of coins covering Texas.  This means that the fulfillment of these eight prophecies alone illustrates the supernatural qualities of the Bible.  (Posted on December 18, 2018, http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/Christ_of_Prophecy.html#c9)

 

IV. Whereas, science is just now confirming truths in nature that the Bible has already disclosed thousands of years prior….

  • According to a 2018 study surveying the genetic ‘bar codes’ of five million animals from more than 100,000 animal species , all humans may be descended from just TWO people and a catastrophic event may have wiped out ALL species.  The scientists heading the study: Mark Stoeckle and David Thaler, concluded that ninety percent of all animal species alive today come from parents that all began giving birth at roughly the same time. ‘This conclusion is very surprising,’ Thaler admitted, ‘and I fought against it as hard as I could.’  In short, this study confirms the Genesis account of Adam and Eve, of animals being created the same week as humans, and the existence of a world-wide flood.  (Posted on December 18, 2018, https://www.afa.net/the-stand/faith/2018/11/adam-and-eve-genetic-science-confirms-bibleagain/?fbclid=IwAR3LMSPjVmFiIrHpTl4fAD0FSp7IJvVbJf9qeoc_d8IdzgUPT )
  • The Bible, written over 2,000 years ago is devoid of scientific error. A few examples of scientific truths written in the Scriptures long before they were “discovered” by scientists: the shape of the earth is mentioned in Isaiah 40:22. Gravity can be found in Job 26:7. Ecclesiastes 1:6 mentions atmospheric circulation. A reference to ocean currents can be found in Psalm 8:8, and the hydraulic cycle is described in Ecclesiastes 1:7 and Isaiah 55:10. The second law of thermodynamics is outlined in Psalm 102:25-27 and Romans 8:21.  (Posted on December 18, 2018, https://thedailyhatch.org/2013/08/26/peter-stoner-and-biblical-prophecy/ )

Therefore, as leading clergymen of 150 congregations across North Central Ohio, we formally reaffirm the Bible as being living, active and GOD-breathed; and demonstrating thru history to be the anvil that has worn many hammers out. Consequently, since Bible illiteracy is plaguing our politically-correct society, since the Bible is being censored by governments and cultural institutions, and since the authority of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures of the Bible are being subverted by some religious circles, we do proclaim 2019 as the “Year of the Bible.”  Furthermore, we encourage all Ohioans to examine the Bible and to rediscover its priceless and timeless message.  In conclusion, we maintain that the following words still resonate in our day:

The grass may wither and the flowers may fall, but the Word of our GOD endures forever.

The following leading clergymen representing (150) congregations from North Central Ohio have formally endorsed this proclamation declaring 2019 as the “Year of the Bible” given on January 15, 2019 at the BibleWalk Museum:

 Rev. Anthony Cooper, Shelby Life Church             

Rev. Robert OBrien, Apostolic Faith Assembly

Rev. Jerry OBrien, Faith Harvest Fellowship                      

Rev. Les Farley, My Father’s House

Rev. Russell Stanford, All GOD’s Believers             

Rev. Randy Raynes, Mansfield Fellowship Baptist

Rev.  Keith Carlisle, Ontario First Wesleyan                       

Rev. William Henderson, Bellville First Baptist

Rev.  Ron Smalls, Woodville Grace Brethren         

Rev. Larry Hulver, New Liberty Baptist

Rev.  Les Vnasdale, Cornerstone Grace Brethren  

Rev.  Walter Keib, Shelby First Baptist

Rev.  James Streib, Lexington Fusion Branch         

Rev.  Chris Thomas, Diamond Hills Baptist

Rev.  Chad Hayes, Caeserea Baptist                        

Rev.  John Bouquet, Savannah Bethel Baptist

Rev.  James Spencer, People’s Baptist                    

Rev.  Dallas Waggle, Lucas Foursquare Gospel

Rev.  Aaron Rose, Lexington Fusion Church                      

Rev.  Mike Stine, Clear Fork Alliance

Rev. Doug Tackett, Taylortown Community                     

Rev.  Paul Lintern, Oakland Lutheran

Rev.  Paul Lintern, Southside Christian                  

Rev.  Ron Puff, Pleasant Valley Baptist

Rev.  Patrick Bailey, North Bend Brethren            

Rabbi William Hallbrook, Sar Shalom Center

Rev.  Jerry Laudermilk, Ontario Abundant Life     

Rev. Steve Schag, Shelby Calvary Baptist

Rev.  Rick Lewis, Shelby Church of GOD                 

Rev.  Eric Byrom, Mansfield Grace Fellowship

Rev.  Mark Dettmer, Pleasant Grove Community 

Rev.  Glenn Phillips, Hillside First Church of GOD

Rev.  William Crank, Cornerstone Freewill Baptist           

Rev.  David Bates, Unity Freewill Baptist

Rev.  Bruce Philippi, Journey Life Center               

Rev.  Don Wilson, Mansfield Faith Assembly

Rev.  Phil Green, Real Life Community                   

Rev.  Ferlie Yates, Hanna Road Church of GOD

Rev.  Ben Gregg, Plymouth Church of GOD            

Rev.  Hank Webb, Belmont Community Church

Rev.  Mark Bailey, Mansfield Freewill Baptist        

Rev.  DeWayne Smith, Main Street United Methodist

Rev.  J.C. Church, Bucyrus Victory in Truth           

Rev.  Bill Howell, Shiloh Messiah House of Prayer

Rev.  Floyd Allen, Philippian Community Church 

Rev.  Mark Meyer, Lexington Grace Point Sanctuary

Rev.  Daniel Baer,Mansfield Gospel Assembly       

Rev.  Matt Pond, Shelby First Freewill Baptist

Rev.  Bill Lewis, Butler River of Life                         

Rev.  Brian Phillips, New Beginnings Freewill Baptist

Rev.  Art Kennard, Maranatha Christian Center   

Rev.  Darrin Thurber, Mansfield Seventh Day Adventist

Rev.  James Hill, Paradise View Freewill Baptist    

Rev.  David Guild, Mansfield Foursquare Gospel

Rev.  Bruce Copley, Faith Chapel                            

Rev.  Walt Jordan, Oaisis of Love Church

Rev.  Mike Rose, Hope on the Hill Chapel              

Rev.  James Marshall, Ganges Community Church

Rev.  Larry Hill, Bethel Freewill Baptist                  

Rev.  Steve Brenneman, Awakening Christian Center

Rev.  Steve Burkhalter, Potter’s House Mansfield                                 

Rev.  George Lewis, Shelby Temple of GOD

Rev.  Ted Howard, Apostolic Holiness                    

Rev.  Joe Maggelet, Ashland Fellowship Christian Athletes

Rev.  Aaron Williams, Maddox Memorial COGIC   

Rev.  Mark Abel, Southview Grace Brethren

Rev.  Steve Baldridge, Rome Community Church 

Rev.  Howdie Burnette, Perrysville Baptist

Rev.  Jody Odom, Ambassadors for Christ             

Rev.  Dink Porter, First Church of the Open Bible

Rev.  Paul Mathewson, Maranatha Bible Baptist  

Rev.  Mike Wilson, Lincoln Heights Baptist

Rev.  George Swain, Homerville Grace Brethren   

Rev.  David Green, Mansfield Sovereign Baptist

Rev.  John Campos, Bowman St. Church of GOD  

Rev.  Kevin Evans, Ganges Liberty Baptist

Rev.  Joe Smith, Westside Baptist                           

Rev.  David Ferrell, Mansfield Holiness Chapel

Rev.  Clarence Sanderfer, New Life Baptist            

Rev.  Rich Hurles, Plymouth Lifepoint Community

Rev.  John Temple, Trinity Community Church     

Rev. Troy Wooten, Christian Life Center

Rev.  Ron Kosa, Living Word Church                      

Rev.  Caesar Coney, Mansfield Christ Temple

Rev.  Mark Wireman, Shiloh Pentecostal              

Rev.  Bryan Schatzinger, Calvary Chapel

Rabbi Robert Bauer, Beit El Elyon                          

Rev. David Parsons, Zion’s Refuge Baptist

Rev. Clinton Hearns, Mt. Hermon Missionary       

Rev. Richard Diamond, Diamond Hill Cathedral

Rev. Ronnie Conn, Elm St. Freewill Baptist            

Rev. Henry Bradley, New Community Temple COGIC

Rev. Keith Tyson, Ashland Brethren in Christ        

Rev. Todd Grover, Maranatha Baptist

Rev. Merle Stewart, Bethesda Fellowship              

Rev. Jim Randas, Lexington Presbyterian

Rev. Steve Kistler, New Life Church of Christ        

Rev. Mark Cobb, Mansfield Providence Baptist

Rev. Robert Kurtz, Mansfield Baptist Temple        

Rev. Jason Price, Victory Baptist

Rev. Thomas Gruver, Woodlawn United Methodist     

Rev. Sylvester Ginn, Hesed Agape Fellowship

Rev. Tim Davis, Newville Baptist                             

Rev. Clyde Kerby, Ministries of Hope & Healing

Rev. Rob Ratcliff, North Woodbury Freewill         

Rev. T.J. Waters, Lexington Church of Christ

Rev. Steve Dennis, St Paul Evangelical Lutheran  

Rev. Dean Jackson, McElroy Rd. Church of Christ

Rev.  Mike Corwin, Bucyrus United Methodist     

Bishop Andy Keim, Amish Perry District 1

Bishop Eli Miller, Amish Perry District 2                 

Bishop Owen Detweiler, Amish Batemantown District

Rev. Paul Tracy Sr., Ashland Lighthouse Pentecostal    

Rev. Denny Finnegan, First Evangelical Presbyterian

Rev. Louis Blevins, Latter Rain COGIC                     

Rev. Joe Beran, Batemantown United Methodist

Rev. Joe Beran, Berlin United Methodist               

Rev. John Hall, Ashland Grace Church

Rev. David Mahon, Galion Apostolic Assembly     

Rev. John Grimm, Shiloh United Methodist

Rev. John Grimm, Plymouth United Methodist      

Revs. Justin and Christy Robison, First Church of the Nazarene 

Rev. Rich Rader, Mayflower Congregational         

Elder Mark Hamilton, Providence Church Mifflin

Rev. Randy Clour, Impact Worship Center            

Rev. Rodney Noblit, Galion Heritage Baptist

Rev. Gary Grant, Crestline Church of GOD Prophecy      

Rev. Aaron Boggs, Fredericktown Freewill Baptist

Rev. Dan Zediker, Mission Point Mansfield           

Rev. Bill Fox, Crestline Faith Community Church

Rev. Joe Stafford, Galion Wesley Chapel               

Rev. Rick Maddox, Galion Alliance Church

Rev. Rick Wiseman, Promised Land Fellowship     

Rev. Les Champer, Shelby Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Steven Hodges, Galion Gospel Baptist           

Rev. Darryle Moody, Cardington Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Ben Roby, Ashland Heritage Baptist              

Rev. Tommy Theisen, Cross Connect Church

Rev. Paul Larsen, Mansfield First English Lutheran       

Rev. Randy Miller, Bethel Ashland

Rev. Jack Sharp, Savannah Presbyterian               

Rev. John Dodds, Ridgeway Church of GOD

Rev. Glenn Hamilton, Lexington Church of the Cross     

Rev. William Jordan, Faith Temple Church of GOD in Christ

Rev. Garland Harvey, Shelby First United Methodist     

Rev. Garland Harvey, Tiro United Methodist

Rev. Matthew Parsons, The Way Church               

Elder Alan Dick, Shelby First Church of GOD

Rev. Matthew Smith, Love Action Church             

Rev. Stephan Bloomfield, Mt. Gilead First Baptist