John Freshwater Supporters Rallied Sunday

(Mount Vernon, Ohio) Hundreds of Mount Vernon’s citizens showed up at the Public Square on a chilly, windy, and sunny Sunday afternoon for a prayer rally to support science teacher John Freshwater. The Mount Vernon Square is a large circular park in the heart of the town. Much of the square was filled with supporters, both from Mount Vernon and from other Ohio locations. The rally included singing, speaking and prayer.
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Mr. Freshwater has been a teacher for 21 years in the Mount Vernon City School District. Last year he received an award as Teacher of the Year, but he has been targeted for his Christian faith by the Mt. Vernon City School Board, which is now being advised by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Mr. Freshwater was informed by the school board that he must remove from his desk his personal Bible that he has had sitting there for 21 years. Mr. Freshwater did comply with a number of other demands by the school board, but said that his own personal Bible is off-limits, and that the school board has no right dictating to him or any other teacher this kind of demand. Freshwater is currently being investigated and monitored while an assessment is being made of his future in the Mount Vernon school system.

Bob Burney, a Columbus area minister and WFRD radio talk show host served as the master of ceremonies. Speakers included Reverend Dan Whisner of the Church at Chapel Hill and Ohio Legislative Watch, Reverend Donald Matolyak, Pastor of Trinity Worship Center (John Freshwater’s church), Ohio State Congressman Thom Collier spoke, and John Freshwater, present and on “stage – a flat bed truck” with his wife and three children. Closing the meeting was Chris Long, Executive Director of the Ohio Christian Alliance, based in Akron, Ohio.

Steve Townsend, a local citizen and father, whose three children have been or are being taught by John Freshwater, spoke for a few minutes. His youngest daughter is in his class this year and has been inspired by how he encourages kids to be their best. His son is now a teacher in middle school. His son has testified as to Mr. Freshwater’s commitment to the student and a consistent encouragement to his fellow peers. He ended by saying, “I leave you with this, our students are safe with John Freshwater.”

Bob Burney related that despite this adversity, God is using it for His glory. He said that the fact that nearly 2/3 of the student body brought bibles to school a couple of weeks ago in support of Mr. Freshwater. In addition, the fact that hundreds of people showed up in support of Mr. Freshwater filling the Public Square singing "How Great Thou Art" shows that God can use even the worst of situations.

Thom Collier, Ohio State House Representative for the 90th District, which encompasses Mount Vernon shared why he was at the rally. He said that he was at the rally because he shares a view from a unique perspective as a public official, a public figure, a believer in Christ. He wanted to share a little of the big picture. He said, “Because I believe when the smoke clears, the investigations are complete, we will still have one major question that lingers before us in the community and as a society. Can a teacher have a Bible, or a Koran for that matter, on the corner of their desk? And for the record, yes, I have a Bible on the corner of my desk in the (Ohio) State House. ” He raised his Bible in his right hand, like Charlton Heston did his rifle at the NRA convention, and said, “Out of my cold dead hands.”

Freshwater spoke of his mission trip to China, to the area of China that was recently hit by that devastating earthquake. His youngest daughter, Jordan, was only two years old at the time. Mr. Freshwater recalled how sitting on his shoulders Jordan sang the B.I.B.L.E. song for the Chinese church audiences, who requested the song at church meetings. The crowd joined Jordan in singing the children's favorite:

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that's the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

Closing the meeting was Chris Long, Executive Director of the Ohio Christian Alliance, based in Akron, Ohio. His organization also supports the stand Freshwater has taken.