Almost a Year after the Tragic Attack on America, Pastor Wins Right to Hold Bible Study for Residents in New York City…

We’ve shared story after story about the hostility towards the Gospel in city and state of New York.

Many people say to themselves, “That’s New York,” and dismiss this hostility out-of-hand. However, what happens in New York is just a microcosm of what can happen anywhere in the country if God’s people do not stand up for religious liberty.

By God’s grace, we are on a roll in opening the doors for the Gospel in New York.

Immediately after the tragic attack on the World Trade Center towers, a pastor wanted to use a community center (that is part of a public housing development where the pastor resides) in the New York City to conduct a Bible study for those reeling in distress from the deaths of family members and friends (who also resided in the development). The facility the pastor requested use of the Woodside Community Center, which is open for numerous activities, including exercise groups, HIV/AIDS awareness programs, and arts and crafts classes.

Yet, when the pastor requested use of the center, the borough administrator, Mr. Pagan (no, I am not making his name up!) denied the request, citing the New York City Housing Authority Manual, which stated that “religious services, unless the religious services are directly connected to the principal reasons for a family oriented event, such as a wedding [are prohibited].”

ADF allied attorney Vincent McCarthy demanded equal access. When the housing authority refused, Vincent, with ADF funding, filed a lawsuit, stating that the policy violates Federal constitutional provisions of free speech, equal protection, the establishment clause and New York state constitutional provisions relating to equal protection, discrimination, and equal access to facilities.

And the good news! The court ruled in favor of the pastor and the Bible study!

In the “immortal” words of Frank Sinatra in his song “New York, New York”: “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” We are determined, always with God’s grace and on our knees in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to prevail in the continued battle over religious freedom in New York…so the religious freedoms of all Americans will be protected.
 

PRAYER REQUESTS
“Without Me, You Can Do Nothing,” – John 15:5

1. Please pray for the final sessions of this year’s Blackstone Fellowship program.
2. Please pray for continued wisdom in the many legal battles ahead.