LANCASTER, OH-What would cause long time liberal activist like Barry Lynn of People for the Separation of Church and State to get excited about the Ohio Restoration Project? Pastor Russell Johnson of the Fairfield Christian Church in Lancaster, founder of the Ohio Restoration Project (ORP) believes he knows: “The hinges of history are moving on our watch and the church has a royal opportunity to be salt and light to this generation.”

   Barry Lynn’s response to the new evangelical organization was reported by Jim Dao of the New York Times. Lynn said, “This is the most dangerous model I’ve seen in years”. Lynn added that this effort (ORP) is having a wider appeal than most of the conservative endeavors, citing the Project’s ability to cross denominational lines, reaching conservative Catholics, Evangelicals and Pentecostals.

   In its first few weeks, the Ohio Restoration Project disseminated its materials to more than 3,000 leaders across Ohio. The website (www.ohiorestorationproject.com) had nearly 8,000 hits during July. And to date more than 900 churches have been added to their mailing list.

   Pastor Johnson is asking every Patriot Pastor to recruit 100 faithful people to be connected by e-prayer and regularly intercede for the state and nation, then every Patriot Pastor to mobilize 200 volunteers to go to their schools as coaches, into the nursing homes as assistants, to assist the elderly down the street, and to be engaged in nonpartisan voter registrations. “The left has often told evangelicals to keep their faith behind stain glassed windows, in effect muzzling Christian citizens of faith. We are inviting every Patriot Pastor to register 300 new value voters for the months to come,” said Johnson.

   Tony Perkins, with the Family Research Council, recently traveled to Lancaster to speak at Fairfield Christian Church. Perkins said, “The Ohio Restoration Project represents a tremendous opportunity for pastors to be ‘salt and light’ to our culture. I would encourage every minister of the Gospel to stand with Pastor Johnson as Patriot Pastors in this exciting new venture of faith in action.”

   Perkins, after hosting several national telecasts, drew criticism from liberal legislators for using the pulpit to rally Christian conservatives. Max Blumenthal, wrote in The Nation, “Justice Sunday was promoted as a rally to portray Democrats are against people of faith.” He continued his observations that “the faithful were imbued with the notion that they are being victimized by the Democratic evildoers”.

   In response Johnson said, “After the impact of Ohio’s evangelicals in November’s presidential race, nobody with any insight to the future of state government is counting these folks out.”

   Humphrey Hawksley of the British Broadcasting Corp. flew across the pond to visit Lancaster. In his report to an audience of millions through BBC print and international TV Hawksley reported, “I had come to Lancaster to gauge Republican political views, but left convinced, that it is, in fact the raging debate about Christian values that may well decide the future path of America, very much.” Hawksley was apparently intrigued with the sense of dedication and sacrifice among evangelicals in mid-America.

   Jim Dao of the New York Times interviewed Pastor Johnson about the Ohio Restoration Project’s goals for the coming months. Johnson suggested that Pastor Rod Parsley of the Center for Moral Clarity be included in order to discuss increasing cooperation among key leaders in the state.

   And in late July Susan Page, the Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today spent two full days with Johnson and his team. Page stated that her interest in the Ohio Restoration Project was to answer two key questions: Are Ohio evangelicals rising to the level of involvement that would be comparable to the traditional involvement of black churches in Democratic politics; and do evangelicals expect a migration of pro-family and pro-live African Americans to be involved in future GOP efforts?

   Johnson’s responded to USA Today, “The Ohio Restoration Project is primarily interested in involving Christians in the ‘stewardship of their citizenship’. This means that Christians need to pray for their leaders in government like never before, be involved in volunteering in local efforts in record numbers, and respect those who have given their lives for our freedom by being registered to vote, getting informed, and then voting.”

   Citizens for Community Values has joined with the ORP on several projects. CCV founder Phil Burress expressed his encouragement with the recent development of the Ohio Restoration Project. Burress said, “In my 25 years of public service this is one of the finest grass roots efforts to mobilize pastors and pews to make a difference in America.”

   Pastor Johnson has seen CCV in action over the years and said, “Phil Burress can teach us a great deal of how to be effective in moving Ohio towards a stronger, more Godly representation among our state and national leaders. I’m grateful to be on Phil and Vicky’s prayer list.”

   Johnson desires everyone’s prayers, as the national press has apparently expressed interested in covering the August ORP meeting in Cincinnati. According to Johnson, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, the New York Times may be reporting on the activities of that meeting.

   Johnson stated, “I met with about 50 leaders from different walks (during a preparation meeting in late July) and asked them to pray for this venture. It was great to see veterans who have been in the trenches making a difference for years, like Greg Quinlan and Jack Wilke’s team, dedicated prayer warriors from Transformation Cincinnati, all committed to working together for Ohio’s future. These folks understand that Ohio is at the epicenter of a miraculous new chapter in American history.”

   Those who wish to make their reservations for the King’s Island ORP lunch on Thursday August 25 at 11:30 am. can go online at www.ohiorestorationproject.com or call Pastor Bill Lavely at 740-438-3963.