MADISON TOWNSHIP — One school district at a time, framed depictions of the national and state mottoes are going on display in classrooms throughout North Central Ohio. This month Madison Local Schools became the most recent recipient of the displays given by two local clergymen.

Pastor Robert Kurtz of Mansfield Baptist Temple is teaming up with Pastor Dink Porter of the First Church of the Open Bible to reach the next generation. Both pointed to historical figures they learned about in school as inspiration.

Pastor Robert Kurtz with Pastor Dink Porter displaying sample of display.

(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“Our two congregations decided that we wanted to go beyond our church walls and together reach our community,” explained Pastor Porter. “Collectively we have donated two hundred and fifty-two framed displays for every classroom in Madison with “In God We Trust,” and “With God all things are possible.”

The pastor pointed to a quote from Abraham Lincoln as one of the inspirations behind their endeavor: “The philosophy of the classroom today will be the philosophy of government tomorrow.”

Pastor Kurtz is proud to have a congregation in the Madison School District.

“I appreciate the opportunity to show our commitment to the community. I am convinced the importance of churches and schools working together is amplified when we consider this quote from Alexis de Tocqueville:

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. . . in her fertile fields and bound less forests, and it was not there. . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” Alexis de Tocqueville

French Political Scientist

Pastor Kurtz noted that “Both of our congregations want to communicate to the school administrators and faculty in Madison that our congregations want to be a blessing to the schools. This is one small way to communicate this.”

Pastor Porter added, “Our mission statement at Open Bible is to love God, to love others, and to serve the community. These are challenging times for families and young people in particular and we want to give them hope.”

After challenges by atheists in Ohio’s Sixth Circuit Court, both the national motto and the state motto have been upheld in court and deemed constitutional.

Contrary to map, Ohio schools must display motto if donated.

(Map courtesy of Education Commission)

In 2006, Ohio Governor Bob Taft signed into law a bill requiring all public and community schools to display any donated copies of the national motto and state mottos.

According to 3313.801 of the Ohio Revised Code, if a copy of the official motto of the United States of America “In God We Trust” or the official motto of Ohio “With God, All Things Are Possible” is donated to any school district, or if money is donated to the district specifically for the purpose of purchasing such material, the board of education of the school district shall accept the donation and display the motto in an appropriate manner in a classroom, auditorium, or cafeteria of a school building in the district,

In 2018 six states passed laws to prominently display the National Motto at the entrances of their schools. View the video from Fox News below.

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