The biggest pro-family victories in California so far this month are the successful campaigns to put “In God We Trust” on police vehicles in Kern County, just north of Los Angeles County.
Enjoy these photos from my two-day tour to battle alongside these three pastors who spearheaded their city campaigns and won great victories. I highly commend them for being outstanding examples of “standing your ground and not backing down.”
Godly pastors: Justin Medlock of
Shafter, David Vivas of Delano, Angelo Frazier of Bakersfield, and myself, on
June 4, after we testified to the Shafter City Council.
Bakersfield’s ‘In God We Trust’ leader: Pastor Angelo Frazier, doing a TV interview, on May 22, the day he proposed adding our national motto to police and fire vehicles.
Encouraging Christians to put their light on a stand: Here’s Pastor Angelo Frazier with a Christian man prior to the June 5 Bakersfield City Council meeting. He encouraged this man to speak, which he eventually did in front of the council, audience, and media.
Public perseverance: Both Christians and atheists at the June 5 Bakersfield City Council meeting. You can see Pastor Frazier and me in the first row. After 2 hours of testimony, the council voted 4 to 2 (Republicans for, Democrats against) to place “In God We Trust” on police and fire vehicles. The news quickly spread nationwide.
Even liberal media get to see ‘In God We Trust’: Bakersfield TV news people were waiting to interview Pastor Frazier after our great moral victory inside City Hall.
Basking in victory: Caring enough to show up for this winnable battle, these Bakersfield Christians celebrate with Pastor Frazier, along with me and Pastor Medlock from Shafter.
Glorying God in Shafter, California: On June 4, Pastor Justin Medlock testified, sharing how a Christian cop helped him repent from drug use and clean up his life with the help of Jesus Christ’s Holy Spirit. He knows that “In God We Trust” on police cars will do good!
Christians are coming out of the closet: Here’s Pastor Medlock with two brothers who own a design and print shop, who’ve offered to pay for the “In God We Trust” decals in both Delano and Shafter, overcoming an atheist objection of taxpayer expense.
He started it all: Pastor David Vivas used his influence with his city’s mayor to propose that Delano be the first California city to place “In God We Trust” on police vehicles. Like the spark of the American Revolution, Pastor Vivas’ bold action on April 2 was a “shot heard round the world.” Pastor Vivas says his Christianity compels him to publicly shine his light.
Christian values benefit everybody: On June 5, I had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Vivas and Delano Mayor Joe Aguirre, a very strong advocate of “In God We Trust.”
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they slight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, in Matthew 5:14-15
Saturday, May 25, 2019, 10:38 am | Randy Thomasson
Bakersfield city councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan, founder of the “In God We Trust” campaign
June 6, 2019 update — Bakersfield City Council approves “In God We Trust” on police and fire vehicles! See more on this significant win on SaveCalifornia.com’s Facebook page.
And despite legal challenges by atheists, the federal appellate courts have upheld “In God We Trust” as completely constitutional (as they should — a no-brainer).
On April 2, Pastor David Vivas of Delano (a city near the north border of Kern County) spearheaded the Delano city council’s approval of “In God We Trust” on the sides of police vehicles. The city council approved the idea and decals are being designed now.
There are more than 100 California cities and counties that already have “In God We Trust” prominently displayed either on one, some, or all of their local government buildings. Our national motto on police vehicles is as constitutional as “In God We Trust” on our money.
Then, on May 22 in Bakersfield, Pastor Angelo Frazier and City Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan led the way to put a vote for “In God We Trust” on city police vehicles on the June 5 Bakersfield city council agenda. Atheists, who hate “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency, spoke against it.
TAKE ACTION
Right now, your voice of support for “In God We Trust” is needed so Creator God’s Name can be publicly honored. SaveCalifornia.com makes it simple to take action:
It’s easy for you to email the 7 Bakersfield city councilmembers. Without revealing where you live, simply click this link to send a pre-written email (which you can edit), reading:
Please vote YES to approve “In God We Trust” decals on the sides of police vehicles in the City of Bakersfield. It’s our national motto, it’s on Bakersfield city buildings, and it’s a much-needed message in our culture today. People young and old will benefit, as will our public servants who are sworn to uphold the law for the good of everyone. Please vote in favor of this worthy proposal to honor our national motto, which, in turn, honors the Creator of us all. Thank you.
And if you live within the city limits of Bakersfield, please also call the city council main phone number at 661-326-3767. You can easily leave a brief voicemail, saying, “This is for all seven councilmembers,” then deliver the rest of your message, saying “Councilmembers,” (then read the pre-written message or use your own words). You can also call during the week to leave live messages with city staff (which could be more complicated). Please do what you can to stir up more calls of support in Bakersfield, in church congregations and from others who share your values. Remember, the city council will vote on June 5.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13–14
Why do we have crime and corruption in our society? Ultimately, it’s because of people who don’t fear their Creator and Judge. This is why most crimes happen when a perpetrator thinks no one is watching.
So rejoice that a California city has approved “In God We Trust” for police cars!
On April 2, the City of Delano, which is one of 136 California cities and counties that already have “In God We Trust” on their main buildings, voted to also display the United States of America’s national motto on the sides of police vehicles in their 53,000-population city, just inside the northern border of Kern County.
The driving force behind the council vote to honor God on police vehicles was Delano pastor David Vivas. “I’ve read where law enforcement agencies in other states have done this,” said Vivas, who teaches at World Harvest International Church. “As a patriotic American, I believe this is appropriate to have these decals placed on police vehicles.”
The movement to place “In God We Trust” on government buildings began in 2001 with Jacquie Sullivan, a Bakersfield, California city councilwoman. In 2002, the Bakersfield City Council voted to require all government buildings to display “In God We Trust” somewhere on each building. Then, with Jacquie’s vision, the “In God We Trust” movement “took off.”
“There are 136 cities and counties in California that are displaying ‘In God We Trust’ in their council chambers,” Sullivan said. Her website lists 683 local governments nationwide that unashamedly and prominently display our national motto honoring God.
Stop and think of the advantages of honoring God on police vehicles. Morality is doing what’s right in God’s sight despite opposition or when you know no one’s looking. But God’s always watching, right? But what’s going to sensitize people to remember this spiritual fact? See how “In God We Trust” on police cars is a stellar anti-crime and anti-corruption reminder for both gangs and cops?
If you agree that belief in, fear of, and love for God is the ultimate crime-prevention program, please urge your city councilmembers to vote to display “In God We Trust” in city council chambers (it’s easy: just email them and attach Jacquie Sullivan’s website). If “In God We Trust” is already being displayed, ask that it also go on police vehicles, like in Delano.This is as constitutional as our paper money and coins.
“Delano made history and this will set precedence for other law enforcement agencies in California who may have been thinking of doing this,” Vivas said. “Not everyone believes in God, but we can all be patriotic as Americans in being supportive of our national motto.”
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:6-7
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