The 3 - February 11, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, features developments about the potential destruction of the bodies of five aborted babies, which serve as evidence of criminal activity.  Also, an Ohio pastor who opened his church doors to the homeless and was arrested for it has reached a settlement with his city. And, an Arizona church staff member who was shot will preaching on a street was back at church recently and seems to have made a significant recovery.

Officials urged not to destroy bodies of aborted babies in DC

It is certainly a gruesome story - 115 aborted babies in Washington, DC found in a waste disposal truck outside an abortion clinic.  The bodies of five of those babies were handed over to a pro-life advocate.

Now the Department of Justice wants to destroy them which appears to be destroying evidence of a crime.  CBNNews.com relates:

As CBN News reported in April of 2022, the five babies at the center of headlines were among 115 remains from unborn babies rescued on March 25 from a medical waste transport company parked outside the Washington Surgi-Clinic in D.C.

The babies' masticated corpses were handed over to pro-life activist Lauren Handy. Pro-life groups believe the five babies were illegally aborted in violation of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act or the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act.

Attorneys with the Thomas More Society are defending Handy against prosecution by the Biden Department of Justice for her attempts to stop such abortions in the facility, the nonprofit law firm said.

The report says that the medical examiner's office had held the remains for two years, and now the DOJ wants to dispose of them.  Lawmakers are crying foul, with Representatives Chip Roy and Andy Biggs sending a letter to the mayor and police chief in Washington. 

The CBN article cites The Daily Signal, which quoted from the letter:

"Despite this significant claim, both the MPD and DOJ chose to ignore any potential evidence of a crime for two years," they write. "Now, DOJ has reportedly directed the Medical Examiner that 'there is no reason to keep those babies anymore.'"

They also said, "If partial-birth abortions were conducted on these unborn children, that is a violation of federal law and should be investigated as such. However, if the evidence in this case is destroyed, any future investigation will be severely hampered..."

CBN also states, "In addition, 35 pro-life organizations asked Congress this week to intervene and demanded the babies' remains not be discarded before an autopsy is completed, according to the Washington Examiner."

Pastor arrested for housing homeless in OH city reaches agreement

Perhaps you heard my account of an Ohio pastor, in Bryan, Ohio, who had been arrested because he opened up his church to homeless people.  One of the legal organizations representing him made an announcement several days ago; First Liberty announced on its website:

First Liberty Institute and city officials in Bryan, Ohio announced today that the city has agreed to drop all criminal charges against Dad’s Place Pastor Chris Avell. Dad’s Place has in turn agreed to cease residential operations and to seek proper building certifications, and zoning permits for the operations it plans to pursue together with the installation of any necessary safety measures associated with those permits. Negotiations continue as both sides seek to find a final resolution to the matter.

The Christian Post reported: "Avell was...slapped with 18 zoning law violation charges related to keeping his church open, and his alleged zoning ordinance violations included lacking proper kitchen and laundry facilities, having unsafe exits, and using improper ventilation." Pastor Avell said, "I am thankful to God, the city, and for everyone who has been praying for this day to come," adding, "Bryan is my home. I am eager to continue to serve God, my community, and the people I love."

AZ man shot while preaching on street back at church

It was perhaps a life-threatening situation, but an Arizona street preacher is back at church after surviving a gunshot wound. Hans Schmidt was shot in the head, and 10 weeks after that event, was back in church on January 28.  The Stream related about what Hans' wife, Zulya posted:

Sunday, Jan. 28, Zulya posted on Instagram an incredible praise report: her husband Hans attended church with her that Sunday. She included a clip of him playing the drums on stage during worship with this caption:

We serve a miracle working God. He walks, he talks, he even plays the drums [face holding back tears emoji]
God has done an incredible work in Hans’ life and every day he continues to improve. Please continue to pray for a full restoration 💙

Zulya has continued to pray for her husband’s recovery despite hopeless statements. Shortly after the shooting, Hans had seized and gone unconscious. Doctors initially called his brain injury “devastating” and “inoperable” and the detective working on the case told her “we’ll know more after the autopsy,” she told CBN News.

The Stream article says: "As of that CBN interview in late December, Hans was not able to communicate. Now the husband, father of two and former army combat medic can speak and do much more." Vision Christian Media reported:

Victory Chapel First Phoenix Church where Hans is the Outreach Director said he continues to fight and work hard at his recovery, but prayers are still needed and highly valued by him and his family, as the journey is not over.

The article quoted from a statement from the church: “We are rejoicing and thanking God for the miracle we have seen. Hans has been released from the hospital and is home with his family. Please continue to pray for this family as they navigate the road to recovery...”