Three individuals and two churches that are affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches have been nominated for the Liberator Award in Ohio.
The Liberator Award was created in honor of William Lloyd Garrison, considered a “radical Abolitionist” for his views on not only the immediate eradication of slavery but also for equal rights of blacks and women. It is sponsored by S.O.A.P. (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) and Be Free Dayton, organizations which work to abolish and prevent sex trafficking through education, outreach, demand reduction, and research.
In the category of Law Enforcement/Elected Official, Ken Lawson, a member of Grace Polaris Church (Mike Yoder, pastor), is a finalist.
Grace Fellowship, Pickerington, Ohio (Keith Miniear, pastor) is a finalist in the Church category. Grace Brethren Church, Delaware, Ohio (Gary Underwood, pastor), was also a nominee in this category.
Ruth Downing, a forensic nurse who attends the Grace Brethren Church in Delaware, is a finalist in the Volunteer category.
The Ohio Awards will be presented January 19 at Via Vecchia Winery in Columbus.
According to Lawson, Theresa Flores, a survivor, started the award and runs S.O.A.P. There were 84 total nominees in Ohio this year. Click here to learn more about the categories and descriptions.
The voting is a popular vote and the top four vote recipients are the finalists in their respective categories.
The awards will also be presented to Michigan nominees on January 10.
