New York City Pastor on Day 42 of Water-Only Fast/Hunger Strike; Believes Fast Lead to Favorable Federal Court Ruling Last Friday, Feb. 24, by Judge Preska
Manhattan Pastor Fasting Due to Mayor Evicting Churches
NEW YORK, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reverend/Pastor William Devlin, senior minister at Iglesia Biblica de Manhattan/Manhattan Bible Church began a water-only fast at midnight January 17, 2012 and stated that he will continue his hunger strike until Mayor Bloomberg & Chancellor Walcott reverse their decision on evicting houses of worship from education buildings as was done on February 12. The eviction of churches in New York City has made international news and has been called "a monstrosity of religious intolerance" by MSNBC's Martin Bashir by striking down equal access to those who help the poor communities the most.
Pastor Devlin, as of today, is in Day 42 of a water-only fast. Devlin stated, "The purpose of this water-only 42 Day fast is to bring attention to the hearts of our Mayor and Chancellor. My fast is to ask God to soften the hearts of Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Walcott. The churches that these men are making homeless are the salt and light of the poor communities in which they serve." Devlin has lost 50 pounds.
Devlin stated that he is taking a page from the biblical book of Esther. Queen Esther called for a fast when her people were faced with extermination by an unjust ruler. In Scripture, fasting is called when there is imminent danger. The Jewish and Christian Scriptures are filled with references to fasting. In January to February 2007, Devlin completed a 40 day water-only fast for the City of Philadelphia when gun violence and murders had reached an epidemic.
Devlin is the senior pastor of one of the largest congregations in Northern Manhattan. The church also operates a K-8 school with 340 children; a soup kitchen that has served over one million meals since 1988; an after-school program for community children; free marriage mentoring; a community basketball league for children 7-15 years.
Devlin is a registered nurse, a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary, a former Wall Street head-hunter for Guardian Life, married to bride Nancy for 32 years and the father of five grown children and two grandchildren. To arrange an interview with Pastor Devlin, contact Pastor Devlin @ [email protected] (646)233-7279 or Hamilton Strategies, (215) 815-7716 [email protected].
SOURCE Pastor Bill Devlin
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