Since the early church, Christians have practiced open hospitality. Part of loving the stranger means inviting the stranger in to hear the Word of God shared and prayers offered in the name of Jesus. Christians have always used their homes to study the Bible.

However, according to a city in Pennsylvania, if your home happens to be in the wrong zoning area, Bible studies are prohibited.

Last year, Theresa and Scott Fetterolf, owners of Dundee Farm and Fields LLC, were ordered to cease-and-desist from hosting Bible studies on their private property by the Sewickley Heights Borough. Why? Because the city decided to impose very strict zoning laws. These zoning restrictions categorized Theresa and Scott’s home as a “place of worship” like a church or a synagogue. 

Meaning, Sewickley Heights Borough told Theresa and Scott to stop hosting Bible studies, worship nights or Christian retreats on their property or pay $500 PER DAY in fines.

Theresa and Scott and are fighting back and have sued the Sewickley Heights Borough in Federal court for violating the United States Constitution. This is a key opportunity for us to help apply pressure to the Sewickley Heights Borough.

Let’s show the Sewickley Heights Borough that the country is watching and that their best course of action is to settle with Theresa and Scott now and stop discriminating against Christians.

“Government should not target religious activities for punishment, particularly when similar secular activities are permitted. In America, no government can categorically ban people from assembling to worship on one’s own property.” -Jeremy Samek, Senior Counsel for the Independence Law Center.

Further Resources:

https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/cease-desist-town-orders-family-to-stop-hosting-bible-studies-on-farm/

https://pafamily.org/2018/07/biblestudyban/

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2018/07/16/Dundee-Farm-Theresa-Scott-Fetterolf/stories/201807130157