The Community Council for Free Expression
The Community Council For Free Expression first came together in April 2008 as a “steering committee” and a voice from the Mt. Vernon Community to support Middle School Science Teacher, John Freshwater, in his stand to keep the Bible on his desk. The group soon felt that the issue was much bigger than just John Freshwater so they adopted the name “Community Council For Free Expression.”
The leaders of the CCFE all live in the Mount Vernon, Ohio, area. They come from diverse backgrounds and churches, but all support John in his battle to keep the Bible on his desk where it has been for the last 21 years. Even though the Mount Vernon School Board has levied other allegations against John in order to move the debate away from the Bible on the desk the CCFE believe that he will be fully exonerated. Then the issue will move back to the Bible on the desk.
The following are the leaders of the Community Council For Free Expression:
Don Matolyak is Pastor of Trinity Assembly of God in Mt. Vernon and has been John Freshwater’s Pastor for more than 14 years.
Dan Whisner is Pastor of Colonial City Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. He also leads the Ohio Legislative Watch.
Thom Collier is the Ohio State Representative for the 90th District and local business man.
William Kepko is an attorney in Mt. Vernon, OH.
Bill Fulda is Pastor of the First Church of God in Mt. Vernon and serves as President of the Knox Network of Christian Ministries.
Steve Thompson is a Vice President with the Ariel Corporation and has lived his entire life in the Mt. Vernon area.
Dewey Morrow is a retired Pastor & District Supervisor with the Foursquare Gospel Church.
The Community Council For Free Expression is a non-profit corporation and has developed a Legal Defense Fund to help with John Freshwater’s legal expenses. Those wishing to donate to this fund can give via credit card on this web site or write your check to
The Community Council For Free Expression
c/o Trinity Assembly of God
1051 Beech Street
Mt. Vernon, OH 43050