Couple evangelizes through license plate
Published on -8/8/2008, 7:24 PM
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Special to The Hays Daily News
COLBY -- Francis Landry believes in evangelization.
Landry, with the help of his friend, John Bremenkamp, designed a Kansas state license plate they hope many will adopt to evangelize their faith in God.
The plate consists of a picture of wheat in the left-hand corner with the words boldly overlaid saying, "In God We Trust."
Francis said he felt the need to evangelize after he attended his Cursillo weekend. He patiently waited for God to show him how to proceed.
Last year, when he and his wife, Geri, were visiting their son, Keith Landry, in Greencastle, Ind., he noticed many Indiana tags that said "In God We Trust."
"Oftentimes while driving, our state of mind is elsewhere," Landry said. "But you get behind someone with that license plate, and it changes your mindset. It reminds you that God is in charge. I thought, 'This is a nice message to have out there on the street.' "
Upon returning to Kansas, Landry went to the Thomas County Treasurer's office to see about getting similar tags in Kansas. That's when he discovered the process was not going to be an easy task.
He was told it took legislative action to incorporate a new license plate.
Landry approached his state representative, Rep. Jim Morrison, R-Colby, who liked the idea and introduced House Bill 2704. The Landrys began lobbying legislators to pass this bill. Within three months, the bill passed both houses.
"There were only three people in both houses that actually opposed it," Francis said. "That's a pretty good percentage."
Now the Landrys are on another mission -- to get the people of Kansas to adopt the image.
"We need 500 people to say they will use this tag before they will print it," Francis said, indicating that the signatures will need to be completed by the end of August or the whole idea will be delayed until such a time that enough people indicate interest.
Anyone wanting to have the license plate must e-mail or call the Landrys and give their name, phone number, e-mail address if available, and the county they reside in. The people who sign up will be assigned a license number.
The tags will then be sent to county treasurers' offices, and notices printed in local papers as to the date people can pick it up. At that time there will be a $40 fee, but the tag is good for four years.
"That's only $10 a year to evangelize to anyone who pulls up behind you," Francis said.
"From what we've read, 86 percent of people believe in God and believe we should keep the phrase 'In God we Trust' on our money exchange, and keep God in our Pledge of Allegiance," Geri said.
"Yet we sit back and let 14 percent of society dictate to us and take this message away from us who believe. I pray the whole state will adopt this message."
The couple, retired from running a restaurant business, said they have not allowed themselves to become discouraged throughout this process.
"It was a little more involved than we thought, but that just made us continue. Nothing is too easy," Francis said. "We are all called to be evangelizers, and having a license plate on one's car, is an easy way to accomplish that goal."
To reserve the license plate stating "In God We Trust," individuals must contact the Landrys by e-mail land@sttel.net, call at (785) 460-2258, cell phone (785) 443-3226 or write to them at 15 Cottonwood Drive, Colby, KS 67701.
God Bless America. Sign me up.
(Posted by: Les C.)
new license plate: 6/3/2009
In God we trust is a great idea, every other religion gets to speak up when ever they want. Except christians ! I will be ordering !!
(Posted by: Nancy Meyers)
God?: 9/5/2008
How would Christians like it if Muslims were able to get the state to produce plates that say "Praise Allah?"
(Posted by: Ahab the Arab)
God plates: 9/5/2008
The First Amendment to the US constitution states that "Congress shall pass no law... respecting an establishment of religion." This law definitely establishes religion, since professing a belief in a god on an official document in effect states that the government officially endorses belief in this god, thereby establishing religion. It is highly unconstitutional and just plain wrong since "we" don't trust in God. If you want to profess your faith on your car, stick a Jesus fish on it. Don't use the government to do so.
(Posted by: Doubting Thomas)
New License plate: 9/3/2008
So glad to see there are others willing to show their beliefs to the world.
(Posted by: )
Teastimony Tag: 8/27/2008
I like it, I like it! Andover, KS
(Posted by: Marilyn)
To the reader who posted: state-sponsored religion: 8/26/2008
Have you read the US Constitution? Where does it say anything about the separation of church and state? The First Amendment does say: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
(Posted by: D. Taylor)
Hallelujah!!!: 8/26/2008
I wish I would have thought of this, But SO GLAD YOU DID!!! AMEN LANDRYS!!! I'd love to put my personalized tag on this plate HAVNFUN I'm having fun Trusting in God!
(Posted by: HAVNFUN in SEK)
In God We Better Trust!!!: 8/26/2008
Did anyone else notice that the individual complaining that having In God We Trust is a violation of Church/State affiliation did not have the COURAGE to sign their name. These tags will be a blessing!
(Posted by: Sue Byers)
: 8/26/2008
This is great, what a way to witness for our Lord.
(Posted by: Len Williams)
E-mail: 8/25/2008
Try that e-mail address now
(Posted by: hdn)
email address: 8/25/2008
I tried dto send an email to order a tag but it came but invalid address???
(Posted by: Sandy,Emporia KS)
In God We Trush Tag: 8/25/2008
Not only do I want one of these tags - I'd be proud to display this tag on my car. Thank you,
(Posted by: Julie (Mulvane, KS))
In God We Trust, Tags: 8/25/2008
May God Bless you! What a wounderful idea. I'd be really proud to have it one. My tag expires 9/30/08.
(Posted by: D. Rivas)
Kansas Tag: 8/24/2008
YES!!!! I want one. I'd be very proud to have it on my car. Sign me up!
(Posted by: Susan Ballard;ElDorado,Ks)
license plate: 8/22/2008
ABSOLUTELY!! WE NEED THIS.
(Posted by: a.shea)
New License Plate: 8/22/2008
I think this is a timely and needed message. I am sorry if anyone thinks that we must not let God and our fellowman know that we are trusting in our Sovereign Lord. If we draw close to him he will draw close to us.
(Posted by: Linda O. Hays)
New Liscense Plate: 8/22/2008
Christians have a voice too. Let's unite! Thank you for the idea. What a beautiful way to witness to the whole world. Just a reminder: make sure your driving shows Jesus. Bad drivers with that message will make a bad impression on many.
(Posted by: BC)
In GOD We Trust: 8/22/2008
I'd buy the tag!
(Posted by: Kimberly)
state-sponsored religion: 8/22/2008
These license plates are a violation of the separation of church and state as called for in the US constitution. I don't care if you want to evangelize but don't use official government documents to do so. To produce these tags is to state that the government of Kansas officially sponsors religion, which is wrong
(Posted by: )
In God We Trust: 8/21/2008
Thank you for being the driving force behind this most worthy project!
(Posted by: Donna B., Pratt Co.)
In GOD we trust: 8/21/2008
Yes we want one,
(Posted by: ray & carol peirce)
license plate: 8/21/2008
I will choose to 'show' by belief system.
(Posted by: Charlotte)
I would buy one: 8/20/2008
Please print this license tag!
(Posted by: Karen Moore)
In God We Trust plate: 8/20/2008
to speak up for our sovereign Lord! I will contact the Landrys as soon as I leave this comment.
(Posted by: Nancy Dopps)
I Trust in God: 8/20/2008
I would buy one
(Posted by: Beckie)
: 8/20/2008
I think this is a great idea. We need more voices like this in our world.
(Posted by: Sherilyn Lee)
License plates: 8/19/2008
I LOVE IT Thanks
(Posted by: Wanda R)
License tags: 8/19/2008
Would like license tag. Mine expires 9/30/08. Can I get one in time.
(Posted by: Julia A. Qualls)
: 8/18/2008
I love it/have seen others also. Would love to have one!
(Posted by: Wanda)
I Want one for sure: 8/18/2008
These are great. How do we get one???
(Posted by: Ginger Foster)
New License plate: 8/18/2008
I love it and the wheat also. Can it be purchased with a personal tag?
(Posted by: Kim)
Tag: 8/18/2008
What a wonderful idea for the In God We Trust tag. I'll forward the information to all my friends & relatives. Count me in.
(Posted by: Karen Jakub)
TAGS: 8/17/2008
I love the idea of the tag in God We Trust. I will be telling all my Christian friends. Thank you so much.
(Posted by: Velda Hudnall)
New Plate for KS: 8/16/2008
Can this also be made for a handicapped plate...??? If so, I'm in...!!!
(Posted by: Karen M R)
New license plate 8/15/'08: 8/15/2008
This says something we believe in. We want to be part of the group that supports this plate.
(Posted by: Mary and Gene)
New License Plate: 8/14/2008
I totally approve of the new Kansas license plate with the words In God we Trust. Where and when may I get one?
(Posted by: A. M. Christmann)
Timing: 8/14/2008
How many have signed up to date? Now, the end of August comes up VERY soon and the word needs to get out. Comment PLEASE
(Posted by: Harold F.)
New License plate: 8/13/2008
YYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Posted by: Rolland Benoit)
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