Most churches feature marquee signs out front of the building to display messages to both their congregation and passers-by.
These are typically announcements regarding church events (like an upcoming bake sale or potluck dinner), or they may even be specific passages pulled from the Bible that the church feels are particularly timely.
But one church in Oregon is using its sign to display political messages in an effort to preach love and inclusion.
But according to CNN, he opts to skip out on posting the usual bake sale announcements or Bible quotes in favor of creating more topical messages for everyone to see.
And he makes sure people know these messages aren't just for the members of Clackamas United Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.
In an Instagram post, the church explained that Harriet Tubman has been left off the bill "because of the ideology of white supremacy that continues to suppress our black siblings."
This sign came on the heels of President Donald Trump's proposal for a new immigration system which would replace all current family and employment-based immigration preference categories with an award system, allocating points based primarily on age and education.
His timely sign simply but poignantly reminded everyone that transgender people also have heartbeats.
Now, after using the church's marquee sign to spread his messages of love and acceptance throughout the community, that number has nearly doubled with between 50 and 60 people filing into the church every week.
Sometimes he posts Biblically-inspired messages, such as one in which he quotes Ephesians to remind everyone "what Jesus does with walls", likely in reference to Trump's proposed wall separating America and Mexico.
However, this is exactly what Ericksen wants his signs to be.
"Jesus preached the kingdom of God, and this was politically loaded message," he said. "His harshest message was for religious leaders who marginalized people."
"We've gotten hundreds of messages, including from transgender people who say they wish they had a church like this in their area," Ericksen said. "In every area there are pockets thirsting for this message of radical inclusion."
He believes it was her faith that saved her during her battle with cancer while he was a teenager.
After her diagnosis, when he asked if she was afraid, his mother would reply that she wasn't, saying, "Jesus will save me."
This one states the facts outright ("7,100 hate crimes in 2017") and insists that this is a "national emergency that needs our attention."
Several photos of his signs have gone viral on Facebook with people praising Clackamas United Church for its political, pro-trans, and anti-racist messages.
The latest sign advocating for Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill has been particularly popular on Facebook.
One person commented on the photo, "Thank you for helping me set aside the prejudices instilled from organized religon when they clearly had done my familia wrong."
h/t: CNN
