FPAF Celebrates SoCon Conference, Statesmen Academy in Washington, D.C.

FPAF Celebrates SoCon Conference, Statesmen Academy in Washington, D.C.

The Family Policy Alliance Foundation (FPAF) hosted its second annual Social Conservative Policy Conference, or SoConCon as it has become fondly known, last week in Washington, along with the seventh year of the Statesmen Academy.

SoConCon is the largest gathering of the top social conservative policy leaders in the nation — including state and national policy groups, academics, lawmakers, and more. SoConCon 2024 saw more than 400 leaders in attendance from more than 150 organizations!

Leaders gathered in the nation’s capital to debate and strategize critical issues such as how to best to protect unborn life at the ballot box, in state legislatures, in D.C. and in the fertility industry. We took a hard look at parental rights, education freedom, transgender ideology, and how to protect children online.

One of the favorite sessions was hearing from whistleblowers Dr. Eithan Haim and nurse Vanessa Sivadge who exposed the lies and fraud in the transgender clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest children’s hospital in the world.

Trailblazing lawmakers also received a standing ovation when they shared their lessons learned and how they are processing being the ones used by God to truly change the course of our nation. Rep. Robin Lundstrum (AR-18) authored the first ever law banning the practice of gender transition on children—now in place in nearly half of all states. Rep. Barb Ehardt (ID-33) set the nation on fire with her law ensuring that girls’ sports remain for girls, also now in place in half of our states. And, Rep. Laurie Schlegel (LA-82) became known as the woman who “took on the porn industry and won,” something no one thought possible.

In addition to the SoConCon event, the week included the seventh-annual Statesmen Academy. Forty-three statesmen from 23 states joined with top policy leaders from across the nation for an unforgettable week of equipping, strategizing, and fellowship. The Statesmen Academy now boasts 240 alumni — most of whom are serving in state legislatures — from 41 states.

At FPAF’s Statesmen Academy, state legislators are trained in biblical worldview, statesmanship, and Christian leadership. They’re educated on current hot-button policy issues and equipped with model policy, communications and legislative strategy, and more. Statesmen receive individual and large-group media training and glean practical advice for effective and God-honoring public service from seasoned Christian legislators.

This year’s premier speakers included former senator and ambassador Sam Brownback, Congressmen Brian Babin (R-TX) and Josh Brecheen (R-OK, a Statesmen Academy alumnus), Christians Engaged Vice President Ben Quine, and Colson Center President John Stonestreet. In addition, more than 25 pro-family members of Congress appeared and spoke at a congressional reception on Capitol Hill, including Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), House Values Action Chairman Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Statesmen Academy alumnus Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). Following, statesmen and state leaders were treated to a private Capitol tour.

At the event’s closing gala, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was honored with the ministry’s top annual award — The Coburn Statesman Award — and ministry partner Josh Drake received the Minnery Legacy Award for his faithful partnership with FPAF. The gala concluded with a vibrant celebration of the recent legislative sweep to protect children online with age verification policies. FPAF is proud to host the coalition of legislators, state and national leaders (many pictured below) to pass these bills across the country. What started in 2022 with Louisiana Rep. Laurie Schlegel’s bill has quickly caught fire and now passed in 19 states and counting!

To advance these issues so near and dear to all our hearts, it is vitally important that social conservative leaders come together to debate, strategize, and learn from one another.

That’s why SoConCon and the Statesmen Academy are so important — and it wouldn’t be possible without you! Your partnership and prayers make this possible. The more than 40 sponsors for SoConCon are also vital, especially our founding Platinum sponsor, Focus on the Family. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our sponsors!