Dear Friends:

On Saturday, our nation was rocked by not one, but two mass shootings that claimed the lives of at least 31 people. Within seconds, the finger pointing began as citizens and politicians rushed to social media to share their condolences coupled with thinly veiled political rhetoric.

As I scanned my feeds, I could not help but lament the impact of politics on our grieving. Sadly, political expediency has largely desensitized us to the loss of human life, evidenced by our obsession with the evil perpetrators versus the victims. Was the perp conservative or liberal? Was he white, black, or brown? Does he support Republicans or Democrats? These are the questions so many disingenuously ask in order to advance their political agenda. The result—exploitation and straw man accusations from many on the left, and soft-peddling and faulty comparisons from many on the right.

As Christians, however, we need not participate in the pandering and grandstanding. When tragedy strikes, it is our faith—not our politics—that should dictate our reaction and response. And our faith tells us that we should:

While others point the finger at one another, we have an opportunity to point others to Jesus Christ—and not simply through our thoughts and prayers, but through our actions and reactions.

 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me.’” -Matthew 25:40

In His Service,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director

Dear Friends:

Early voting is underway across New Mexico and it is very important that you (1) get out and vote as soon as possible and (2) encourage your family and friends to do the same. Many people plan to vote on Election Day—Tuesday, November 6—but then it rains, or the car breaks down, or a child gets sick, and, sadly, they never vote. So don’t delay! Vote early!

I also want to encourage you to vote Christian. As I have been speaking at events and churches recently, I have described this election as the “most important election in my lifetime.” Why? Because I believe our state is at a crossroads and that the future of family, life, and religious freedom is genuinely at stake. Gone are the days when biblical values were embraced by our culture, and, quite frankly, we are now living in culture that does not even allow us to agree to disagree on these issues. More and more, Christians are being told that we must not only tolerate but accept and even celebrate the sins of contemporary culture, or risk facing the wrath of an angry mob and an increasingly hostile government.

But, we can do something about this! We can PRAY and we can VOTE! Prayer is the language that moves heaven. Voting is the language that will change New Mexico. So before you head to the polls this week, please PRAY for this election and our state, then VOTE Christian by casting your ballot for those men and women who will support and defend Biblical truths.

For information about early voting in your area, you can look up early voting locations here or you can call your county clerk. Additional election-related information is also available on our website.

Thank you for exercising your civic responsibility and for standing with us!

“Therefore…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

Together in Christ,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director

Paid for by Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico

Dear Friends:

“Why are Christians giving the President a pass?”

“Why do evangelicals excuse the Presidents questionable actions?”

“Why aren’t people of faith speaking out against the President’s moral flaws?”

If you watch the mainstream media or if you have recently participated in a political discussion about faith and politics, perhaps you have heard questions like this. In light of this matter, our Family Policy Alliance President and CEO, Paul Weber recently penned a great article titled, “Perfect Values & Imperfect Leaders,” and, this week, I would like to share some of the highlights with you.

In the article, Paul notes that the 2016 Presidential Election largely came down to this – “a morally flawed candidate [in Donald Trump] who made promises that largely aligned with our values” versus “a morally flawed candidate [in Hillary Clinton] who made promises that absolutely violated our values.” We all know the outcome – given these choices, the majority of evangelical Christians went with Trump.

Fast-forward to the present, and as a Christian ministry working in the public square, Family Policy Alliance now finds itself often “advocating for the pro-family policies we support, advanced by a leader whose behavior we do not.”

As Paul states: “…we cheer when President Trump promises to end tax payer funding for abortion (we’re still waiting Mr. President), nominates Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and advocates for more like him, appoints Cabinet members that affirm Christian values, and implements fiscal policy that helps strengthen the family. But we groan in frustration with his tweets, his schoolyard bullying, and reject his deplorable behavior with and toward women.”

So, are Christians giving the President a pass? I don’t believe so. In fact, I believe most Christians lament and reject his immoral words and actions. At the same time, we should celebrate his accomplishments, particularly when they relate to issues of faith, family, life, and religious freedom.

But most important, we should be praying for our President. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

So, if President Trump is not on your prayer list, please add him and join me in praying for him this week, in accordance with this passage – that he would (1) lead a peaceful and quiet life, (2) be godly and dignified in every way, and (3) that he would come to the knowledge of the truth.

God bless you and have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director

To read Paul Weber’s article, “Perfect Values & Imperfect Leaders,” in its entirety, please click here.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” –John 5:14-16 (ESV)

Dear Friends:

I was updating my Facebook profile recently and came to a question asking about my “political views.” Without much thought, I immediately typed in the word “conservative” and moved on. Later that day, however, I began thinking about how public perception of the “conservative” designation has changed over the years. It is quite amazing that a word once associated with religious affiliation and faith-based conviction is now tied to perceptions of hypocrisy, self-righteousness, hate, and bigotry.

In the wake of President Trump’s victory in 2016, it was not uncommon to see the words “conservative evangelical” in media headlines across our nation. And for many years, I would have boldly and unashamedly accepted that designation as an accurate descriptor of my beliefs. However, as I mentioned, things have drastically changed, which has prompted me to be weary of any label that distracts from or mischaracterizes the mission of the Christian Church.

Let me begin by saying that much like the word “evangelical,” I believe the word “conservative” has become a misnomer, and not merely because of its association with hate and bigotry, which the vast majority of all conservatives absolutely loathe. I believe the semantics alone are reason for concern, particularly when it comes to our mission as Christians. In his book, The Church at the End of the 20th Century, the great Dr. Francis Schaeffer wrote, “One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservative. Christianity today is not conservative, but revolutionary.”

Friends – we are living in a day and age where Christianity is anything but conservative. In reality, it is both radical and revolutionary, which is consistent with the actions and experiences of the early church and Jesus’ own earthy ministry. Sure, there was a time in our nation when Christians conservatism was slightly more popular, but I think we can all agree that time has passed. As Dr. Schaeffer further expounds, “To be conservative today is to miss the whole point, for conservatism means standing in the flow of the status quo, and the status quo no longer belongs to us.”

I do not quote Senator Bernie Sanders often, but the truth is, “We need a revolution!” However, unlike Senator Sanders, I am not just talking about the need for political reform – I’m talking about the need for spiritual revival. As the Church, our calling was never to be a “Moral Majority” – but, rather, to be a faithful and missional minority. This is not to say that we should abandon our moral, biblical values. We must, however, recognize the fact that they are no longer in line with mainstream American culture, which means that if we want to preserve any remnant of God-honoring values in our culture, we must engage! In Dr. Schaefer’s words, we need to be revolutionaries!

Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico exists to revolutionize our state for God’s glory and our good, and with your continued prayers and support, I believe we can live to witness dramatic change in the “Land of Enchantment.” Until such time, thank you for joining us on our mission to make our vision a reality – a New Mexico where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished!

Blessings,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director

They’re helping Texas families after Hurricane Harvey, but FEMA will not help them. Why? Because of their faith.

So now, three churches are going to court with the help of our friends at Becket.

Autumn Leva, our Director of Policy and Communications, explains why churches and other Christian non-profits should be treated the same as anybody else who was impacted by the storm. In fact, the key legal question has already been decided by the Supreme Court.

What do we say about Charlottesville?

Racism, protests, murder. This is clearly not what God desires for our nation. But it’s definitely what everyone is talking about this week.

Eric Teetsel, president of Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, says a person can be a follower of Jesus Christ or a white supremacist – but not both. He offers a biblical perspective connecting the dots from your pro-life beliefs to what should be preached in your church.

From playgrounds to wedding cakes to something called the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,” religious freedom has been winning lately in the courts.

Stuart Shepard asks Ashley Shaw, Family Policy Alliance’s new legal expert, to explain the nuances of these court actions and how they impact Christians across America.

When you cast your ballot, your vote is for more than just a president.

As Stuart Shepard explains in his Stoplight® commentary, your vote will also be toward a Supreme Court nominee. That selection will impact decisions regarding life, marriage and religious freedom for the rest of your life.

Thank you for sharing Stoplight with your friends.

Check out our voter guide page.

Some NFL players are protesting by kneeling during the national anthem. In his Stoplight commentary, Stuart Shepard sets aside the controversy for a moment and considers the important principles underlying that right to protest, and considers what they mean for Christians.

You may be hearing people say they’ll not vote in a certain race this year based on their Christian principles. In his Stoplight® commentary, Stuart Shepard suggests that you might ask them, “What do you say to Connecticut?”