The 2019 Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are now a week behind us.

The Christmas decorations are soon (if not already) stored away; the Christmas tree lights that still work have been carefully stowed in hopes they will light again next year (they never seem to!). And the Christmas cards received are now tucked away in a box because… it’s just too hard to discard them.

And with all the activity that the year-end brings, YOU also took precious time out to support Family Policy Alliance® and our sister ministry, Family Policy Foundation®.

Because of that, I just want to say:

Thank you!

On behalf of the Family Policy Alliance team, state policy allies, Statesmen, pastors and business leaders around the nation, we are grateful for your continued financial and prayer partnership.

Your support enabled us to meet the year-end Challenge Match established by generous ministry partners. Your outpouring has encouraged them and our team.

Because of you, we will carry the banner forward into 2020 aspiring to see our nation restored to one where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished.

With sincere gratitude to you, the family of believers, and wishing you a blessed 2020,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

 

Nearly every Christmas, my dear Grandmother would give me a red sweater. I don’t recall her doing the same for my siblings or cousins—but I confess that memories fade after 40+ years. Looking back, that red sweater was always one of my favorite gifts. Not because I particularly like sweaters a lot or because my favorite color is red—it isn’t.

I loved the red sweater because of how my Grandmother looked at me when I opened it. She would beam with joy. She would come to me, pat my cheek and tell me “how good I looked in red.”

Grandma is gone now. Yet, red sweaters at Christmas still bring a smile and a tear—because I’ll always remember her joy from having picked out the perfect present for me. Indeed, those moments when a simple red sweater—in her eyes—made me my best, are memories I will cherish for life.

In a similar way…

Our Grand Father gave us the most special gift, chosen specifically for us by name, given at the perfect time, so that when putting Him on—He, too, sees only our best. How can we ever say thank you enough for that?

I hope when you see a red sweater this Christmas (and they’re everywhere 🙂), you will also recall the Father’s joy for you in knowing that He gave you the best gift ever.

Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us at Family Policy Alliance!

Sincerely,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

 

The 2019 Family Gala is taking place on Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019 at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. This annual event has been the essential gathering place for like-minded Christian’s throughout New Jersey to re-energize their efforts in building a state where God is honored, religious liberty flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished. Past keynote speakers have included Governor Mike Huckabee and Judge Jeanine Perrio of FOX news. The enthusiasm for this year’s event cannot be greater.

Our guest speaker is Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood director and now national pro-life advocate. Her fascinating journey is the story behind the blockbuster film Unplanned.

Furthermore, the evening festivities will highlight our exciting new ministry model as NJ Family Policy Council has officially become Family Policy Alliance of NJ. This is your opportunity to hear more about our strategic plans for our state and our top legislative priorities.

In addition, you were hear from Paul Weber, president and CEO of the national Family Policy Alliance. Do not miss this encouraging night of delicious food and inspirational speakers.

Make sure to reserve your seat now for a night of blockbuster speakers! Click HERE for more information.

Nehemiah was cup bearer to the king (Neh. 1:11).

This understated description of Nehemiah’s role, found at the end of Chapter 1 in the book that bears his name, sets the stage for an amazing God-given assignment: to rebuild the broken-down wall and the burned-out gates of Jerusalem, which left the Israelites unprotected, exposed and at the mercy of local despots.

Because of his proximity to, and his favor with king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was given permission by the king to leave his service, return to the land of his ancestors and lead the project to rebuild the wall. No doubt, you know the rest of the story of Nehemiah’s wise leadership to rally the downtrodden Israelites to the difficult work. “Each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other” (Neh. 4:17)—to build their assigned section and, at the same time, defend against marauders who would destroy their effort.

To achieve his mission, Nehemiah had to build a first wall. A wall before any stone was ever laid. That first wall… was the people themselves!

Nehemiah understood well that in order for the job to be completed, the people themselves would first need to stand firm against the opposition and take action to restore the wall and their freedom.

Can we draw a parallel to our times today?  Of course, we can.

If we want to restore our nation to one where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished, the people who know their God must stand firm and take action today (Dan. 11:32)!

We must be the first wall!

Unfortunately, cracks in our own wall are evident today. Two recent and personal examples give evidence to this:

First, a ministry partner from a heartland state reached out to us to launch an effective state-based organization to advance family values, stand firm against the progressive agenda and allow the Gospel to be proclaimed. To this end, he wanted to host an informational event in a room at his church and have me come to speak about cultural issues and their impact on the family. When he sought permission, the church administration told us, “We choose not to allow our building to be used for any activity or event that is construed as political.”

When we explained we were only going to speak on the issues found in God’s Word, we received no further response to our request. Instead, we must hold the event at a local restaurant and invite the same people.

In other words, this evangelical church silenced biblical speech on the issues impacting their own people in their own community! This is the same treatment many students face at universities when a conservative is invited to campus to speak on the issues.

A second example has to do with a Christian movie we were promoting across our alliance of now 40+ states. Through a friend, I had the opportunity to connect with a Christian actor from the movie and ask if they would be willing to do a short video to engage our ministry friends about a policy issue tied to what was depicted in the movie—which would have promoted the movie itself even more. Initially, the actor agreed to do it. Yet after several delays and repeated inquiries, the actor finally responded that, “they had a long discussion with their agent” and they “feel it is not in their career’s best interest to be tie[d] to politics.”

Our own wall is in need of repair.

I was recently asked by a friend, “what’s the biggest challenge you face in your role in promoting family values across the nation?”  My response was straightforward: “fear, apathy and lack of biblical understanding in the church.” I can understand the apprehensions that many of us feel when we engage on issues that are misunderstood or even seen as divisive. But as Christ-followers, we are called to do nothing less. We must speak out in grace and truth.

That’s why Family Policy Alliance must unleash biblical citizenship within the church in order to be effective in training and electing Statesmen, engaging in elections nationwide, building a strong state-based alliance and promoting pro-family policy.  We must rebuild the first wall…the wall called the Church in order to rebuild the wall in the law and our culture.

Your continued support helps your Family Policy Alliance and our state-allies to engage their local Christian community with sound biblical Truth on the issues as well as promote biblical ways to stand firm and act. Thank you for allowing us to stand as Nehemiah did…to rally the church to be the first wall.

Standing, as part of the wall, with the family of believers,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers, he instructed them—and us today—in chapter 13 that we are to be in submission to (or subject to) the governing authorities. He continues that “all authority is from God” and “those that exist have been instituted by God” (v. 1). This is certainly difficult to reconcile when those rulers are tyrants – as the Christians in Rome where then subjected to, and as many in the family of Believers endure today around the world.

Paul then explains the purpose for which rulers are established. That is, as “God’s servant for your good” (Rom. 13:4). In other words, political leaders are called to act in service to God—who has all authority—for the good of the people over whom they are placed.

That begs the question: What happens when rulers stop doing good and instead permit or even promote evil?

This is the dilemma many people around the world are confronted with and the same one America’s Founding Fathers had to address. They knew that King George III was not promoting the welfare—or the good—of the people living in the American colonies. In fact, he was ignoring the colonists’ grievances and outright attacking their leaders.

With all options exhausted, the Founders declared America’s independence from England by “let[ting the] Facts be submitted to a candid World.” Stated differently, the Founders declared the rightness of their cause by appealing to the truth written on all men’s hearts. And the very first fact cited in their reasons for separation was “He (King George III) has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.”

Sound familiar? I wonder if the Founders had read Romans 13.  I bet they had.

Americans today have long forgotten the reasons which prompted such a monumental declaration and the sacrifice required during the bloody war for Independence. We have forgotten that Independence is what led to liberty and the establishment of our great nation. Instead, we enjoy the tradition of a nice summer day off from work—perhaps a local parade and a barbeque with friends and family. And, of course, the fireworks, symbolizing the birth pains of a new nation.

May I offer a suggestion to add to our traditions? Perhaps we could begin this Independence Day and every one to follow by reading the Declaration of Independence with our families. Then, in gratitude, remember the men and women who sacrificed so much – including those who gave their lives in order to give us a future grounded in liberty, as well as those who have secured that liberty over the last 243 years.

I hope we also honor our forefathers by advancing an America where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes (as found in the First Amendment of the Constitution), families thrive (liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and life is cherished (all men are endowed by their Creator with life). When we remember the devotion of those who went before us, we are better equipped to continue the efforts to leave a better legacy for those who come after us.

Happy Independence Day!

Standing for the family of believers,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

 

P.S. I want to share a huge note of gratitude to those who helped us meet our fundraising goal for the Family Policy Foundation® Statesmen Academy℠ in July.

Thanks to your generosity we ere able to realize a phenomenal $172,500 fundraising match, fully funding our academy to train and equip Christian lawmakers.

Thank you!!

His heart stops—not a beat detected!  Life ends without a beat.

To be sure, they thrust a spear into our Savior’s side.  It’s Friday.

In the early hours before dawn—undetectable to mankind—His heart beats once. And then again… continuing forever. His promise is eternally fulfilled. It’s Sunday.

From that single beat—death is forever destroyed. From that single beat, Christ-followers have assurance of eternity. From that single beat, Satan is forever defeated.

By that single beat, we are commanded to:

go and make disciples (Mt. 28:19)

teach all Scripture for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16)

not be frightened in anything by our opponents (Phil. 1:28)

How are we doing in getting with the beat?

In recent weeks, heartbeat bills have been passed in several states such as Ohio, Mississippi and Georgia, joining North Dakota, Arkansas and Iowa in advancing life initiatives.  Family Policy allies in over 40 states are protecting life to the fullest extent while also opposing attempts to cheapen life—including infanticide.

The movie Unplanned is surpassing all expectations proving that the pro-life issue resonates with the heartbeat of America.  The beat for life will never die—despite our opponents’ attempts to intimidate us.

Imagine if on that Sunday morning, you could peer into the tomb at the very moment when our Lord’s heart beat anew? The joy and excitement would be overwhelming. Tears flowing with hopeful expectation. It would be like peering into an ultrasound and seeing for the first time, your own child’s heart beating. We can’t wait to show our family the photo of our child in the womb.  Like Christ’s tomb, a mother’s womb should be a place where life is cherished!

Our Lord’s first beat established eternity. His eternal beat results in eternal possibilities for mankind.  That’s why Family Policy Alliance stands for that first beat to the very last beat; for a nation where life is cherished and where the Gospel can be proclaimed freely.

Will you join us in keeping the beat across America?  That deafening beat of “He is Risen” proclaimed from every believer’s beating heart will continue until the Lord’s triumphal return.

Happy Easter to all who keep the beat,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

Family Policy Alliance President & CEO Paul Weber (L) with Jamie Shupe (R)

For decades, LGBT activists have been using political spin to sell their agenda on the American public:

Freedom to marry
Free to love
Sexual freedom
Free to be who you are
Free to choose

 

Freedom. As Christ-followers who truly believe that Jesus came to give abundant life (John 10:10), to set free the captives and the oppressed (Luke 4:18), and to become the only sacrifice to set us free from sin (Romans 6), the most loving thing we can do is to boldly proclaim the truth that any “freedom” offered by the LGBT agenda is a lie. Only Jesus can give real freedom—anything else is bondage.

By now, you’ve probably read Jamie Shupe’s viral story featured by our friends at Daily Signal or Christian Post. He announced his decision to identify as transgender in the New York Times in 2015. In 2017, he made history as the first person to legally be declared “nonbinary.” Now he is trying to regain his life as a man.

I had the privilege of meeting Jamie and his wife this week, and I can say that Jamie and his family experienced anything but freedom.

He now feels used by LGBT activists—so much so that his physical health, mental health, and his family have been sacrificed on the altar of a political agenda.

Jamie’s body has taken a toll. He has serious problems with bone density—a very common side effect to prolonged use of cross-sex hormones. He also has problems with his kidneys, veins in his legs, and permanent unwanted breast growth.

Yet, LGBT political activists keep pushing for “gender transition” to be the only option for any person struggling with a gender identity mental health issue.

At every level of Jamie’s care, the only options presented to him were related to gender transition—with doctors and nurses too scared to provide alternatives. As Jamie puts it, “laws have to make sure [medical professionals] aren’t scared or punished for asking the right questions.”

He’s exactly right. This is why Family Policy Alliance, our allied legislators, and our state-based family policy allies all advocate for medical care that ensures medical professionals can continue to provide quality care and professional judgment without being hindered by any political agenda.

Jamie’s mental health has suffered. Jamie is a U.S. Army veteran who suffers from PTSD, as well as several other mental health conditions.

Yet, Jamie’s other mental health conditions were ignored while his politicized medical care forced him into a “gender transition” spiral.

And this is exactly what LGBT activists want. Activists have introduced bills in over half the states to ban freedom in counseling—requiring licensed therapists to only counsel children toward same-sex attraction and gender transition. These bills would ban any therapy that would help children with unwanted same-sex attraction or guide them toward healthy lives as the sex their bodies were designed to be.

Family Policy Alliance and our allies have successfully stopped these bills in many states—but sadly, some states have already passed them into law leaving no options for parents and children.

Jamie’s family has suffered. Jamie and his wife have been married for over 30 years, and they have a daughter together. Jamie says that being married to a woman and having a daughter reminded him at every turn that he could not really “become” a woman. His family has walked this journey with him, but it has not been an easy one.

Families are being torn apart by the LGBT agenda—with some parents even losing custody of their children at the hands of the government because they refused to sign off on their children’s life-altering “gender transition” hormones.

Family devastation is a high price to pay for the promise of false “freedom.”

Jamie worries about the impact on children. Even while experiencing “gender transition” as an adult, he confessed he worried the whole time about children following his example.

And he’s right to worry. LGBT activists continue to push for their propaganda to be included in school curriculum, exposing children at younger and younger ages so that they question whether they are “boys in a girl body.”

They also advocate for children to be able to consent to their own medical care—to include “gender transition.” This cuts parents out of their role as the protectors of their children.

As Jamie told us, “as hard as it is to say ‘no,’ parents have to protect their child from himself or herself.”

This is why Family Policy Alliance and our allies advocate for policies that honor the role of parents in children’s lives, educational choice for families, and the right of parents to remove children from harmful curriculum.

When we debate the LGBT activists in D.C. or state capitols across the country—and when we invite you to participate by contacting your lawmakers or using the power of your vote—it can be hard to remember that there are real victims of the LGBT agenda. Jamie Shupe is a powerful reminder.

And that is why we refuse to be swayed by the lie that the LGBT agenda is one of “freedom.” The human and family cost are too great to not boldly speak the truth as believers who are called to be Light in darkness.

So, we invite you to be bold with us. When we, or our state allies, alert you to a dangerous LGBT bill in D.C. or your state, please join us in taking action. There are several active alerts right now—check to see if there’s one in your state or at the federal level. Invite your small group or church to take action too—we need believers speaking out!

And, if you’d like to send a note of prayer or encouragement to Jamie Shupe and his family, you can do that HERE.

SEND A NOTE TO JAMIE

 

For true Freedom,


Paul Weber,
President & CEO

By Paul Weber – President and CEO

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

I recently reread a book called The Blueprint, written by journalist Adam Schrager and former Colorado legislator Rob Witwer—a book about how a small group of wealthy progressive, gay activists took over the Colorado legislature and the Governor’s mansion and turned a reliably conservative state into a progressive liberal one in four years.

You have to admire the determination of this very small group of people who dedicated huge personal sums and business acumen to overwhelm their opponents—the pro-family, conservative candidates where voter registration was largely in their favor.

How did they do it?

To quote one of the organizing activists; the openly gay, current Governor of Colorado Jared Polis, “It’s simple, you approach it with a business mentality.” His fellow activist, Tim Gill, who is actively expanding the strategy to other states said, “… when others are timid [that would be how he refers to pro-family, conservatives] be bold… I’ve decided to be bold.”

Family Policy Alliance® spun out of Focus on the Family five years ago to advance our own blueprint. We’ve put together this video to show how together—by God’s grace—we will stand firm and take action (Dan. 11:32).

In a short time, we are seeing results. But we need your help today to counter the big money pouring in to progressive coffers.  Won’t you join us?

Please support Family Policy Alliance today so together, we can reclaim tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Paul Weber
President and CEO

On behalf of Family Policy Alliance, the alliance of men and women working in state capitals across the nation and in Washington, DC. and the Statesmen you helped train and elect, I want to thank you for your very generous prayers, support and time throughout 2018 to advance family values in our nation.

Your generous support—especially in the days leading up to the New Year—will enable Family Policy Alliance to:

Thank you again for joining with us in our unwavering commitment to a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished!

Standing for the family,

Paul Weber
President & CEO

Our theme verse at Family Policy Alliance® is from the book of Daniel (11:32): “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”

It’s amazing what happens when we faithfully do that. Sometimes the results are very encouraging – even in the midst of chaos around us.

In fact, that aptly describes this month’s election. The pundits had predicted all along that it would be a bad year – maybe even a disaster – for those of us who care about life, family, and religious freedom.

But with your help – and with that verse from Daniel on our lips – Family Policy Alliance stood firm and took strategic action on key races where voter data and on-the-ground reports indicated that we could have an impact.  You helped make possible more than a million communications with voters in those targeted races!

And the results were encouraging. On a night that brought lots of sobering news, Family Policy Alliance won nearly two-thirds of targeted races. Since most of those were state-level races that don’t get as much attention, let me share a few highlights of how your support for Family Policy Alliance paid dividends.

Electing Statesmen

As you may know, our sister organization, Family Policy Foundation®, trains on-the-rise Christian legislators and candidates at the annual Statesmen Academy®. Some of those Statesmen alumni need help winning difficult elections.

This year, we provided assistance – ranging from mailers to digital ads to phone calls – in 17 key Statesmen races. Thankfully, we won 14 of those races. That’s an 82 percent win rate!

Of course, many Statesmen didn’t need our help and won their elections. So all combined, more than 50 trained Statesmen alums will be serving in key elected positions in January!

Big Wins in the States

But your support also allowed us to invest in other key state-level races. For example, you may have heard about the very tight race for governor in Georgia. Democrat Stacey Abrams received massive support from Hollywood for her ultra-progressive agenda. Her victory would not only have meant bad news for the people of Georgia, but it would have been a big national win for the pro-abortion and anti-religious freedom agendas.

Family Policy Alliance of Georgia® jumped in early during a primary runoff – helping conservative Brian Kemp when he still badly trailed the moderate Republican. After he won the primary, we continued our support – helping him pull out a come-from-behind victory, avoiding a runoff by just two-tenths of a percent!

Your support also helped pave the way for a host of strategic wins in a number of other states. That means pro-family champions will be headed to state capitols in Bismarck, Boise, Columbia, Santa Fe, St. Paul, Topeka and more.

Surprising Beauty in Ashes

In some cases, what the media may have reported as good news for the Left actually had a surprising twist. For example, despite Family Policy Alliance of Kansas® winning 9 of 15 races, the overall media narrative was that Republicans had big losses in the state House.

But a closer look shows that 15 of the 18 Republicans who lost their House seats had voted against the Adoption Protection Act. That was the FPA-supported legislation that was the biggest religious freedom victory in the country this year. So much for the idea that pro-family, pro-life and pro-freedom laws are bad politics!

Improving the U.S. Senate

You also helped us engage in several U.S. Senate races – most notably in North Dakota, where Family Policy Alliance’s on-the-ground presence made our work especially strategic.

Family Policy Alliance of North Dakota® identified 35,000 pro-life North Dakotans who are inconsistent about getting to the polls, especially in non-presidential years. They reached those voters with live phone calls from volunteers, with mailers, and with targeted digital ads that featured a strong video exposing the radical pro-abortion record of the incumbent senator, Heidi Heitkamp.

The result was a resounding win for Kevin Cramer, who previously served on the board of the organization that became Family Policy Alliance of North Dakota. Pro-lifers around the nation will benefit from having a new pro-life champion in the U.S. Senate!

Facing Attacks and Tough Challenges Head On

Naturally, those engaged in this arena will face strong opposition. For example, Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico was directly attacked by the Democratic Party of New Mexico and labeled “Far-Right Social Crusaders.” The reasons they gave? We support protecting the religious freedom of adoption agencies, and we oppose drag queen storytimes for children in libraries.

But we turned these attacks into victories by publishing these statements. As a result, we received an outpouring of support from Christian Democrats who publicly rebuked their own state party for attacking our organization and Christian values.

Of course, we know that there will be plenty of challenges in this coming year – in Washington, D.C., and in many state capitols. But we know that, just as with this year’s election, our job as the people of God is to “stand firm and take action.”

It was for such a time as this that Focus on the Family allowed Family Policy Alliance to spin off as an independent organization – to be able to grow and to more effectively take action. Will you continue to stand with us – or join us for the first time – as we move into 2019?

After all, as this election showed, good things happen when we stand firm and take action.