“Your rights are suspended” ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Ways to Get Involved

Dear John,

Last week, we wrote to you about the urgent need to help churches during this time of crisis. I’m forwarding that message to you to make sure you didn’t miss it.

As I write to you today, the need is weighing even more heavily on my heart.

Hundreds of churches have reached out to the ADF Church Alliance looking for help.

The demand for legal support for churches is higher than it’s ever been. The church needs you now, John.

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Across the nation, churches have cooperated with federal, state, and local governments in working to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

But some churches are facing local orders that go too far. Some regulations could prevent churches from livestreaming their services, and some ban drive-in church services altogether.

That’s what happened in Greenville, Mississippi.

Despite churches being named an essential service in Mississippi, the City of Greenville issued an order banning drive-in church services in the city. During Holy Week, eight uniformed police officers showed up at a drive-in service at Temple Baptist Church in Greenville. They issued $500 tickets per person for violating the City’s ban.

That same week, police officers shut down another drive-in church service in Greenville. When the pastor protested, citing his constitutional rights, an officer responded with, “your rights are suspended.”

Protecting public health is a huge concern right now. And most government officials are trying their best to handle a difficult situation.

But in places like Greenville, you can be in your car with the windows rolled down at a Sonic drive-in restaurant, but you can’t be in your car with the windows rolled up at a drive-in church service.

That makes no sense, John! And it’s unconstitutional.

ADF has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Temple Baptist Church.

But Mississippi isn’t the only state where we are seeing this government abuse of power to target churches. ADF is also looking into other matters across the country as well.

Today, you can help protect churches from becoming victims of government overreach.

You can provide churches with the legal ally they need by helping sponsor a church membership in the ADF Church Alliance.

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Watching God work through your gifts is always inspiring, John. But lately, it’s been extra special to see how God is using you to help protect the freedom of so many churches to share the good news of the Gospel.

Without your prayers and financial support, this work isn’t possible.

Please act now to protect churches from government overreach during these challenging times.

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Because what affects the Church affects YOU.

Warmly,

Kristen K. Waggoner

Senior Vice President of U.S. Legal Division & Communications

Alliance Defending Freedom





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Sent: 4/14/2020

From: Alliance Defending Freedom

Subject: She knew she had to make a stand





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Help sponsor a church in need with your gift today!

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Dear John,

The last few weeks have likely brought drastic changes to your way of life. How you work. Who you see. What you do with your free time.

And where you worship.

Across the nation, churches have cooperated with federal, state, and local governments in working to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This means abiding by new rules that prevent gatherings of people.

We are in uncharted territory, John. Can you remember another time when your church was not allowed to meet in person?

Thankfully, many churches have been able to adapt quickly and creatively to protect the physical and spiritual health of their congregations.

But there are concerns that some government officials will overstep their authority.

And there is a good reason to be concerned.



Right now, people need the hope of God’s Word more than ever. You can empower churches today with the legal protection and preparation they need from the ADF Church Alliance so they can serve confidently during these unprecedented times.

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DONATE

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Some are taking advantage of this time of crisis to bully churches

In America, the government doesn’t control the church. The First Amendment makes that clear.

In these challenging times, churches should be free to focus on shepherding their congregations, helping their communities, and serving those in need. Just as they always do.

But some government officials are taking advantage of the current crisis to bully churches and threaten the free exercise of religion.



In one Indiana county, local officials ordered churches to close but allowed non-religious entities to remain open.



The Governor of Washington issued a stay-at-home order so broad and ambiguous that it could be interpreted to prevent a pastor and a small team of assistants from leaving their homes to record an online church service.



Members of a small pro-life ministry in Greensboro, North Carolina were arrested for allegedly violating the mayor’s coronavirus edict after praying outside of an abortion facility. But the group took special care to obey the rules about social distancing and did nothing wrong.


After Greenville, Mississippi banned drive-in church services, eight uniformed police officers showed up to a Wednesday night drive-in service at Temple Baptist Church. They issued $500 tickets to church members in attendance who were listening to the pastor’s sermon from the safety of their own cars!

Since the temporary restrictions due to the coronavirus began, Alliance Defending Freedom has received hundreds of calls from churches. Pastors are concerned about the future of their churches and the rise of government overreach.

How far is too far?

How long is too long to prevent God’s people from coming together to worship?

What can churches do to protect themselves?

John, our churches want to be prepared right now—and in the future. That’s what the ADF Church Alliance was designed to do.

The ADF Church Alliance provides legal help to churches so they can freely live and preach the Gospel in their communities without fear of government punishment.

But some churches are facing great financial strain in the midst of our current crisis.

You can help sponsor a church membership in the ADF Church Alliance right now. Your gift will ensure churches are equipped and empowered with the knowledge of their constitutional rights.

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You can help protect churches from becoming victims of government overreach

Weeks ago, as the reality of a nationwide shutdown set in, and governors started limiting public gatherings and issuing stay at home orders, many churches were unsure of what to do.

They needed help navigating the new rules and regulations. Many called the ADF Church Alliance for help.

And they’re still calling.

We’re hearing from hundreds of churches.

Thankfully, the ADF Church Alliance is equipped to support the increasing legal needs of churches across the U.S.

Because right now it is not a question of if churches and their congregations will be threatened – the question is when and where such cases will arise.

Even before the coronavirus, we were seeing incidents where the government was trying to control what churches teach, where they worship, or how they exercise their religious freedom. That is government abuse of power—and it’s unconstitutional.

Now, the demand for legal support for churches is at an all-time high.

That’s why the church needs you, John.

Will you help sponsor a church membership in the ADF Church Alliance with your gift today?

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More than 2,000 churches and religious ministries are already protected. You can help even more.

John, the effect of this pandemic on our churches is unprecedented.

But you can help protect churches from becoming victims of government overreach.

Right now, you can provide churches with the legal ally they need by helping sponsor a church membership in the ADF Church Alliance.

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Our churches should not have to spend time worrying about the ever-changing legal and cultural landscape. They should be free to focus on spreading the good news of the Gospel, reaching the lost, and serving their communities.

In some cases, membership in the ADF Church Alliance costs as little as $250 a year. Think of what your gift can help accomplish for a church in need, John!

ADF was founded to keep the doors open for the Gospel. And the ADF Church Alliance stands ready to go to battle on behalf of churches and religious ministries when their freedom is threatened.

But we can’t do it without your help.

Year after year, we’ve seen God’s blessing when Christians stand together to defend religious freedom. And we’re trusting God to move in the hearts of people like you right now to help meet the needs of churches nationwide. Because what affects the church affects YOU.

Please act now to protect churches from government overreach during these challenging times.

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It’s not just their freedom on the line—it’s yours too.

Thank you for giving generously.



YES, I WANT TO HELP PROTECT THE CHURCH!

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© 2020 Alliance Defending Freedom

15100 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.


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