Dear John,

Each year as December begins, I try to avoid getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.

Instead, I like to pause and reflect on the past year to see God’s provision and to look ahead for what He has promised.

Throughout this year, we’ve seen God’s hand at work. Because of your support and His favor, we’ve won for faith all year long including a huge victory for our Navy SEALs.

Now as we look forward to 2025, I can tell you that First Liberty is well positioned on the frontlines in the fight for faith. We have incredible clients standing for their faith and the most talented group of attorneys we’ve ever had.

Double the Impact of Your Calendar Year End Gift
$500,000 Matching Grant Makes Your Gift Go Even Farther

For one of those clients, Fire Chief Ron Hittle, things are really heating up.

Ron was a dedicated first responder for almost 25 years. When he attended a world class leadership conference with a few of his team members, he was fired.

His crime? The conference was held at a church.

City leaders asked Ron to hone his leadership skills, and he chose the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, a stellar leadership seminar featuring a diverse line up of religious and non-religious speakers, business leaders, coaches, authors and successful entrepreneurs.

But he was told it was unacceptable for him to attend a religiously affiliated seminar. His superiors opened a months-long investigation, mocked his beliefs, and eventually fired him.

It’s really rare that an employer is bold enough to tell you that they are firing you for your faith, but that’s just what Stockton’s leaders did.

That’s not only wrong. It’s illegal.

Chief Hittle has been fighting through the federal courts for more than 10 years. Despite facing numerous setbacks, this Fire Chief isn’t giving up. And neither is First Liberty.

That’s why we're asking the Supreme Court to take up Ron’s case and to make it clear that cities like Stockton can’t fire employees because of their religious beliefs or practices.

For more on the Faith Under Faith case, watch this interview with Fire Chief Ron Hittle and First Liberty attorney David Hacker.

This case isn’t just about one firefighter. It impacts the rights of every person in the workplace. A win for Ron could be a win that protects millions of Americans.

Federal law protects the rights of every American to live and work without the fear of being fired simply because of their beliefs.

But to win, First Liberty and Chief Hittle need your ongoing support. Fighting a Supreme Court case requires tremendous resources, and we need to replenish our arsenal for the next and perhaps the most important phase of this legal battle.

Will you join First Liberty on the frontlines in the fight for faith?

If you are ready to make your calendar year end gift, we are excited to announce for the first time a $500,0000 Matching Grant. This means that every dollar you donate will double the impact of your gift to First Liberty.

Thank you for your continued support in the fight for faith, family and freedom.

Together, we can secure the future of religious freedom in the workplace for our children and grandchildren.

Grateful for you, 

Kelly

Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute