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Dear John,
Throughout American history, there have been moments that shook the nation. We have reached another one of those moments.
Lawlessness, violence, and bloodshed have become so frequent in American life that very little shocks our collective conscience -- from school shootings to random, unprovoked acts of murder on public transportation. Now there are even some who openly celebrate the murder of their ideological opponents.
Scripture is clear: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20).
After the horrific events of last week, believers are confronted with two questions: how did we get here and what is the way forward?
The answer to the first question is clear: when any nation abandons its reliance on the truth of God's Word, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ -- the light of the world -- the only alternative is to live in the darkness.
In recent days, we have been given several glimpses of what America will become if we do not return to our Christian foundation.
This might be news to some, but not to us at FRC. We've been tracking the rise of religious hostility in the U.S. for the last several years. In fact, we recently released the latest edition of the "Hostility Against Churches Report," which documents the alarming rise in violence against Christians in America.
This report now comes at a sobering moment. In 2024 alone, we found over 400 instances of hostility toward churches -- numbers that echoed our findings from 2023.
Hundreds of media outlets covered the report, and it also drew the attention of policymakers around the country.
John, while believers in America have been largely spared from the persecution faced by Christians around the world, it is now here and we must be prepared to stand courageously in the face of growing threats.
This is where the rubber meets the road in the kingdom of God -- and it is not easy.
Nevertheless, we must live without fear, and at the same time, with real compassion for the lost.
So, where do we go from here?
The answer depends on how believers will respond in this moment.
It is time for the church in America to awaken and lead the way back to truth and righteousness.
That's why Family Research Council is equipping believers with the resources they need to boldly defend the truth and stand on the Word of God.
Our Stand on the Word Bible reading plan resources and Center for Biblical Worldview publications equip believers not only to live in accordance with God's Word, but also to defend the truth in the public square.
Together, we can help the church fulfill its mission; to serve as salt and light in a world of darkness. Now is the time for believers to push back against the tide of evil that has swept over America.
Will you stand with FRC and expand our reach into churches, hearts, and homes across the nation?
I WILL STAND
John, the challenges before us are real. From violent attacks on churches to the increasing hostility toward biblical truth and those who boldly proclaim it; it is clear that the cultural winds are blowing against those who choose to stand for Christ.
But while the hostility toward our faith is undeniable, the faithfulness of our God is even greater. No law, no cultural trend, and no act of violence can silence the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you stand firm in your sphere of influence, know that you are not standing alone.
Together, as the body of Christ, we are strengthened to speak truth with kindness, to love our neighbors and even our enemies with courage (Matt 5:44), and to remain steadfast in the hope that cannot be shaken.
Let us press on with confidence, knowing that "...he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
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