Dear John,

I hope this email finds you strengthened in faith and purpose as we continue our vital work advancing the cause of life, family, and religious freedom. Your ongoing support makes all of this possible, and we hope this update encourages you!

Our state government is discriminating against Christians, but thanks to your continued partnership, we’re using our legal expertise to set a powerful precedent that will safeguard every Minnesotan’s First Amendment rights.

I'm thrilled to share a significant update regarding Schmitt v. Rebertus, a landmark case that strikes at the heart of how government agencies are weaponizing "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) policies to suppress Christian viewpoints. For over a decade, our client, Tony Schmitt, led the Quest for Authentic Manhood program at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility. This voluntary rehabilitation program has transformed the lives of hundreds of inmates through Bible-based teaching on manhood, responsibility, and redemption. But in an egregious act of religious discrimination, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) abruptly canceled the program in 2023, citing in a letter to our client that the program’s "biblical lens" on manhood conflicts with the Department's DEI values. True North Legal, in partnership with Upper Midwest Law Center, brought a lawsuit on behalf of Tony Schmitt, claiming that the Department’s actions violated his First Amendment rights.

Recently, I took the deposition of the DOC official who recommended termination of the Quest program. What unfolded was a pivotal moment for our case and for religious freedom in general.

During the deposition, I quoted passages of Scripture that explain the Christian view of marriage and homosexuality. Under my questioning, the official testified that those biblical teachings conflict with the Department’s DEI values and admitted that she recommended termination of the Quest program because it included those teachings. Stunningly, she also admitted that she changed the cover photo on one of her social media profiles to portray a rainbow-colored “pride” image just one day before she paused the Quest program. These admissions lay bare the Department's hostility toward core Christian teachings, providing irrefutable evidence of targeted religious discrimination that violates the First Amendment.

This case is far more than a fight for one, consequential prison ministry. In an era where DEI mandates permeate government and demand conformity to leftist secular ideals, this case is a frontline battle to protect the ability of believers to serve and shine the light of Christ in prisons, schools, and the community without fear of ideological purge. These deposition breakthroughs bring us closer to a final victory that will set a powerful precedent for religious liberty. We remain prayerfully optimistic as we continue to litigate the case. 

Thank you for standing with us,

P.S. Through our legal expertise, we’ve uncovered the religious discrimination of bureaucrats at the MN Department of Corrections. We won’t rest until every Minnesotan’s First Amendment right is upheld. We’ve made significant breakthroughs, but we need your continued support to secure the final victory for religious freedom in this case. Your gift today is DOUBLED thanks to generous donors ($200 = $400, and so on).