Be encouraged, John. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Ways to Get Involved

Dear John,

The 2020 class of the Blackstone Legal Fellowship has a challenging path ahead.

We are living in a pivotal time in American history. There are those who seek to dismantle the very foundation of our great nation. They reject freedom, true equality, and self-government.

These opponents of freedom stand in stark contrast to the 156 law students I had the pleasure of meeting over the course of the summer.

This year’s Blackstone class was incredibly accomplished. But their collective character was even more impressive.

These young people are driven by a deep desire to defend your right to freely live out your faith without fear of government punishment. They want to protect your freedom to raise your children and grandchildren as you see fit, so the Gospel can flourish from generation to generation.

That’s why, as I stood to address the 2020 class at the Blackstone closing banquet last month, I felt encouraged.

The students who attend Blackstone often talk about how much the program means to them—how they return to law school after Blackstone feeling reenergized in their passions and fully equipped to carry on the mission God called them to.

But what these young people don’t always realize is that they are the encouragement that so many of us need in these challenging times.

These students are the future leaders who will challenge America to do better by being better.

There is no doubt that America started with an aspirational dream of liberty in a land filled with difficulties and flaws. America wasn’t perfect then—and it’s not perfect now. And we absolutely must strive to improve.

But improvement does not come from denying our history, denouncing our progress, and declaring all remaining flaws to be fatal as so many are doing today. Improvement comes from living up to the ideals of our founding.

When the Founders made the decision to declare independence, three fundamental principles were to be at the center of the new nation.

All men are created equal.



We are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights.



Just governments are based on the consent of the governed.

These principles were not where we were. It was a description of where we were going. They were the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of a new nation.

When I think of America’s future, it’s clear to me that these Blackstone graduates are where we are going. They are our future. They are your future.

Through Blackstone, these future leaders are equipped to stand for Truth in today’s hostile law school environment and develop the tools they need to impact the culture and legal system for good. They discover that there is a place for them in the halls of government, at the helm of corporations and prestigious law firms, and in positions of influence in their communities—places where they can make a real difference.

And that’s because of people like you.

As you read through the email and report that I’ve forwarded you below, you’ll see some of the great accomplishments people like you have made possible. And it’s why I am so grateful that people like you continue to support this important program.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to watch hundreds of impressive young people graduate Blackstone and go on to careers transforming the legal system and culture. They’ve become friends, allies, and even colleagues.

Some have returned to Alliance Defending Freedom to advocate for religious liberty, free speech, the sanctity of life, and marriage and the family. Praise God!

I know that this year’s class will continue this standard of excellence.

And as I look at the state of our world right now, it is clear that the time has come for a strong defense of the legitimacy of our founding ideals.

It’s time to champion the Gospel message. To champion the Constitution. And to champion the guarantee of our God-given rights and the promise of freedom here in America.

I strongly believe that Blackstone graduates will be the ones helping to lead the charge.

That’s why I hope you will be encouraged knowing that your gifts to support Blackstone not only have the potential to change lives—but to change the course of America’s future.

This year we had 156 future leaders participate in the program. Next year, we could have our largest class ever.

But our resources only go so far. We spend nearly $25,000 for each student who participates in the program.

Each year we have more highly qualified applicants for Blackstone than we have space for. Each year we have to turn away dozens of impressive young people who want to be trained and equipped to fight and win for your freedom.

That’s why I’m asking for your help today.

You can see that there is an immense opportunity to grow the Blackstone program. But that growth is wholly dependent on God’s provision (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and support.

If you care deeply about the current battles in this country and want to preserve America’s legacy of freedom for your children and grandchildren, please consider making a tax-deductible gift today to help grow this important program, John.

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Generous ADF Ministry Friends have donated a $250,000 grant to match your gift to support the Blackstone Legal Fellowship dollar for dollar. That means your gift today will be doubled—a $10 gift will become $20, a $100 gift will become $200, and a $1,000 gift will become $2,000.

But the match won’t last forever.

Please take advantage of this rare opportunity to double your tax-deductible gift right now. Because of the blessing of the match, your gift will have twice the impact to support the next generation of Christian leaders.

Thank you for your generosity.

With gratitude,


Michael Farris

President & CEO

Alliance Defending Freedom



DONATE NOW

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Your gift will be doubled!

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Sent: 8/22/2020

From: Alliance Defending Freedom

Subject: Quick update



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These incredible law students are being equipped to fight and WIN for freedom—praise God!





Dear John,

This summer, 156 of the best and brightest law students in the United States came together for the 2020 Blackstone Legal Fellowship.

These young people are highly accomplished—almost half of the class came from the top 14 law schools in the country.

But Blackstone offers something these students can’t get at even the best law schools: a place where they are encouraged, equipped, and connected with like-minded peers and accomplished professionals.

Law school can be an incredibly challenging environment for people of faith, John. The students who stand firm in their faith can face rejection and hostility from faculty, administrators, and even their peers. They feel alone, outnumbered, and overwhelmed.

But time after time, these students graduate from Blackstone feeling reenergized in their passions and fully equipped to carry on the mission to keep the doors open for the Gospel.

God is using people like you to provide the education, training, and fellowship these young people so desperately need. And we are so grateful, John.

For a more detailed look at the impact of Blackstone, please click here.

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We are excited to see what the Lord will accomplish through the 2020 Blackstone Legal Fellowship class.

And we are already in the planning stages for next year’s program!

Right now, there is a huge opportunity to train even more future leaders to fight and WIN for freedom.

Each year we receive more highly qualified applicants than we have space for—just this year we were forced to turn away hundreds of applicants, including nearly 70 that we would have accepted if we had the capacity. In addition, each year we get more requests than we can fill from prominent legal organizations looking to get interns from Blackstone.

You can see there is a lot of room to grow the Blackstone program. But that growth is wholly dependent on God’s provision (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and support, John.

Would you consider helping with a tax-deductible gift today to support Blackstone?

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Right now, a limited-time matching grant will double your gift up to $250,000!

Every dollar makes a difference in training the next generation of Christian leaders. It costs around $25,000 to fund the entire Blackstone experience and resources for just one student. And there is no financial burden on the students who are chosen to participate. That’s why we need your help.

Blackstone graduates are already making an impact in the halls of government, at the helm of corporations and prestigious law firms, and in positions of influence in their communities. Just imagine what God can do in the years to come through your prayers and gifts!

Thank you again for your support, John.

Your generosity shows these talented young people that they are not alone, and helps ensure your freedoms always have a strong legal defense.



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Your tax-deductible gift will be doubled!

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