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Dear friends, it's Advent!

Sometimes this time of year can feel dark, cold, and long - even with Christmas approaching. But God calls us to give thanks even in the midst of trials and seasons of what seems like endless waiting. 

So that’s what we’re doing this Advent season, though the tide appears to be turning. With mounting optimism, I’m giving thanks for you, our faithful supporters, partners, prayer warriors and friends. You make this possible. Without you, MFC wouldn’t exist, or it would be a part-time volunteer effort instead of our state’s largest Christian group fighting for life, family, and religious freedom.

Will you prayerfully consider a year-end gift of $25, $50, $100 or even more, as God leads, to support the ambitious plan of action I’ll outline below?

Do you remember where you were on 9/11/01? Everyone over 30 seems to have a “when I heard the news” story. What makes it one of my most enduring memories, is the way it galvanized and united the nation. 

The overwhelming loss of life and the astonishing images of skyscrapers falling shook America. It drove atheists and twice-a-year churchgoers to their knees in prayer, filling sanctuaries on a Tuesday night. Later, at least for a while, it provoked an unprecedented rise in patriotism, resiliency and unity. 

I can’t help but wonder if that kind of unity and resiliency could be possible again – not in response to acts of terrorism and waning over time, but a sustained response to an everyday tragedy that has taken millions of lives. Of course I’m talking about abortion. An estimated 63 million lives have been lost to abortion in the U.S. in the 48 years since Roe v. Wade. But at the same time, the pro-life message is gaining traction at the grassroots and at the Supreme Court like we've never seen before. 

We are committed to moving the ball forward in the Minnesota legislature and, as I explained last month, taking concrete steps to effect outcomes in the courts. And we need your help!

God is on the move and we will do all in our power to make sure we’re ready for whatever comes next. Here’s just a peak of what we’re looking forward to:

On December 1^st I (John) participated in a national strategy session facilitated by our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom to consider next steps in the fight to end abortion. We will have a master plan for what comes next so that we are prepared to take advantage of every opportunity we’re given to protect life. 

A pro-life sweep in Virginia, a 12-point shift in New Jersey and the encouraging oral arguments in the Dobbs v. Jackson case at the Supreme Court are encouraging signs, and we believe that similar results are possible next year right here in Minnesota. We have a golden opportunity to hold our pro-life majority in the Minnesota Senate while gaining majorities in the MN House and electing a pro-life, pro-family governor. 

Imagine family policy councils like us in other states telling their supporters about the miracle of Minnesota as a way of motivating them for their own electoral battles! 

It is certainly within reach, and we are already at work to make that dream a reality. On December 15 we hosted the inaugural Minnesota Leadership Forum, a conversation among the leading candidates vying for the Republican nomination for governor, moderated by award-winning conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt. It was an amazing opportunity to compare the candidates’ positions on life (and other important issues) - in addition to the sold-out crowd, the video has been viewed almost 30,000 times! Minnesotans are hungry for change in the Governor's office!

In January we will work hard to get pro-life voters out to precinct caucuses in February. These caucuses are a little-known but very important part of the nomination process, and we want not only to get the right people in the room but also to equip them for what they will experience there. 

That’s just the beginning! With God’s grace we will see some historic wins next year.

In this season of waiting and preparation (Advent), I hope you are looking for the opportunities that exist right now to overturn Roe and win a pro-life majority top to bottom in Minnesota. And I hope you trust us to be a major factor in the victories that I believe are coming soon. Rest assured that we are thankful for you, and we trust the Lord to provide through partners like you to make all this possible.

As we near the end of the year, and look to the opportunities ahead, please prayerfully consider a generous tax-deductible year-end gift to Minnesota Family Institute or non-deductible gift to Minnesota Family Council. 

Your year-end gift of $25, $50, $100, or whatever the Lord leads you to contribute, will help us implement our bold vision for a post-Roe world and pro-life Minnesota in 2022! Thank you in advance for your dedicated partnership.