Dear John,
Law school can be a lonely place for people of faith.
This was true when I was a law student in the 1970s—and it’s true now.
I’ve experienced the hostility directed at conservative and Christian law students. I’ve listened to some of the top law professors in the country attack the values that you and I hold dear. And I’ve heard countless stories from some of today’s students about the intolerance they face on campus.
Times haven’t changed much, John. If anything, they’ve gotten worse.
That’s why I’m so grateful that the Blackstone Legal Fellowship exists today. |
|
|
|
A vital defense for your freedom
In 1999, I sketched out the vision for Blackstone on a napkin. It was all I had at the time.
Thanks be to God, that simple note on a napkin has become the nation’s only lifelong leadership development program for Christian law students.
Shaping our legal system starts in the classroom—not the courtroom. If freedom is going to be protected for future generations, we must equip the next generation of law students to continue the fight.
That’s what the Blackstone Legal Fellowship is designed to do.
This leadership training program brings together exceptional Christian law students and prepares them for careers marked by integrity and excellence. And it gives these students the education and tools they need to defend your constitutional freedoms.
In its 20 years of existence, Blackstone has trained some of the brightest minds. Many come from top law schools, and many go on to get competitive jobs clerking for federal judges. But most importantly, these law students share your love for our God-given freedoms, John.
They know if we don’t defend and protect our freedoms today—we could lose them. But we need your help to continue this important program.
|
|
|
|
An investment in Blackstone is an investment in your freedom
One of my life’s greatest joys has been to watch Blackstone flourish into the program it is today. That’s why I’m so grateful to you for supporting this important program with your financial gifts over the years, John.
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, life, and marriage and the family. Praise God!
One of those people is my friend, ADF Senior Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. When Jon was a student at Harvard Law School, it wasn’t always easy to find scholarship about faith and the law. That all changed when he attended the Blackstone Legal Fellowship.
“It was great to see theology applied to law—and to even know an organization existed that thought about that,” says Jon. “That made me want to be affiliated with ADF."
Jon earned his J.D. in 2006 and joined ADF as a law clerk shortly after that. Now, thirteen years later, he serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Conscience Initiatives.
“I love our conscience cases, love the clients that we meet—often people my age or younger, just trying to live out their faith in their business,” says Jon.
Jon is lead counsel for Brush & Nib v. City of Phoenix, which features two artists who specialize in creating custom artwork celebrating weddings and other events. He is on the frontlines defending their freedom—and yours.
But Jon’s story would have been very different without you, John. Because without God’s blessing (John 15:5) and your generosity, the Blackstone Legal Fellowship wouldn’t exist.
And without Blackstone, Jon and more than 2,100 other Blackstone graduates wouldn’t have the skills and knowledge they need to protect your freedoms—and that of your children and grandchildren.
Will you give today and help ensure this program continues? |
|
|
|
A matching grant will double your impact
For years, those who oppose the Gospel and religious freedom have used law schools to train leaders to advance attacks on faith, life, marriage, and family.
But through your gifts to the Blackstone Legal Fellowship, we’re shifting law and culture—one law student at a time.
Together, we’ve made tremendous progress, but the victories are not won by our own strength. The victories have come through our reliance on Him (John 15:5), and the determination He gives us to persevere.
When God gives you a vision, He will see it through—even if it’s written on a napkin.
John, it is only with God’s blessing and your continued financial support that we can train the next generation of Christian attorneys to use their legal talents for good, and to fight and win for freedom.
Just last month, the Blackstone class of 2019 began their journey. The top Christian law students in the country arrived in Washington, D.C. and began their Blackstone training. Along with this education, they spend six weeks interning in top law firms, non-profit organizations, and government agencies across the U.S. This gives them the skills and knowledge they need to protect your freedoms.
You may not be a lawyer, John, but your role in the fight to defend freedom is just as important. Today, you can support the Blackstone Legal Fellowship and help ensure a future of religious freedom in America—for your children and grandchildren.
And thanks to the blessing of a special limited-time $50,000 matching grant, any gift you give will be doubled—a $10 gift will become $20, a $100 gift will become $200, and $1,000 will become $2,000.
Thank you for giving generously to preserve freedom for your children and grandchildren. |
|
|
|
Yours for religious freedom,
Alan E. Sears
Founder
Alliance Defending Freedom |
|
|
|
|
