4.10.2007

ADF Lawsuit Opens Closed Doors for Church Easter Service in New York...
On Sunday, millions of believers around the world gathered in their churches to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But for Relevant Church in Watertown, New York, its members were literally going to be left out in the cold.

Last month, the church's pastor had asked New York state officials about renting the Dulles State Office Building for their Easter service. A state official refused, citing the so-called "separation of church and state" and the state policy prohibiting religious activities in the building - even though the building is available for use by all other groups.

ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of the church and the Relevant Church was able to have its Easter celebration on Sunday! Now the state will review its policies.

You can watch a video clip of this story, featuring ADF Senior Counsel Joe Infranco, at news10now.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=100191

Joe says: "Government officials do not have the right to discriminate against Christian groups by singling them out for exclusion. Once the state opens up a building for community groups to rent, state officials must be fair and allow equal access to all groups, including churches."

And there is even more good news to report! According to the pastor, over 130 people attended and at least a dozen came forward to receive Christ!

We praise God for another set of doors opened for the Gospel - all of which have been made possible by His grace, along with your prayers and support.

Read the ADF press release to learn more...


ADF Attorneys Equipping Local Officials to Stand up to ACLU Campaigns of "Fear, Intimidation, and Disinformation"...
Several weeks ago, I told you about the ACLU's ongoing attack against public invocations at city and county government meetings.

Unfortunately, despite a promise of legal assistance from ADF attorneys, the Oconee County, South Carolina, county council was overwhelmed by the ACLU's demands and did away with public invocations. However, other cities and counties, equipped with "model" prayer policies drafted by ADF attorneys, are standing up to the ACLU and saying "enough is enough!"

In Thomasville, North Carolina, city council members voted 6-1 to adopt an ADF-drafted policy that allows for the continuation of public invocations at council meetings despite the "we'll huff, and we'll puff, and we'll blow your house down" threats of the ACLU.

Using its usual tactics of "fear, intimidation, and disinformation," the ACLU had demanded that the council immediately halt its practice of opening each meeting with a prayer of the giver's choosing. ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson, and ADF allied attorney Jere Royall, of the North Carolina Family Policy Council, provided a model policy to the council that would allow the prayers to continue in compliance with the U.S. Constitution - even under current court ruling confusion.

A copy of the ADF letter to the Thomasville City Council can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ThomasvilleLetter.pdf and www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ThomasvillePolicy.pdf.

Read the ADF press release to learn more...

In Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and Clemmons, North Carolina, city councils voted unanimously to reject the ACLU's demands to silence public invocations.

ADF and its allies are presently assisting the communities of Sweet Home, Oregon; High Point, North Carolina; Yadkin County, North Carolina; Maricopa, Arizona; Honolulu, Hawaii, and elsewhere with ADF model prayer policies.

More and more, the days are gone where the ACLU can blow into town with no opposition and intimidate public officials into passive compliance with its secular agenda. This change has been made possible by God's grace and your faithful prayers and support. THANK YOU!

Prayer Requests | Visit the ADF prayer page
"Without Christ, we can do nothing." - John 15:5

1. Please for wisdom and victories in the many legal battles ahead.
   
2. Please pray for the ongoing marriage cases in California, Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland.