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For more than a decade, the Christian Law Association was blessed by the faithful prayers of a very special friend, Thomas “Tom” Stokes.

Tom was blind, but he never allowed that limitation to keep him from asking what he could do for the Lord and for others. And what he could do, he did faithfully. Prayer became Tom’s ministry.

Day after day, Tom called our offices for one simple reason—to pray with us and for us. CLA was only one of many ministries, friends, and individuals he faithfully remembered. Throughout each week, Tom would personally call approximately 150 people to pray with them, encourage them, and let them know they were not forgotten.

Remarkably, Tom had an extraordinary memory. He could remember an amazing number of telephone numbers without needing to look them up. He also had the unusual ability to hear someone’s birth date and tell them the day of the week on which they were born. Those who knew him could not help but marvel at the gifts God had given him.

But what we will remember most was Tom’s heart. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and he wanted his life to be a blessing. He used what God had given him and faithfully did what he could.

We cannot begin to measure how many burdens were lightened, battles were helped, and lives were encouraged because Tom prayed. His familiar calls will be deeply missed at CLA, but we rejoice knowing that the friend who prayed with us so faithfully is now in the presence of the Savior to whom he prayed.

Tom reminded us that every Christian has something he can do for the Lord. Thank you for standing with this ministry on your knees. Your faithfulness will never be forgotten.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

If your church experiences a power outage during a service, the pastoral staff and members of the security team should encourage everyone to remain seated until the lights come back on or until an alternate source of light can be obtained. The security team should immediately retrieve flashlights and deploy to every populated area of the building, including the nursery, to help people evacuate safely.

Across America, courts continue to affirm important constitutional protections for churches, ministries, religious schools, and people of faith. Recent decisions have reinforced the rights of believers to freely exercise their faith, protected religious organizations from unnecessary government interference, and recognized that the First Amendment remains a vital safeguard for religious liberty.

While many legal battles continue, these victories remind us that standing faithfully for Biblical convictions is never in vain. Every favorable decision strengthens the legal foundation that helps protect churches and Christians throughout our nation.

At the Christian Law Association, we are grateful for every religious liberty victory—whether it occurs in a courtroom across the country or in a local community where a church is simply allowed to continue serving the Lord without interference. Please continue praying for wisdom for judges, courage for Christian attorneys, and protection for ministries as together we stand for the freedoms that allow the Gospel to be proclaimed.

If your church enjoys religious freedom in your community, it can be easy to wonder why court victories in another state really matter.

The answer is simple: our legal system is interconnected.

Court decisions often influence future cases across the country. A religious liberty case decided in one federal circuit may later shape legal arguments in another. Attorneys who oppose religious freedom understand this and frequently pursue cases strategically, hoping to establish legal precedents that can be expanded elsewhere.

America may consist of fifty states and thousands of counties, but our legal system often functions as one interconnected framework.

Every religious liberty victory helps strengthen protections for churches throughout the nation.

Thank you for praying as we continue defending churches and Christians wherever these important cases arise.

Every phone call answered helps another church remain faithful.

The Christian Law Association receives tens of thousands of calls each year, as churches face serious legal threats or struggle to navigate the complexities of local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

The sacrificial giving of our faithful partners makes it possible for our staff and attorneys to tend to this never-ending stream of legal questions. We encourage you to pray to determine how you might be able to support this ministry of helps.

People often ask me what gives me hope for the future of America. My answer may surprise them.

My confidence has never rested in an election, a political party, or the passage of another law. While good leaders and wise laws certainly matter, they have never been the true source of our nation’s strength.

The hope of America has always been found in God’s people faithfully living for Him.

Every time a Christian opens God’s Word, bows in prayer, faithfully serves in the local church, raises children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, shares the Gospel, or simply chooses obedience over compromise, the spiritual foundation of our nation is strengthened. Those acts may seem small in the eyes of the world, but Heaven measures them differently.

Throughout history, God has often accomplished His greatest work through ordinary believers who simply remained faithful. Revival has never begun in the halls of government—it has begun in hearts that were fully surrendered to God.

So do not become discouraged by the headlines. Do not allow fear to replace faith. Keep serving the Lord where He has placed you. Live with conviction. Love people. Share the Gospel. Support your local church. Raise the next generation to know and love Christ.

America does not need more discouraged Christians. America needs more faithful Christians.

Stand for Christ. Stay true to His Word. Finish your course with joy. Faithfulness has always changed lives—and by God’s grace, it can still change a nation.

God has always placed His people in challenging times, and when God’s people are faithful to His ways and empowered by His Spirit, they stand as bright lights shining in the darkness, pointing people to the saving power of the Gospel. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

Like Daniel, Esther, and Paul, believers are called to faithfulness rather than fear. Even when wicked courtiers worked behind the scenes to outlaw Daniel’s faith, he steadfastly lifted his prayers to Heaven, even when a lions’ den was waiting. In a time when kings could execute anyone they chose for the smallest reason, Esther made her way to the throne and saved a mass slaughter of the Jewish people. In recounting his own testimony, Paul mentioned that he had received “stripes above measure,” that he had “five times received…forty stripes save one.” He was “thrice beaten with rods” and was even stoned (2 Corinthians 11:23–25). In spite of these impossible obstacles, his ministry helped carry the message of the Gospel far and wide to the known world.

The Church does not retreat—it ministers. Like those faithful people who have preceded us, we bear our burdens with God’s help, and we do all we can to help the people God sends our way. Here at the Christian Law Association, we have seen countless pastors and faithful Christian people in the midst of legal battles that are clearly unfair and unjust. But when these godly people view their legal challenges as opportunities to stand for Christ with wisdom, it not only is a great blessing to see, but it also shines the light of God’s love into the darkness of this sin-cursed world, showing people that our loving Heavenly Father is real.

May the Lord give us the courage to stand and the wisdom to stand well.

Don’t Wait Until a Problem Arises

Many churches think about legal documents only after a disagreement, accident, or government inquiry. By then, valuable opportunities to prevent problems have often passed.

Late summer is an excellent time to review governing documents, child protection policies, employment handbooks, facility use agreements, security plans, and insurance coverage before fall ministries begin.

An afternoon of preparation today can prevent months of difficulty tomorrow.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself…” (Proverbs 22:3a).

Protecting the Next Generation

As Sunday school classes, Christian schools, nurseries, youth ministries, and bus routes begin another year, now is the time to ensure volunteer screening, background checks, supervision policies, and emergency procedures are current.

Parents entrust churches with their greatest treasures—their children.

Strong policies not only reduce legal risks, but also demonstrate a ministry’s commitment to loving families well and protecting every child entrusted to its care.

Legal Questions Should Never Stop the Gospel

Many pastors hesitate to ask legal questions because they fear the cost.

That is exactly why Christian Law Association exists.

Whether the question involves church governance, property matters, employment concerns, religious liberty, nonprofit compliance, or another ministry issue, our desire is to help before a small concern becomes a larger problem.

One phone call often provides peace of mind—and allows pastors to return their focus to where it belongs: faithfully shepherding God’s people.

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)

Every day, pastors, churches, Christian schools, and ministries contact Christian Law Association with urgent legal questions they cannot answer alone. Because of the faithful generosity of friends like you, many receive experienced legal assistance at no charge.

Your prayers sustain us. Your financial support allows us to continue standing beside those who faithfully proclaim the Gospel and defend religious liberty across America.

If Christian Law Association has encouraged you or if you believe this ministry is needed now more than ever, would you prayerfully consider a special gift this month? Together, we can help ensure that no Bible-believing church or ministry has to face legal challenges alone.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

As families return from vacations and children prepare to head back to school, many churches begin one of their busiest seasons of the year. Sunday school classes resume, Bible studies begin again, choirs restart rehearsals, Christian schools welcome students, and ministries that may have slowed during the summer quickly regain momentum.

While schedules become fuller, our calling remains unchanged.

The Apostle Paul reminded believers, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58a).

Satan never takes a season off. While churches prepare lesson plans, outreach events, and school openings, the enemy continues looking for opportunities to discourage pastors, divide congregations, burden ministries, and create legal obstacles that distract from the Gospel.

Many of the calls Christian Law Association receives each August reflect this transition into a new ministry year. Churches are reviewing child protection policies before welcoming children back into classrooms. Christian schools are updating employee handbooks and enrollment documents. Ministries are reviewing insurance coverage, transportation policies, security procedures, volunteer screening, and governance documents. These preparations may seem administrative, but they are acts of faithful stewardship.

The Lord has entrusted every church with more than a building. He has entrusted people, testimony, resources, and opportunities to proclaim Christ. Protecting those ministries allows churches to continue focusing on the work God has called them to accomplish.

Preparation is never a substitute for faith. Rather, preparation is often an expression of faith. Noah built the ark before the rain came. Nehemiah prayed—and posted guards. Joseph prepared during years of plenty before famine arrived. Scripture repeatedly shows God’s people planning wisely while trusting completely in Him.

As another ministry season begins, may every church continue to preach the Gospel boldly, disciple believers faithfully, and carefully protect the ministries God has entrusted to their care.

Christian Law Association considers it a privilege to stand beside pastors, Christian schools, camps, and ministries every day. Whether answering a simple legal question or helping through a significant challenge, our desire remains unchanged—to remove distractions so churches can remain focused on reaching souls for Christ.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Together, by God’s grace, we continue defending those who faithfully proclaim His Word.