Dear Friends,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As many of you know, there is a great need in the eastern regions of the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Countless people, including LCMS members and congregations, are grieving the loss of their businesses, homes, and even their loved ones. Yet equally swift have been the many congregations, organizations, church members, and volunteers from around the Synod who have contributed their time, resources, finances, and prayers to aid those affected by the hurricane. I thank and praise God for the willing hearts and servant leadership of all involved!
As the long, difficult process of healing begins, I encourage Kansas District congregations and schools to prayerfully consider taking up a special offering during the month of October, to support our brothers and sisters in the LCMS districts affected by Hurricane Helene.
Provided below are links for the three districts receiving contributions:
⢠LCMS Mid-South District: https://mid-southlcms.org/
⢠LCMS Southeastern District: https://se.lcms.org/
⢠LCMS Florida-Georgia District: https://flgadistrict.org/
Funds received will be distributed by these districts for survivor support and some volunteer support. This will be a long-term ongoing recovery.
Other ways congregations and schools can help are by putting together hygiene kits for those districts affected. For a list of items needed for hygiene kits contact Donna Williams, the Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator, by emailing ksddrc@gmail.com
Let us join in prayer together as we âencourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doingâ (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
In the service of Christ,
Rev. Justin Panzer
Kansas District President
Church and Ministry Alliance Link:
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Posted 8/20/24
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Hello McPherson College Friends, Family, Alumni and Supporters,
McPherson College is anticipating the arrival of one of its biggest international student classes ever! On average we bring in approximately 16 international students per academic year and this semester we are bringing in 30+ student from countries like Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy,  Nigeria, and the Netherlands just to name a few. We have noticed that on average, our international students arrive in Kansas at later times in the day to where they are not able to get the things they need and probably could not carry with them. In an effort to welcome them, help them have a smooth transition and set them up for success, McPherson College has been providing our international students with some basic necessities upon arrival which include but not limited to; bedding, personal hygiene items, basic school supplies and non-perishable food items (to last them until the dining hall opens).
Due to the size of this incoming class, we are requesting assistance providing these items from our Bulldog and McPherson Community. Our goal is to collect as many items as we can to by August 2nd 2024 as our international students start coming in around August 4th for their international orientation starting the 6th. We have compiled a list of the items needed and have made an Amazon wish list accessible here. The items weâre requesting do not have to be purchased on Amazon, nor do they need to be the exact items on the list, as the list is meant as a guide. Should you be able to donate any of these items, we would appreciate if the items were new as opposed to second hand or gently used.Â
If you can donate any of these items, they can be dropped off at the Royer Center located in Miller Library at McPherson College â 1600 E Euclid St- Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00. If you do order off Amazon, you can have it sent directly to the school via the same address listed previously with ATTN: Student Affairs.
Thank you for all you do for McPherson College and our students, Go bulldogs!
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Sarah Wood, B.S. Director of Student Life Student Activities Board Advisor International Student Association Advisor  McPherson College | www.mcpherson.edu (620) 242-0504 office (620) 504-4807 on-call Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/woods-mc |
Article form Alliance Defending Freedom:
Kansans for LIfe Mini-News - article link
Dr. Bruss called as seventeeth president of CTSFW: Â article link
LCMS - The Lutheran World Federation - Paper - for study and evaluation.
Important Call to Action Document from Kansans for Life - Contact Elected Officials ASAP
Kansas For Life Mini- News - April 27th, 2024
We are excited to share a recent legal victory that impacts churches, ministries, and nonprofits nationwide.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a nonprofit's tax-exempt status is NOT the same as receiving government funding. This decision protects charities and nonprofits from being subjected to burdensome regulations and lawsuits that might threaten their tax-exempt status.
Alliance Defending Freedom advocated for this outcome by filing an amicus brief as part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard the freedoms of churches and ministries.
We encourage you to read the Fourth Circuit's opinion for a deeper understanding of this ruling.
Read the Opinion: https://adfmedialegalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/.../Conc...
Your membership is crucial in our continued effort to protect the rights of churches and ministries to operate, teach, and serve in accordance with Godâs calling.
Blessings,
The ADF Church & Ministry Alliance
Dear Members of Grace Lutheran Church,
Greetings in Christ. I hope this email finds you well!
I would like to cordially invite your congregation to host a Live-Stream of LCC's Christian Culture Conference this June for your members. This yearâs theme is Lutheranism in a Post-Christian America.
The conference dates are:
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4th and 5th.
Tuesday runs from 1:15pm MT to 5pm MT.
Wednesday runs from 10am to 12pm MT with our Benefit Concert at 6:30pm MT.
If you are interested in participating, please register below!
There are three videos set up for streaming: Conference Day 1, Conference Day 2, and the Benefit Concert Wednesday evening. All use the same password.
 You can rewind each video and view them at a later time/date when it is most convenient for your congregational viewers.
 A live chat feature is available for all online viewers. We will take one question for each speaker from our online chat.
 If you have any questions regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact me at s.preus@lutherclassical.org or (307) 314-5882.
 We hope you will consider joining us for this exciting conference! Please find conference speakers, topic, and schedule below.
 2024 Christian Culture Conference Live-Stream Lutheranism in a Post-Christian America  Dates: 1240 S Missouri Ave Casper, WY 82609  Cost: Live-Stream: $25
2:15pm â Break 2:30pm â Dr. Allan Carlson: The Lutheran Family: Past and Future 3:30pm â Report from the President of Luther Classical College 3:40pm â Break 4:00pm â Rev. Jeffrey Hemmer: Necessary Masculinity in Post-Christian America 5:00pm â End of Day 1 Speakers  Wednesday, June 5th:
11:00am â Rev. David Ramirez: Tyranny's Assault on the Family: Church and State in Post-Christian America 12:00pm â End of Day 2 Speakers  Bonus Activities (Wednesday, June 5th)  6:30pm â Luther Classical Benefit Concert: Highlights from Handel and more!  |
Our Contact Information
Luther Classical College
2300 Hickory St
Casper, WY 82604
(307)216-5294
Posted 11/7/23
Dear Friends,
The Washington County (KS) Public Schools 1967 grade card had this quote to parents on it:Â âYou therefore have a duty to perform. You must rear, nourish and educate him. Along with this teaching comes moral training as well as intellectual, social, physical and civic education.â
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Itâs a fantastic phrase, and a good reminder to us of our vocation as parents. To that end, both I, and staff of the Kansas District, do get asked quite frequently about âhomeschool resources,â especially in areas of our state where we do not have a Lutheran school located. We addressed this topic at an open forum during our October pastorâs conference. I have also asked, and received, from Rebekah Wright an initial resource document. Rebekah Wright is a native Michigander now living in Topeka via Iowa, Indiana, and Florida. Her husband is the senior pastor at St. Johnâs Lutheran in Topeka. She is a stay at home mother of five, ages nine, eight, six, five, and three. She has been homeschooling since 2019 when her oldest was five and loves it.
This email is not intended to take or draw away people from our Lutheran schoolsâthey are absolute gems! This document is meant to serve as a âbest practicesâ piece of what you might do or consider. If you have ideas that work for you in your context, please share them with me. For now, I invite you to check out our new âHomeschool Resourcesâ website link on our website:Â https://kslcms.org/education-youth/homeschool-resources/
Godâs blessings as you go about your day in the Lord as His baptized!
In the service of Christ,
Rev. Justin Panzer
President, LCMS Kansas District
Office Phone: 785-357-4441
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Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and who gave Himself for me."
Dear Friends,
Rejoice! Your King comes to you!Â
In light of the 2023 Kansas District Life Conference and March for Life, I want to draw your attention to three things:
- Please register for the event at this link by January 18, 2023 â https://kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2023-life-conference/
- When registering, please pay for the lunch. Scroll to the bottom of the website page and click on the red âLunch Paymentâ button.
- Please also register for the âMarch for Lifeâ with this link by December 31, 2022 â https://www.lcms-life.org/need/detail/?need_id=737571 This will ensure that you receive a stocking hat and hymn sing sign.
Thank you! We look forward to your participation, and we will continue to pray for the mighty of the Holy Spirit in the State of Kansas for the respect of life from womb to the tomb.
In the service of Christ,
Rev. Justin Panzer
President, LCMS Kansas District
Office Phone: 785-357-4441
Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and who gave Himself for me."
Campus Ministry:
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Posted 7/5/22How Does the Overturn of Roe v. Wade AffectValue Them Both Constitutional Amendment? |
The long-awaited announcement on June 24 overturning Roe v. Wade is a blessing to our nation and brings with it a focus on the Value Them Both Kansas Constitutional Amendment. Why did the Kansas legislature bring forth the amendment? The answer is not that complicated. The two basic reasons were: Read the rest of the article: Â https://madmimi.com/p/7c02341?pact=66132-168420739-13628542670-e63e6a9cb54297c8478b44375c28b59cfa65f87a |
Value Them Both Coalition Demands Removal of False and Deceptive Ad, Holds Media Accountable For Reporting Truth about Amendment
Read article here:https://kansansforlife.salsalabs.org/vtbcoalitiondemandsremovalofafalseanddeceptivead?wvpId=5e014166-e27e-4650-93b8-52fb641acd5a
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âThis is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in itâ (Psalm 118:24).
Today is a monumental day, a day on which we simultaneously rejoice, pray, give thanks, lament, repent and weep. The Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and returned the responsibility for protecting life to the states. âHeld: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representativesâ (SCOTUS, Dobbs v. Jackson, 1).
â[The Lord] has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estateâ (Luke 1:52).
Today is also the Churchâs feast day, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. These two events are a happy convergence.
Today we celebrate the birth of the one who, before he was born, leaped in joyful Spirit-inspired confession when his mother met the mother of his unborn Lord. Today we take comfort in our Lordâs unborn forerunner and in the unborn Savior. We also rejoice at the resounding victory for life in the United States. Many of us long doubted it would ever come. The Lord has had mercy upon us, even us, sinners all, even in these times.
Today we continue to speak out against the evil of abortion, which many will continue to practice and advocate in states bent on death. Many who have been misled by the father of lies and the culture of death greet this day with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Today we continue to sing that the Lord âhas visited and redeemed his peopleâ (Luke 1:68).
Today we pray for unborn children who remain unprotected in many states. Today, in many places, the abortion industry continues to kill unborn children and welcomes those from states where such killing is illegal. Today we take comfort that by the Lordâs hand âwe should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate usâ (Luke 1:71).
Today we repent of our own lack of love for the least, the last and the lost, for mothers in need and families facing crises. Today we celebrate Godâs gift of the one He sent to âgo before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sinsâ (Luke 1:76â77).
Today we recommit to love all, unborn and born. Today we receive the sunrise from on high, âto give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of deathâ (Luke 1:79).
Today we proclaim: Repent and believe the Good News that Jesus Christ, conceived by the Spirit, formed in the womb and born of the virgin Mary, died and rose for sinners. That includes all of us. Today we give thanks for John who preached repentance and pointed to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
Today we lovingly invite all to listen to Jesusâ call, ârepent and believe in the gospelâ (Mark 1:15). If you have caused an abortion, the taking of life, there is forgiveness in Jesus! Donât be hardened in sin or advocate for more sins. Today you have hope in the One whose way John the Baptist prepared. Jesus is for sinners. Come join the rest of us forgiven sinners! Jesus is for you! You need not have a bad conscience! Repent and believe the Good News of Godâs love for you in Jesus.
Today we lament that the U.S. Supreme Court continues to deny the unborn the legally recognized right to life. Even though Roe v. Wade has fallen, states can still allow the killing of unborn children. Today we pray that more unborn will leap for joy in the womb, as St. John did.
Today, even as we rejoice, we weep that U.S. policy continues to promote abortion globally. Today we bend our knees in prayer.
O Lord, âlet justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing streamâ (Amos 5:24). The Lord preceded His Son, our Savior, with a forerunner. We pray that todayâs decision points ahead to the day when every state advances the cause of life and expands protections for unborn children.
Lord have mercy upon us.
Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran ChurchâMissouri Synod
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June 24, 2022
Attorney General Merrick Garland
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Garland and Assistant Attorney General Clarke:
As presidents of three Lutheran Christian church bodies that vigorously support the rule of law, justice and legal protection for all peopleâespecially the least, the weakest, the unbornâwe are writing about the increased violence that has occurred following the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion concerning Dobbs v. Jackson Womenâs Health Organization. These acts of violence against churches, pro-life organizations and pregnancy centers are clearly terrorist attacks: they use violence designed to intimidate in order to achieve political ends.
Such attacks are sadly well documented: Pro-life organizations in Wisconsin and Oregon were attacked. A pregnancy care center in New York was also attacked. Vandals defaced 17 churches or pro-life organizations with pro-abortion or anti-religious slogans, including the phrase âabort the church.â These terrorist attacks aim to intimidate through the slogan âIf abortions arenât safe, then neither are you.â
One extremist group is advocating violence in response to the final Supreme Court decision on Dobbs, while another group published the home addresses of the Supreme Court Justices and encouraged people to show up at their homes, churches, and their childrenâs schools in an attempt to coerce the Justices and influence their final decision. A couple of weeks ago, there was an alleged attempted assassination of a sitting Supreme Court Justice at his home.
These continued terrorist assaults on religious and pro-life groups, because of their beliefs, are manifest crimes against citizens of the United States. These attacks call for a prompt, comprehensive, governmental response. Please publicly condemn these unlawful attacks, investigate them, fully prosecute those responsible, commit to providing security for the victims and other community service organizations, and employ vigorous efforts to prevent similar future attacks.
We continue to pray for you and all those whom God has placed in authority over us. May God bless you in your tasks and guide you to govern according to His will.
Sincerely,
Rev. Glenn R. Obenberger
President of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Mankato, Minn.
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President of The Lutheran ChurchâMissouri Synod
St. Louis, Mo.
Rev. Mark G. Schroeder
President of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Waukesha, Wis.
Roe v. Wade is no longer the law of the land when it comes to abortion policy. Praise God! The Supreme Court has reversed nearly five decades of unconstitutional legal precedent and affirmed that there is no constitutional right to end a childâs life in the womb. States may now protect the unborn!
The majority opinion in Dobbs, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, made this crystal clear by stating: âWe hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely â the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.â
Please read the rest of the article at:
https://www.adfministryalliance.org/post/life-after-roe-v-wade
Value Them Both Coalition Releases Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson  June 24, 2022 The Value Them Both Coalition (VTB) released the following statement in response to todayâs U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson County Womenâs Health Organization: âTodayâs decision on Dobbs v. Jackson emphasizes the importance of our democracy, restoring the power to the states to decide how and if they are going to place limits on the abortion industry. The U.S. Supreme Court restored the peopleâs ability to come to individual consensus on abortion limits â but not in Kansas. As it stands today, unelected judges in Kansas are the ones who will decide the fate of abortion limits. The Value Them Both Amendment is a reasonable approach and will ensure Kansas does not remain a permanent destination for the most extreme and painful abortion procedures. âAt this historically important time, the question before Kansans on August 2nd is clear: an unregulated abortion industry with no limits at all or the reasonable limits protected by the Value Them Both Amendment,â said Mackenzie Haddix, Deputy Communications Director for the Value Them Both Campaign. Kansas voters will vote on Value Them Both on August 2nd. This amendment will protect bipartisan, commonsense limits on the abortion industry that have been enacted in Kansas over the last 25 years. This opportunity on August 2nd will allow Kansas voters to have a voice to ensure the state does not become a permanent destination for extreme abortion procedures. Without Value Them Both, Kansas abortion law will become as extreme as New York and California. The Value Them Both Coalition is a united effort of Kansas citizens and organizations committed to promoting passage of the Value Them Both Amendment on Aug. 2, which is the only means to defend our stateâs existing pro-life laws. The coalition encourages Kansas voters to learn more at valuethemboth.com and to vote âYESâ on August 2, 2022. The coalition is led by Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference, and Kansas Family Voice.  To view this on their website: https://kansansforlife.salsalabs.org/pressreleasejune24?wvpId=5e014166-e27e-4650-93b8-52fb641acd5a |
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Dear Friends in Christ:
As many of you know, we are currently living in troubling times. One issue causing turmoil in our culture is the impending decision of the Supreme Court, and the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned. As you may have heard in the news, there have been reports of protests and even vandalism inflicted on churches across the country.
We encourage you to be mindful of this in your churches and schools in the days to come as we continue to proclaim Godâs truth. It is times like these that we look to our Lord for comfort and guidance. In the Gospel of John, Jesus comforts His disciples by saying, âI have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the worldâ (John 16:33). Â
 Amidst the anger to which many people have succumbed, we, as Lutherans, have peace knowing that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Take heart during these turbulent days and remember that the Lord watches over you and the people you serve.
 We pray for this hurting world, that the Holy Spirit would give us the courage to lovingly share His Good News with others. You remain in my prayers as you encourage your people to live out their baptismal calling.
 May the Lord bless and keep you,
 President Panzer
NEWS (added 5/10/22)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
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On April 29, 2022, an EF-3 tornado tore through the town of Andover. The tornado path caused damage in Sedgwick County, the city of Andover, and across the county line into Butler County.
Rev. Scott Snow (Holy Cross, Wichita) and Rev. Mark Lovett (Immanuel, Wichita) report that at least two of the devastated homes belong to members of their respective congregations. Rev. Steve Wipperman (Peace, Andover) also reports that Kansas LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) is helping a couple from the congregation. Weâre writing today to ask for your help in getting these families, and others in the community, back on their feet.
The LCMS Kansas District would like to encourage Kansas congregations and LCMS members to consider making a donation to aid in the recovery. The funds generated will help these families start rebuilding their lives. (If funds received exceed the needs of these families, they will be forwarded to the Kansas District LCMS Disaster Relief fund.) Local donations will also be collected by Holy Cross, Wichita and distributed to those in need.
WAYS TO HELP:
DONATE ONLINE by clicking the red button at this link https://kslcms.org/caring-ministry/disaster-response/ . Specify âAndover Tornadoâ as a designation on the payment page. (This is the quickest way to provide help.)
SEND A CHECK to the LCMS Kansas District (1000 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604), earmarked âAndover Tornado.â
PRAY for these families and everyone else affected by the tornado.
SHARE this email with others who would like to help.
CONSIDER holding a door offering in support of these families.
In the service of Christ,
 Tami Lierz, Administrative Assistant on behalf of President Justin A. Panzer. Please send responses to President Panzer at kspres@kslcms.org or Tami Lierz at tami@kslcms.org.Â
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Wokeism in the LCMS. Pray for healing.
https://www.gottesdienst.org/podcast/2022/3/1/tgc-172-called-to-defendÂ
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12-2-21
An email from President Harrison, requesting prayers.
Dear Brothers,
Grace and peace in Christ.
This is to let you know that our family (and our LCMS family) was impacted by the Oxford, Michigan school shootings.
My sisterâs twins attend the school. My Nephew Michael, thank God, was home sick the day of the shooting. My niece, Dani, however was present. In fact, just prior to the shootings she and a classmate requested permission to Go to the restroom. Dani graciously suggested the other girl go first. That girl was shot. I do not know her condition.
A few weeks back, I preached in Oxford for the confirmation of my nephew and niece. A third child was also confirmed that day. That young ladyâs older sister was shot. I was told that child is in a coma, information not verified. Her sisterâs confirmation verse is very consoling for a Christian in times of difficulty. I recall preaching directly to the confirmand that the truth of her verse (I canât recall what it is at the moment) would be a rock for her in the face of the challenges she would face in life. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgements. Â
My sister Catherine, her husband Brian, and the two children are severely shaken.
I request your prayers for my family, our LCMS family in Oxford including our pastors, and for all suffering this horrible event.
In Jesus,
President Matthew Harrison
Christian Colleges Fight LGBT Studentsâ Lawsuit Seeking to Block Title IX Religious Exemptions
Read article linked here
St. Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him, that all his words would bear witness to the truth of Godâs Word, and that in all he did, he might proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. âTo that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospelâ (Eph. 6:18â19).
The church prays that Christians, and especially those called into the Office of the Holy Ministry, might be given boldness and strength to confess the truth of Godâs Word, even in the face of persecution and opposition. Where persecution occurs, and where governments fail to protect the right teaching of Scripture, the church confesses Christ and stands on the truth of Godâs Word.
Finlandâs prosecutor general has charged the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, diocesan dean and bishop-elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, with incitement against a group of people. The charges stem from his agreement with a 2004 booklet that articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. In addition, the prosecutor general has similarly charged Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish member of Parliament who authored the booklet identifying homosexuality as a sin and teaching that a failure to recognize sin as sin undermines the very need for a Savior.
Through a recent International Lutheran Council statement signed by 48 confessional Lutheran leaders worldwide, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison addressed these events: âThe actions of the Finnish State in prosecuting Christians for holding to the clear teaching of the very words of Jesus regarding marriage and sex (Matt. 19:4â6) are egregious. ... We Lutherans make this strong confession along with Drs. Pohjola and Räsänen.â
Join us in praying for Christians throughout the world, that boldness of confession would lead all to Christ and Him crucified, as the church stands on the unchanging truth of Godâs Word.
ÂÂ
Please visit the website below for more information:
"Together we can declare that Kansas values women and children. In January of 2021, allied legislators, along with coalition partners, successfully passed VALUE THEM BOTH through the Kansas legislature with huge supermajorities. This is an enormous win for life in Kansas but weâre not done yet.
Recent Court rulings have paved the way way for unlimited abortion, paid for with your tax dollars. You can reverse this course by voting for VALUE THEM BOTH in August of 2022. "
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1. Equality Act Information from the Aliance Defending Freedom (linked here)
2. The Harms of the Equality Act (direct link - article below)