Dear Pro-Family Friend,
This appeal comes to you during one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. The COVID-19 pandemic, cancel culture, BLM, Antifa, nation-wide riots, and impeachment have dominated the headlines one after the other for months. To say this year has been strange is an understatement.
However true that may be, partisan conflicts, fear, violence, and anger should not distract us from upholding and defending our first freedom, the foundation on which America was built and thrived.
Our forebears ventured to the New World searching for the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families unhindered by a feudal system and unconstrained by a state church run by a monarchy.
Consider that “The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643″ boldly proclaim,
Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel in purity with peace…
Less than 400 years later, America seems to have all but forgotten that original intent. We see modern educators and political leaders twisting or ignoring our foundational principles and documents. In fact, they are intentionally misrepresenting our history.
Of late, even well intended folks might say we’re fighting for “freedom of worship,” not even realizing that perverts the intent of “free exercise of religion.”
Freedom of worship would narrowly define the inalienable right as existing only in a place of worship, whereas “freedom of religion” broadly assigns the right to every moment of a life dictated by faith.
Are we in danger of losing our hard-won freedoms and God-given rights?
Daily we see what happens to a society untethered from its biblical precepts and moorings, and the consequences are heartbreaking. The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the subsequent organized riots that gave way to vandalism, looting, and arson highlight the fact that we have forgotten God as a culture.
Then consider the fact that Illinois has had four new abortion mills established since taxpayer-funding of abortion was signed into law by Bruce Rauner in September 2017.
October 2018 – Carafem in Skokie
January 2019 – Planned Parenthood in Flossmoor
October 2019 – Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights
May 2020 – Planned Parenthood in Waukegan
The increase in abortion facilities is just one cultural indicator that tells the wretched tale. The “trans”-ideology, sex-trafficking, immoral/godless indoctrination in our government schools, the growing acceptance/use of marijuana (and other drugs), the expansion of gambling, and the widespread consumption of pornography confirm the diagnosis.
We Could Really Use Your Support Right Now…
Our culture is sick, traveling quickly down the slippery slope from post-Christian to out-right godless in a matter of years.
That honest assessment may be discouraging. It certainly is to me. However, we must stop to consider God’s plan. He has placed us in this state at this time in history, and His plan is better than anything we could contrive.
Moreover, God has prepared good works for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10). He wants to use us as He advances His plan. Are we willing and able to be His hands and feet–His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20)?
Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, in his book The Church in Babylon, rightly points out,
We have to be a church that is, in some ways, repulsive to the world because of our authentic holiness and yet very attractive to the world because of our love and care.
The world still needs to hear the gospel truth. Our friends, family, and neighbors in Illinois still need to be pointed to the author of all truth and reminded of God’s commands, precepts, and standards.
At the Illinois Family Institute, we are trying to accomplish just that by working hard to “boldly bring a biblical perspective to public policy.” Wickedness abounds, and it must be exposed (Eph. 5:11) with the light.
But we can only accomplish this if you partner with us! We need the tools and resources to uphold truth and defend freedom in powerful and effective ways. Your investment today in our work enables us to focus on the tasks at hand.
Day in and day out we work to expose wickedness and pray with all our might to equip Christians to counter a culture which has forgotten God and His precepts. We work to uphold the sanctity of life. We work to strengthen and uphold biblical marriage, sexuality, and the natural family. We work to stop any and all who would erode our First Amendment and our God-given right to freedom of religion.
We do all this for you, but more important, we can only do it WITH you!
With your support, we will keep pressing the attack. We will not waver.
As Paul wrote to the Galatians:
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal. 6:9)
With you as our co-laborers, we will not grow weary, and we will continue to battle! We need YOU to help us during this strange year when donations are down. Can you help? No gift is too small!
Please donate online or call (708) 781-9328.
Sincerely,
David E. Smith
Executive Director
P.S. Illinois Family Institute staff and board members have the courage to boldly stand in the public square proclaiming truth and exposing wickedness. We hope and pray you will stand with us by giving whatever you are able at this time.
Please send your gift to Illinois Family Institute at the address below, or click HERE to donate online today!
Give by mail:
Illinois Family Institute
P.O. Box 876
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477
You can also donate by phone with your credit card by calling (708) 781-9328 during normal business hours.
