Prior to that, two truly pro-family pieces of legislation, affecting students and parents, passed major hurdles: The Senate passed SB 1074, the Student Groups Bill (freedom of association for college student clubs), patroned by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26, Harrisonburg), 22-18; and the House passed HB 1642, the Parents Rights Bill, patroned by Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96, James City County), 70-30.

Two bills passed each on two important areas of concern regarding family and individual liberty as well as government accountability. Not a bad batting average for morning.

It’s called The Family Foundation’s “Ignite” plan. It’s a long-term plan to ignite an enduring cultural transformation in Virginia. It’s designed to ensure Virginia’s pro-family movement doesn’t “go home” thinking the election results are enough to stop those who work to undermine the timeless values you and I share. It’s designed to turn the moment that was the 2009 and 2010 elections into a movement that takes back lost ground in the areas of life, liberty, marriage and family.

Click here to download a copy of the plan. As you’ll see, it focuses on The Family Foundation’s work in critical areas where culture-defining battles are fought. It strategically focuses on the areas of overlap in order to create synergy and, ultimately, maximize the impact of The Family Foundation’s work.

Before you download the plan, though, I want to share with you a real blessing: In order to get us off to a strong start in implementing this plan, a small group of The Family Foundation’s donors have offered to match every contribution The Family Foundation receives before December 31 — up to $25,000!

That means every donation made to The Family Foundation before December 31 will be doubled automatically. A $20 contribution becomes $40; a $50 contribution becomes $100! That’s why I hope you’ll consider making a contribution today. Click here to make a secure online contribution.

Ignite may well be the most important plan The Family Foundation has ever undertaken, and the matching gift is an incredible opportunity to get it off to a really fast start.

You and I both know the people and organizations who work to undermine the timeless values we share are not going to “go home” just because they’ve had a couple bad elections. History shows us losing elections only serve to motivate them — and not just for the next election. Those who work against the principles The Family Foundation advocates are likely to become even more aggressive in training new leaders, pushing radical legislation, preparing voter education programs, and much more.

Simply put, if you and I don’t start immediately working to build on the momentum of the 2009 and 2010 elections it won’t be long until we end up right back where we started.

Like you, I want to build on our past victories because there is so much more to be done. From adding to past pro-life victories to reestablishing our religious freedom to bringing school choice to Virginia, we have many victories ahead! And the Ignite plan will play a big role in realizing them. But we need you today.

So please, take a few minutes to review the plan today. Thank you for your loyal support. I’m excited about the future and look forward to working with you to ignite an enduring cultural transformation in Virginia.

The Family Foundation and our outreach arm, Pastors For Family Values, are planning for a special Pastors For Family Values Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 3. Pastors and ministry leaders from across Virginia will come to Richmond to be updated by pro-family senators and delegates as well as staff from The Family Foundation. Pastors will have an opportunity to meet with your elected officials to encourage them to support pro-family legislation and possibly have a chance to minister to them.

It is up to us as the church to let legislators know where we stand on the issues and that we believe the traditional values that made Virginia great are shared by a vast majority of Virginians. One thing is certain: Those who oppose our values will be in Richmond in force and will continue to pressure lawmakers to support an agenda that is against our principles.

The event will conclude with a complimentary lunch at which Martin Brown will be the keynote speaker. Mr. Brown is the commissioner for the Virginia Department of Social Services and is a former executive director of The Family Foundation. He will provide a unique insight into how the church can have an impact on the lives of the poor . . . not just by feeding them or offering a helping hand, but by teaching them the principles of God’s Word. Studies have proven conclusively that the best way out of poverty for a child is to have a mother and father who are married and in the home, to stay in school, and avoid pre-marital sex and drugs.

Youth pastors also are invited this year and we will have a speaker of interest to them: Justin McClure, the youth pastor at Beaverdam Baptist Church, will share his vision and plan for networking with other youth pastors and affecting teens with the Gospel. 

We look forward to an informative, exciting and positive day on Thursday, February 3, at the state capitol, as we make an impact on our state (see a picture from our last pastors event). Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the activities will run from 9:00 until approximately 2:00 p.m. 

Click here to register for Pastors for Family Values Day at the Capitol.

If you are not a pastor or youth pastor, please share this link with your pastor and/or youth pastor. For more information, you may also contact Roger Pogge at roger@familyfoundation.org or 804-343-0010.

However, there will be time to fight those battles and, yes, win them, with all of us pulling together. However, the timing of this most gracious and warm approaching holiday could not have come at a better time.

Like you, we too look forward to the warmth and love of the company of our family and friends this time of year; of great food, fun times and just relaxing. We appreciate the time, however mandated by the calendar, to pause, reflect and give thanks for all this country and commonwealth provides us and means to us; and we pray for and help those whose lives need help.

We pause and pray to The Almighty God for his abundant blessings and goodness to us and this country and commonwealth. We offer thanks to Him for all that we are and have, and to pledge to Him to work to reciprocate that love year-round by making our world a better place, a place worthy of His grace and Word, through charity to those less fortunate than us, in refecting in ourselves His Word to others by example, as well as actively engaging the public at large for policies that protect the enduring values of civilization — doing it all one small accumulative step at a time.

From the staff, board and volunteers of The Family Foundation of Virginia, please accept our warmest and sincerest wishes for a blessed, safe and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday.