"The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders of the gospel church and by God's witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 68).

Seventh-day Adventists have long taken very seriously this sacred charge, first organizing the National Religious Liberty Association in 1893, and later the International Religious Liberty Association with more than 50 national chapters, including one in North America. Now, the North American Religious Liberty Association has organized a western regional chapter — NARLA-West.

“NARLA-West is destined to play a vital role in advancing the cause of religious liberty,” said James Standish, executive director of the national organization. “The strength of NARLA-West is not only its exceptionally dedicated leadership team, but its growing rank and file membership. At the end of the day, it is those members who are going to ensure that religious liberty is not merely an ideal, but rather a practical reality.”

During the inaugural meeting of the board of directors Jan. 5-7 in Pismo Beach, Calif., Michael Peabody, an attorney and government relations director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council, was chosen executive director of NARLA-West.

Additional NARLA-West officers include treasurer Alan Reinach, executive secretary John Bechtel, director for educational affairs and youth outreach Tim Erich, director for community outreach Washington Johnson, director for clergy outreach James Lee, director for diversity Mary Gaines, director for leader mentoring William Brooks, director for senior outreach, Carolyn Gentry, and recording secretary Kara Lewis.

“We look forward to working closely with the national organization to create a solid grassroots program to promote liberty of conscience locally, nationally and globally,” Peabody said. “It is a privilege to work with such a qualified group of people on the cutting edge of these issues.”

Issues of immediate concern to NARLA-West include passing legislation to combat the growing intolerance that people of faith experience in the American workplace, working to ensure fundamental freedoms are not lost in our post-9/11 world, and advancing the cause of liberty in some of the most inhospitable nations on earth.

NARLA exists to ensure that all peaceful people of faith are accorded the fundamental right to not only hold beliefs but also to actively practice their faith. NARLA’s goal is to be the nation's clearest, most consistent and most effective voice for freedom of conscience.

“Religious liberty is not someone else’s concern,” insists Alan Reinach. “All Seventh-day Adventists should consider preservation of religious freedom to be a sacred duty, and should be informed and get involved by becoming members of NARLA.” Membership in NARLA is open to the public. To join NARLA or to learn more about it, visit www.religiousliberty.info. Churches are also urged to obtain NARLA membership brochures, distribute them in church, and encourage all church members to become members. “In these last days, it is more true than ever that we will either hang together to preserve religious liberty, or hang separately,” declares Alan Reinach. “NARLA is our voice, our vision, our values — it’s how we work together.”