The Seventh-day Adventist Church is recognized as an international leader in promoting religious liberty and has been recognized by leaders ranging from President George W. Bush, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Dr. Derek Davis of the J.M. Dawson Institute for Church State Studies at Baylor University.

Although our church’s work is recognized, the weak link in religious liberty ministry is often found at the local level. While many churches have effective religious liberty programs, others have none.

To correct this deficiency, the North American Religious Liberty Association–West, in conjunction with the Pacific Union Conference Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, is launching a new training program to certify local church religious liberty leaders.

Religious liberty ministry is intellectually demanding. To be effective, one needs to know more than a little history, law and theology, and stay up on current events. It takes time and commitment to really get a handle on what’s going on.

To encourage local religious liberty leaders to make the necessary commitment to be effective, the three-year program combines attendance at training meetings with self-study, research and active involvement. Religious liberty leaders will be part of a buddy system, teaming up with others for motivation, stimulation and support.

"I am excited about the training program," says Michael Peabody, director of government relations for the Pacific Union Conference. "When I first started as a local leader 12 years ago, it was difficult without a support system. This program will equip local leaders to rise to the challenge of preserving freedom."

In addition to training in the historical, legal and biblical principles of religious freedom, religious liberty leaders will be given practical tools for effective local ministry. Whether the need is to respond to issues in the media or in Congress, there will be a core of well-trained individuals ready to face any challenge.

To participate, each church is encouraged to identify those who can serve as effective religious liberty leaders. For more information, call 916-446-2552 or visit www.churchstate.org.