Would you like to shake hands with the next president of the United States, courtesy of an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.? Next year, five participants in "The NARLA Connection" may have this opportunity.

Every year, Liberty magazine and the North American Religious Liberty Association sponsor an annual Liberty Banquet on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The past three keynote speakers are all expected to be candidates in the upcoming presidential election: Sen. Sam Brownback has already announced his candidacy, and Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton are expected to run. Future banquet speakers have not yet been determined, but they, too, could be future presidential candidates.

This year, the North American Religious Liberty Association-West has begun an exciting and fun incentive program. Those who are active in religious liberty ministry will accumulate points, and the five highest point-getters will be sponsored to go to Washington, D.C., for next year’s banquet. We call this “The NARLA Connection.”

In addition the banquet, NARLA hosts an entire weekend of exciting activities, including lobbying Congress on pertinent bills, such as the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, and a bill to give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco as a drug.

The NARLA Connection is designed to focus the interest and energy of committed religious liberty leaders so that they will be more effective in their ministry. The point system directs them to specific activities they can do. Along the way, all those who participate will win incentive items such as T-shirts or polo shirts, mugs and gift cards. We believe it is critical to revitalize religious liberty ministry at the local church level, and we are doing all we can to provide training and incentive for such ministries to thrive.

Those who are interested are encouraged to do two things. First, contact Pat Silvia at 916-446-2552 or cscparl@pacbell.net for more information. Also, you can check our website at www.churchstate.org. Second, check our schedule of training events which will be conducted throughout the Pacific Union this year, and plan to attend one of them.

Meanwhile, those who want to attend this year’s Liberty Banquet also need to do two things. First, you must be a member of NARLA to attend, so make sure you have paid your membership dues for 2007. Second, contact Pat Silvia for information and to get on the list. Space is quite limited, and only a few NARLA members from the Pacific Union will be able to attend. Each year, demand for seating increases as the event grows in popularity and importance.