As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, we also prepare to enter a new year. We reflect on the amazing grace God has given us. Also, we consider what He would have us do going forward.

Earlier this year we initiated a five-year traction plan that called for aggressive growth to expand the outreach of Liberty Counsel throughout America. That was before the Supreme Court decided the Lawrence v. Texas case, in which the Court “found a right” to engage in homosexual sodomy and even cited international law when interpreting the U.S. Constitution -- a very, very dangerous path indeed.

Therefore, at that time, God impressed me with the need to boldly and aggressively move forward on our five-year plan to advance religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family. This means, that the aggressive plan has become even more aggressive. Understand this is not growth for the sake of growth.

This is growth so that every time the ACLU or Lambda Legal Defense Fund files suit to destroy our culture, we will be there. No battlefield is too insignificant. We know when we show up, the Lord is magnified.

During the past eleven months we have taken nearly sixty round-trip flights (more than 300 takeoffs and landings) for more than 125,000 flight miles and driven over 10,000 miles. In the first 10 ½ months of this year, we’ve opened 45 new litigated cases, are working 61 active cases, have 73 cases in pre-litigation status, and have resolved hundreds of other cases without litigation.

This year we’ve also given well over 400 individual media interviews, with thousands of radio, TV and print stories released in the U.S. and abroad; trained close to 140 attorneys; and mentored 7 law school interns.

LIBERTY COUNSEL IS SHOWING UP -- AND WINNING!

From the inception of our litigation, which began in 1991, we have been blessed with an 82% win ratio. The few loses primarily include cases where someone else handled the original trial, and we came in on appeal to help take over the case, or where we filed amicus briefs supporting someone else’s case. Also, when you consider the fact that almost every case is unique, precedential, and that many contain issues that have never been tried before in the history of our country, the success is outstanding. In other words, these are not routine cases, and many times our victories have set new trends.

Thus, an 82% win ratio since our first official litigated case in 1991 is phenomenal. I don’t say that to boast, but to re-state the point – when we show up God is glorified.

We need to increase our capacity to show up and win. While growth can be exciting, it also can challenge our faith. For example, when God calls us to take the hill, we take the hill even though our army is small, understaffed and running out of ammo. If God really called us to “take the hill”, He will do two things: (1) magnify our human efforts and the results thereof far beyond their actual human capability, and (2) provide the resources, in many cases not at the eleventh hour, but at11:59! He wants us to live by faith.

Growth or following God’s will ALWAYS demands unwavering faith.

Though our religious liberties and family values are subjected to many assaults, I’m encouraged when I look at the victories we’ve achieved because I can clearly see the Lord’s guiding hand at work.

God has placed Liberty Counsel in the vortex of the cultural war. Relying on Him, we are working diligently to advance religious freedoms, sanctity of life, and the traditional family.

CASE-BY-CASE WE ARE GAINING GROUND IN THE BATTLE TO TAKE BACK AMERICA!

Some of the groundbreaking victories this year include:

In addition to these “first of a kind” victories, some other litigation victories this year include:

Remember, that with each victory we open doors and set new precedents upon which future cases can be won.

Clearly, America is engaged in a spiritual battle. We cannot continue to be apathetic about the erosion of our constitutionally guaranteed religious rights and freedoms. As believers, you and I have a window of opportunity to change the direction of this country. We must not neglect our responsibility.

In 2004, Liberty Counsel is focusing on two specific levels of attack in addition to case-by-case litigation.

First, our FAITH & FREEDOM daily radio program is broadcast nationally, highlighting current issues affecting religious freedoms.

This hard-hitting program provides listeners with vital information on current legal issues, while encouraging them to make disciples in the marketplace, the schoolhouse and the public square. The program also lets people know that they have a highly equipped friend at Liberty Counsel when they need one.

In addition to our current markets, we’ve just expanded the range of the FAITH & FREEDOM broadcast to include Boca Raton, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, Washington D.C., Portland, OR, Los Angeles, and Denver.

For the coming year we are preparing to extend your reach through radio to include dozens of other cities throughout the U.S.

Second, God has opened the door for Liberty Counsel to partner with Dr. Jerry Falwell to launch Liberty University School of Law. As Chairman of the Law School Steering Committee, I am placing the founding of the Center for Constitutional Litigation and Policy as a major priority of Liberty Counsel.

We will open a branch office within the law school, and through the Center will utilize all resources to provide practicing lawyers, law students and other leaders with specific training in constitutional policy that is not typically offered at traditional law schools. These include:

We’ll be building up and preparing new “troops” armed with what they need to battle for our freedoms -- and win.

What does all this really mean to you?

As the assaults on our religious freedom become increasingly hostile, to be truly successful, we need to help one another, taking a stand together on the frontlines and in the trenches.

I want you to be inspired…. I want to provide you with the tools you need so you can take seriously your role in reclaiming the God-ordained values upon which our country was founded. We have many free resources that can be the support for your efforts to Take Back America with us.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of why God is the foundation of government, how this nation has displaced God as its foundation, and what each of us can do in order to take back America!

Often when God called upon Israel to defeat an enemy, He instructed them not to stop until the enemy was completely defeated. WE ALREADY KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL. WE ALREADY KNOW VICTORY IS OURS — BUT WE MUST FIGHT!

Together we can raise a standard against the total moral decay of this country, but it will take PRAYER — and ACTION.

And now I’m asking you to consider extending your reach through us.

The victories won through Liberty Counsel this year have been landmark, but they are costly. Litigating a single case can run into thousands and thousands of dollars. As you may know, Liberty Counsel represents individuals pro bono. Our clients are never charged for our services.

Likewise, the production and airtime for our radio programming (which currently exceeds $25,000 a month) and the production of printed materials all come at a price.

JOIN WITH ME IN THIS ONGOING BATTLE THROUGH REGULAR PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

You don’t have to helplessly watch the erosion of the foundational truths of our country. You can be a part of the army God is raising up to defend and protect them instead.

When you invest $100, $250, $500, or even more, with LibertyCounsel, you are investing in a team of highly trained professionals dedicated to protecting your rights, renewing our American culture, and defending against every assault, in order to ensure that the door to the Gospel remains open.

We are called by our Lord to be salt and light. Let’s delight in honoring Him, as we salt our conversations with truth and refuse to let the culture put a basket over our light.

Each day more cases come forward. The ‘warriors’ at Liberty Counsel stand ready. Please, help.

JOIN IN THE FIGHT TO TAKE BACK AMERICA!

I look forward to our partnership.

May God’s grace and abundance be poured out on you and your family during this special season.

Onward in Him,

Mathew D. Staver

P.S. As the battles become more intense, please join the ranks of the Christian soldiers fighting for religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and the traditional family. Through your financial support you are extending your reach to TAKE BACK AMERICA.