Jul 18, 2023 | News, Wisconsin Family Voice
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law last Friday banning most abortions after a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, just weeks after the Iowa Supreme Court blocked a similar law. The bill signing took place at The Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of nearly 2,000 faith-based conservatives organized by The Family Leader, a state family policy council in Iowa. The governor told the sold-out crowd, “the most important human rights cause of our time [is] protecting unborn human lives from the atrocity of abortion.”
“All life is precious and worthy of the protection of our laws,” Reynolds added. “Everyone understands that a heartbeat signifies life, and we understand that when it falls silent, something precious has been lost.”
Reynolds also acknowledged with gratitude who was in the audience— pro-life activists, saying, “You have lifted us in prayer, grounded me in God’s Word, and reminded me that He is always in control.”
I was privileged to be at that event and to meet Governor Reynolds. The crowd went crazy in applause for the governor and for the at least 50 pro-life legislators flanked her as she signed this bill.
One of the other speakers at the Summit was Pastor Alistair Begg who did a session on the importance of having a biblical worldview. As he wrapped up his remarks, he gave three words that he said should characterize leaders: integrity, bravery, and humility.
From what I can discern about Governor Kim Reynolds, especially after listening to numerous Iowans who actually know her quite well, she epitomizes these characteristics. Because of her, people like me have “governor envy,” as we consider what Wisconsin could be like if we had leaders anywhere in our government who were people of integrity, bravery, and humility.
These are leaders who do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reason, even if no one is watching— that’s integrity. Such leaders have the courage of their convictions and are willing to do hard things in the face of adversity because doing right is always good and right.
Leaders in every walk of life who exhibit integrity, bravery, and humility are rare indeed, and the world is starved for them. We are doing all we can to help develop these types of leaders this week during our LEAD Wisconsin teen worldview and leadership camp.
At LEAD Wisconsin, 125 teens are undergoing biblical worldview training and are having opportunities to develop leadership skills, all while being encouraged in word and example to be people who have integrity and who are brave and humble.
Who knows? Maybe from this week of LEAD Wisconsin will one day come another Kim Reynolds who will lead a state, business, church, or school well for the glory of God and the good of the people they are leading. We work and pray to that end.
Jul 8, 2022 | News, Wisconsin Family Voice
Wisconsin has increasingly deviated from biblical principles. In order to restore our culture and change the course of our state, we need to raise up Christians who are equipped with godly character to be leaders in their families, schools, and professions.
For the second year in a row, Wisconsin Family Council is hosting LEAD Wisconsin, a week-long camp built on a government and civics platform with the purpose of equipping teens to become effective godly leaders who engage the culture from a biblical perspective.
Last year, we had an unbelievable week carrying out that purpose! We saw three campers come to faith in Christ, spontaneous revival, and amazing work all week long as the teens heard practical presentations on biblical worldview, gained leadership experience, and grappled with the bills they supported and opposed.
This year, from July 10-15, campers ages 13-19 will again experience authentic leadership simulations, engage in biblical worldview discussions, take part in faith-building worship, and build relationships with other teens.
Over 100 campers are attending this year and almost half are alumni from last year. Over 40 crew members will come to minister to the teens as counselors, chaperones, and other camp helpers.
First year campers are in the Assembly Track while returning campers are in either the Senate Track or the Media Track. Only five campers are in the Media Track, selected by an application process.
Alumni campers will role-play as state senators and take up challenging tasks by offering amendments to bills and engaging in open debate.
Through the media track, campers will cover all camp events. The LEAD News Network’s (LNN) print publication, “The LEADer,” is a daily newspaper featuring the latest news, updates and opinion pieces—all written by the Media Track campers. LNN produces a broadcast shown at the end of the week during the commissioning ceremony. This track focuses on Journalism and Reporting, Writing and Research, Videography and Photography, Interviewing, Editing, and Media Ethics.
For all LEAD WI attendees, trained instructors will discuss abortion, religious freedom, worldviews, creationism, leadership, marriage and family, racial issues, and social media. The teens will gain crucial life-skills that they will need as Christian leaders in a secular culture.
Joseph Backholm with Family Research Council is our worldview speaker this year. Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA will also join us for an afternoon.
Other speakers include Pastor Curtis McMiller from Kenosha; Jacky Drewry with Anchor of Hope pregnancy care/medical center in Sheboygan; Daniel Suhr, former legal counsel to Gov. Scott Walker and former Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov Rebecca Kleefisch; and Dave Gerry, a Christian businessman in Madison.
Sustaining the vitality of our society depends on the modeling of and transferring of those moral and social ideals to the next generation. This is exactly what WFC intends to do.
Please pray for LEAD WI during the week of July 10-15: for our speakers as they prepare and deliver, for our teens as they listen and engage, and for God to move in amazing ways as we help build the next generation of Christian leaders.
