First Liberty Live!

Honoring the Brave

Saturday November 11^th is Veterans Day. In honor of their sacrifices, we at First Liberty wish to thank all veterans and current service members for their service and to encourage all Americans to live lives worthy of their many sacrifices.

Today, we’re hosting a very special episode of First Liberty Live! with our very own veteran and Marine Reservist Mike Berry.

In his civilian capacity, Mike shares his perspective on how the military’s hostility towards faith is negatively impacting its ability to recruit and retain service members.

And as bonus, Mike will give us some timely case updates on The Navy SEALs, VA Nurse Stephanie Carter and Space Force Reservist Jace Yarbrough.

How Revival Came to Auburn

This week on First Liberty Live! you’ll get to hear from Tonya Prewett, one of the organizers for a college campus revival ministry called Unite Auburn.

This night of worship for college students at Auburn University brought thousands of students together. Some even got baptized at the event. But, it caused a negative outcry after football coach Hugh Freeze assisted in the baptism of one of his players during the revival event.

First Liberty Live! host Stuart Shepard asks Tonya about the event and how other colleges are trying to exercise their religious liberty by organizing similar revivals. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Defending California Charter Schools

This week on First Liberty Live! we’re talking about how we’re defending religious education in California.

The state is blocking families from using state homeschool funds because these families choose to use a faith-based curriculum.

That’s wrong. It’s also unconstitutional. 

First Liberty’s Justin Butterfield joins us to explain how our Supreme Court victory in Carson v. Makin impacts this fight. He’ll unpack how the government can’t exclude families in state funding programs when it comes to religious education.

Get the latest update on our federal lawsuit to stop California’s blatant discrimination. You don’t want to miss it!

Censorship in the Space Force

This week on First Liberty Live! you’ll get to know our client Jace Yarbrough. This patriot’s military career as a reservist in the United States Space Force is on the verge of ruin. He’s being punished for something he said as a civilian at a small private retirement ceremony that he presided over for a close friend in his off-duty capacity.

Motivated by his religious beliefs, Jace quoted prominent Christian Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn, widely known for his powerful essay titled, “Live Not by Lies.” Jace’s speech warned about dishonesty and a growing cancel culture in our country, including in the military.

First Liberty’s Danielle Runyan joins us to unpack this case. Don’t miss hearing about Jace’s story and what we’re doing to stop censorship in the Space Force.

Why Scripture Can’t Be Canceled

With school back in full swing, students, teachers and parents are hard at work – but so are the enemies of faith.

On this week’s Live!, we sit down with our new client, Heather Rooks, who was sent a cease-and-desist letter after quoting Bible verses at a Peoria School Board meeting.

Heather shares what happened and why she brings faith into her role as a school board member. We’re also joined by First Liberty’s Hiram Sasser, who will unpack the case and explain why all public employees have a right to express their beliefs.

You won’t want to miss this new case update!

Freeze Alert: Defending Auburn’s Football Coach

This week on First Liberty Live! we’re talking about how we’re standing with Auburn’s football coach Hugh Freeze.

Anti-religion activists are coming hard after Coach Freeze. Why? Because he went to “Unite Auburn,” an after-hours worship event.

They’re upset because he participated in one of his player’s baptisms. To be clear, the student asked Coach Freeze if he would help baptize him.

In this episode, you’ll get a complete update from First Liberty’s Jeremy Dys and hear how our precedent-setting Supreme Court victory for Joe Kennedy protects Coach Freeze.

Learn more about Auburn Football Coach Hugh Freeze >>

Restoring Faith in America & A Special Client Update

This week, the First Liberty Live! team is checking in from Family Research Council’s Pray, Vote, Stand conference in our nation’s capital.

During the conference, First Liberty’s Matt Krause stopped by to discuss the next steps you can take to help Restore Faith in America. This growing movement of hope is the means to expand your religious liberty throughout your community in ways it hasn’t been allowed in the last 50 years.

We also received a surprise visit from Jacob Kersey. Jacob, the Georgia police officer who was forced to resign after he was told he couldn’t share religious beliefs on his social media account, joined to us to provide an update on how he’s advocating for our First Freedom from Washington, D.C.

 

Learn more about Restoring Faith in your community »

Read about Jacob Kersey’s fight for faith »

 

Why They Won’t Let Them Meet

We’re visiting a historic black church in Texas that is facing backlash from city officials who are blocking the church from renovating their building.

First Liberty attorney Jeremy Dys joins us to unpack this case and explain how our First Amendment protects the right of this congregation to operate free from government interference.

Plus, you won’t want to miss our touching interview with church leadership Dr. Donald and Mrs. Wanda Wesson.

Defending a Rabbi’s Faith

What would you do if you were asked to stop praying – in your own home? That’s what happened to Rabbi Levi Illulian when the City of Beverly Hills targeted him for having religious gatherings at his house.

City officials sent Rabbi Levi a letter of violation when neighbors complained about him hosting family and friends to pray and observe Shabbat. Officials further harassed him by staking out his home and taking pictures of his guests.

First Liberty attorney Ryan Gardner will unpack the details on this new case and explain how we’re defending Rabbi Levi’s right to live out his faith.

American Legion Awards

This year, we are honoring our client Kenny Vaughan with the Onderdonk Religious Liberty Award. This award is presented at the American Legion National Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kenny continues to fight for Shields of Strength, his faith-based company that graciously provides replica dog tags with inspirational Bible verses to active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and their families.

The American Legion also honors First Liberty with the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal. This is the highest award bestowed by The Legion.

Learn more about Kenny Vaughan’s Onderdonk Religious Liberty Award »

Learn more about First Liberty’s Distinguished Service Medal »