government

Woke Inclusivity is Really Radical Exclusion of Christians

According to her official bio published by the state of California, Jennifer Newsom, wife of Governor Gavin Newsom, is the “First Partner” of the state. To leave no confusion as to why she’s not listed as the “First Lady,” the posting explains the distinction is designed:

To send a signal of inclusivity, recognizing that one day there will be a woman or LGBTQ+ Governor of California, and to elevate the importance of partnership and the need for, and benefits of, a caring, inclusive government.

A 2022 interview with Mrs. Newsom has recently resurfaced on social media that only amplifies this worldview – and also adds context to the many challenges Christian believers are facing in today’s culture.

Speaking with Elex Michaelson, who was with Fox in 2022 but is now with CNN, the wife of the California governor was making an impassioned plea for why we can learn a whole lot from same-sex couples.

“Someone’s got to do the care work in a same-sex male couple,” she explained.“Someone’s got to do that, so I’m just going to do it. And … not be afraid or ashamed because it’s part of being human.”

She continued:

“We’re all on a spectrum, right? It’s just how society kind of pushes us and pressures us into these limiting gender roles. But again, the folks on the far right, [what] they’re missing is just this, they’re living in this silo, this evangelical conservative silo that ultimately is pulling us back as a country to a time and a place where we don’t deserve to be. And we’re not going to be, because honestly, young women and fathers of daughters are awake now and they’re woke, and they’re not going to let us go back.”

Mrs. Newsom said this resistance to traditional Christian beliefs filled her with “so much hope” and that when it comes to objections to these multi-millennia-old norms, “California has a huge responsibility to lead.”

There’s no question the Golden State has been on the leading edge when it comes to pushing “woke” policies that are hostile to conservative evangelical convictions.

From forcing pro-life clinics to advertise abortion and insurers to cover it, mandating schools include curriculum that not only affirms but elevates LGBT propaganda, banning counseling services for minors struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction, banning the alleged misuse of pronouns, and requiring faith-based adoption agencies to place children in homes led by same-sex couples, California has been a training ground for radical policies for a very long time.

But what is this “evangelical conservative silo” that Mrs. Newsom claims is dragging California and the world back to the dark ages?

Clearly, she’s taking issue with Christian believers who are advocating and championing biblical truths: that God made two genders, marriage is between one man and one woman, and it’s best when children are raised in the safety and security of their biological or adoptive mother and father.

Those who claim conservative evangelical convictions are somehow backwards or culturally dangerous appear ignorant of the instrumental, foundational influence those beliefs have had on society – including in California.

It was Spanish Christian missionaries who helped settle the state. In fact, the 21 original Catholic missions still exist. From San Francisco Solano in the north to San Diego in the south, the goal was to introduce the Native Americans already there and newly arriving people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. But the goal wasn’t only spiritual. From the conversions sprang a commercial revolution as the newly created colonial outposts helped establish trade and provisions for the growing population.

Over the years, this same Christian missionary zeal has led nationwide to the formation of hospitals and medical schools, nursing homes, adoption and child welfare agencies, the defense of human rights, the elevation of women from second-class status, and countless inventions and businesses that have changed the world.

This so-called “silo” is anything but exclusionary but is, instead, radically and dramatically inclusionary, and not a “silo” at all.

When was the last time a Christian hospital refused to treat a non-Christian? Have you ever heard about a Christian charity declining to help someone based on their ideological beliefs?

If Mrs. Newsom is so committed to “inclusivity” why is she so eager to exclude evangelical conservatives from the conversation?

Secretary-elect Markwayne Mullin: Faith, Family and Public Service

Senator Markwayne Mullin, President Trump’s choice to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, is often seen walking the halls of the U.S. Capitol wearing his signature cowboy hat and boots — and bouncing a pink rubber ball.

It’s an old habit the Oklahoma rancher and Sooner Hall of Fame wrestler traces back to middle school, a tactic used to concentrate and maybe even burn off some energy.

Washington, D.C. is full of characters with eclectic interests, and Secretary-elect Mullin is no exception. But to ask him, the Cherokee Nation member will tell you his life can be boiled down to three priorities:

“It’s God,” he said. “I mess up on Him all the time. It’s family, and then everything else. And they come in that order.”

Senator Mullin says he grew up in a Christian home, but didn’t turn his heart over the Lord until he was an adult.

“Well, I was raised in church my whole life,” he told Fox News’ Shannon Bream. “But I went to church out of respect for my parents. You know, my parents, they didn’t force it on us. They just expected us to go to church every Sunday and every Wednesday. And so, even though I moved out of the house when I was 15, I still didn’t miss a church service, just out of respect for my parents. But I wasn’t living for the Lord.”

Markwayne met Christie, his now wife of 28 years, in high school. They obviously loved each other, but also fought too much. He recalls a specific incident and being disgusted with himself for his agitation and pettiness. 

“I just apologized to her,” he said. “I decided I didn’t want to live my life that way. That wasn’t something I wanted to do.”

On that very Sunday he asked for forgiveness, he suggested they go to an Assemblies of God church around the corner from their apartment. 

“Two weeks later, I gave my heart to the Lord, literally gave my heart to the Lord,” he recalled. “There’s a difference in going to church, attending church, and actually serving the Lord. And I gave my heart to the Lord in August of ‘97, and I’ve screwed up a lot since then. I still tell everybody I’m one mistake away of being exposed to the hypocrite that I’m in, or that I am, because I’m very capable of messing up. But I tell you what, when I’m trying to serve the Lord, I have a lot less screw-ups. Not that I’m perfect, but my life has changed in ways that I never thought was possible.”

The Mullins are blessed with six children — three biological and three they had the privilege of adopting. 

“I say we have three that came naturally, and three we chose, or three we got stuck with,” he said. “I always joke when I’m around them. I say, ‘Which one do you think we love the most?’ I love my family.”

Senator Mullin says he’s not looking forward to the empty nest. That’s because children and work are his hobbies. “I don’t party, I don’t drink, I don’t play golf. I used to race motorcycles.”

Having served five terms in the House of Representatives and in the Senate since 2023, the former MMA fighter has been fiercely protective of Saturday and Sunday.

“The weekend is with my family,” he says. “If my family isn’t going with me, I’m not going. You’re never going to get me to do anything on Sunday.”

The senator says he measures his effectiveness by how he’s doing in the home.

“What’s the point of being successful in life, in business, or in politics, if you’ve lost your family along the way? If they’re not a priority to you and you don’t make them a priority … If you had the world and you’ve lost your family, you have nothing.”

Sound familiar? Warned Jesus: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). 

Senator Mullin, who will have his hands full leading the Department of Homeland Security, is deserving and in need of our prayers. But long before his appointment, he described his daily routine — and it’s a discipline that will serve him well in his new assignment:

“I get up every morning and I pray that the Lord would give me the wisdom to know the good from the bad, and open doors He wants me to go through and shut the doors that He doesn’t — and not let me have one lazy bone in my body.”

Whether leading Homeland Security or your own home, that’s a good prayer for all of us. 

A Look at Life-Affirming Federal Policy Changes

Two recent federal policy decisions — expanding the Mexico City Policy and ending the federal practice of research on aborted fetal tissue — signify decisive steps towards aligning government action with respect for preborn human life.

At issue is the simple question: Should Americans be required to fund or promote abortion with taxpayer dollars? Polling consistently shows a clear majority of Americans say no, and now federal policy reflects those beliefs.

A 2026 Marist poll found that 69% of Americans oppose using taxpayer funds to support abortion services in other countries. Even in a nation deeply divided over the legality of abortion, Americans overwhelmingly agree — they should not be forced to fund or promote abortion beyond our borders.

Funding Abortion, DEI and Gender Ideology Abroad

The expanded Mexico City Policy, titled “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Policy,” addresses three new policy areas to strengthen the life-affirming value of human dignity, including abortion, DEI and gender ideology.

The Mexico City Policy was established by President Reagan over 40 years ago.  In the time since, pro-abortion administrations have rescinded the rule, while pro-life administrations have reinstated it.

Historically, the policy applied to a narrow slice of foreign aid, about $300-$600 million in international family-planning funding.

Today, the new rule applies to almost all non-military foreign aid — nearly $40 billion impacting more than 160 countries.

The expanded rule on abortion, entitled “Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance,” aims to promote human flourishing by closing loopholes under the old policy that still allowed taxpayer dollars to subsidize abortion.

The rule expands the scope of the policy in three ways.

First, it applies the restriction not only to foreign non-governmental organizations, but also to United States non-governmental organizations, international organizations and foreign governments. Second, the rule applies to all non-military foreign aid, not just funds for healthcare assistance. Third, the rule provides more clarity in defining the scope of prohibited activities.

The United States continues to fund maternal care, disease prevention, nutrition, clean water and lifesaving treatments worldwide.

This rule change sends a clear message — American generosity should not be used to advance abortion.

For millions of Americans who believe it’s wrong to export abortion through foreign aid, this policy change represents long-overdue accountability.

In addition, the policy now also addresses programs promoting gender ideology that rejects biological reality, titled “Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance,” and DEI initiatives that many Americans believe undermine equality, entitled “Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance.”

Supporters see this as a natural extension of the policy’s original purpose — to ensure American generosity does not subsidize practices or ideologies that do not value human life.

Critics argue that this expansion moves beyond abortion into broader social policy-making.

But supporters respond that the rule does not prohibit any activity. It simply ensures that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not used to advance programs that disregard fundamental truths about human dignity or the reality of biological sex.

The inclusion of gender ideology and DEI provisions shifts the Mexico City Policy from a narrow health rule into a broader framework.

Practically. U.S. foreign aid may now depend not only on whether an organization performs abortions, but also on whether its policies reject the biological reality of sex or favor DEI outcomes.

Supporters see this change as closing a loophole that allowed taxpayers to fund a worldview that conflicts with human dignity.

Research on Aborted Babies

The second policy shift addresses how federal dollars are used for domestic research.

For many years, some federally funded research projects have relied on fetal tissue secured from elective abortions.

The policy change was announced by the National Institute for Health (NIH) at the end of January. NIH confirms that research using human fetal tissue has been in decline since 2019. In Fiscal Year 2024, there were 77 NIH-funded research projects using human fetal tissue.

Critics of the change caution that fetal tissue has historically contributed to scientific progress.

Supporters contend that research on fetal tissue raises serious ethical concerns, alternatives now exist, and medical advancement should not rely on the remains of aborted babies.

According to NIH, their decision to stop supporting research on aborted human fetal tissue is linked to the increasing availability of alternative technology, including induced pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells.

NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya expressed his support for the change in a public statement, “NIH has undertaken a clear-eyed reassessment of long-standing research approaches to determine their relevance and value in today’s rapidly evolving scientific landscape. Central to this review is NIH’s responsibility to ensure that research supported by taxpayer funds is scientifically rigorous, ethically sound, and justified by a maximal return on the public’s investment.”

In a request for information published simultaneously, NIH announced it is seeking public comment about emerging biotechnology to reduce or replace human embryonic stem cell research entirely.

This policy change conveys the belief that true scientific advancement must not depend on ethically compromised science.

Ethical Accountability in Federal Policy

For the pro-life movement, these changes represent tangible progress. Public funding is not morally neutral.

For decades, abortion policy debates have focused on legality. These policy changes ask a different question: Is it morally acceptable to force taxpayers to fund abortion? 

Recent federal action reflects a government willing to say no and instead recognize the value and significance of preborn human life while respecting the conscience of U.S. taxpayers.

If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.

Related articles and resources:

My Choice Network

I’m Pregnant, Now What?

Dealing With an Unplanned Pregnancy

Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate

New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill

Overcoming Abortion and Becoming a Force for Life

Pastor Son’s Trial and the Crisis in South Korea

A few thousand worshippers at last week’s Sunday service at Segero Church in the city of Busan, South Korea, sang loudly, “All my life, you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, so good …. I will sing of the goodness of God.” The song is appropriate for a congregation that has grown so dramatically from about 20 members a few decades ago to a 23-acre campus buzzing with life and activity. After the service, dozens of church members prepared free lunch for everyone who wished to stay, as they do every week.

This practice, an elder told me, makes it possible for the church to also offer meals for the wedding celebrations that take place at Segero Church nearly every weekend, at no charge to the marrying couples. It is an essential way for the church to address the crisis of the nation’s declining marriage and fertility rates, among the lowest in the world, though you would not know it from the hundreds of young people gathered at the stage to sing each service. Last year, the church also started a Christian school.

And yet, since August, the lead pastor of Segero Church has been in prison, accused by the government of election interference. I visited Pastor Son, hoping to encourage him. Instead, he encouraged me, and I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. He gave me courage, like he has for his three children, who advocate on his behalf; the elders and pastors of the church, some of whom are also being targeted by the state; and his wife, who spends most nights sleeping and praying at the church. Meanwhile, during the time he has been imprisoned, Pastor Son has written a book and is sharing the Gospel with his fellow inmates.

It may be that Pastor Son, in his zeal to speak out against the current administration’s progressive, socialist, and pro-LGBTQ platform, violated the letter of South Korean law. At best, that might merit a fine. Instead, he has been arrested, threatened with 16 charges, held in jail pending his trial, and faces significant prison time. The intent of the government is clear. Like the state of Colorado did for Jack Phillips, the process is the punishment. It is meant to elicit fear and silence dissent.

I asked if the government’s attempts at intimidation was working, or if other pastors and Christians were speaking out. Many had spoken out, I was told. But many others had not. They, like many Americans, believe that Christians should avoid politics altogether.

Of course, Christians just across the border in communist North Korea have no luxury of even having an opinion. There, I learned from a tour guide, a Bible will earn you a lifetime sentence in a hard labor camp. There is no freedom, religious or otherwise. There’s also not enough food.

South Korea, on the other hand, is an economic miracle. Industry, infrastructure, and innovation abound. Seventy-five years after the communist North invaded the free South, the results are in, and it’s not even close. South Koreans have every reason to sing of the goodness of God. And that is why they also have every reason to be concerned by the outrageous treatment of Pastor Son, as well as the many other ways the current party in power is compromising religious freedom.

Years ago, Chuck Colson warned of alarming language being used by certain American political leaders. Instead of “religious freedom,” they referred to “freedom of worship.” There’s an essential difference, said Colson, between the freedom to order one’s public life around their deeply held convictions and merely allowing someone to believe what they want in their own heads, hearts, homes, and houses of worship. Thankfully, in the years since, American courts have consistently upheld true religious freedom, but not because progressive lawmakers, politicians, and judges haven’t tried their best to chip away at it.

This seems to be what is currently happening in South Korea. If it does happen, it will be because of both progressive lawmakers who hope to sideline any religious resistance to their agenda and because of Christians who were willing to have their convictions sidelined. And it would be a tragedy.

Please pray for Pastor Son, his wife, and his children. Please pray for the leaders and members of Segero Church, that they would remain faithful and courageous during this time. Please pray for his trial and sentencing, which is scheduled for the end of this month. And please consider signing the petition launched by the Christian Broadcasting Network, asking our government to speak out on behalf of Pastor Son.