Family Action Council of Tennessee: News and Notes

This Month’s Updates:

Crisscrossing the State, from Bristol to Memphis
Ministers’ Day on the Hill Fast Approaching, March 17
The Truth Project: Worldview Training
Lauren George to Join FACT

Crisscrossing the State, from Bristol to Memphis

(March 2, 2009) – Last month was a busy month for FACT’s President, David Fowler, and Director of Church and Community Relations, David Shelley, as they literally crisscrossed the state meeting with old friends and supporters and making new ones. “This month we have had a wonderful series of meetings from Bristol to Memphis and various points in-between,” said Mr. Fowler.

“We were able to reach several hundred people during our time with Focus on the Family at the Truth Project training held in the Tri-Cities and at the great missions fair put on by Bellevue Baptist in Memphis,” said Dr. Shelley. “Focus and Bellevue Baptist were so gracious to allow us to share who we are and what we are doing with their respective constituencies.”

In addition, Mr. Fowler and Dr. Shelley were able to take to the airways several times this past month. Dr. Shelley noted that the American Family Radio network in Jackson was gracious to allow him and Mr. Fowler two drive-time opportunities to share about what FACT does as an organization and about some of the important issues coming up this legislation session. And Mr. Fowler had the opportunity to be a guest on radio programs airing in Memphis on the Bott radio network, Your Conservative Voice and LifeChoices’ Life and Liberty program. “We are so grateful to these stations and programs for giving us an opportunity to get the word out. Scripture says that the people perish for lack of knowledge, and if we do not know what is going on in our state legislature and our state’s public squares, we may someday find a state we no longer recognize as the family-friendly environment it has been,” said Mr. Fowler.

Citizens who would like to take a more active role in keeping Tennessee a family-friendly state are encouraged to consider becoming a Friend of the Family.

(March 2, 2009) – With the third annual Ministers’ Day on the Hill quickly approaching on March 17, Dr. David Shelley, FACT’s Director of Church and Community Relations and a bi-vocational pastor in the Nashville area, has been reaching out to local ministerial and denominational associations to spread the word about the importance of the day’s event.

Ministers’ Day on the Hill is a day for ministers across the state of Tennessee to assemble at our state Capitol for worship, fellowship, education and ministry to our state legislators.

“As I meet with pastors across our state I realize how few know what is happening at our state Capitol that impacts families and the values that so many Christians hold dear,” said Dr. Shelley, who also serves as a pastor for a Nashville area church. “And it’s not really that surprising because the demands on pastors are so great, and there has not been anyone reaching out to put together a day when they can get the information they need.”

Dr. Shelley noted that there are an increasing number of issues where laws and religious liberty are coming into conflict. “At Ministers’ Day former Senator Fowler will highlight some of these issues that really every minister needs to know about. As Martin Niemoller said in Hitler’s day, if we don’t speak up now, there may be no one to speak for us in the years to come.”

A brochure about Ministers Day on the Hill can be easily downloaded from FACT’s Web site and distributed to one’s minister. “We hope a number of concerned citizens will make sure their minister knows about Ministers’ Day and encourage his or her participation,” said Dr. Shelley.

(March 2, 2009) – As interest in The Truth Project grows in Tennessee, FACT is in the process of becoming an authorized small group trainer by Focus on the Family, creators of the biblical worldview DVD series.

“It was great to see 700 people, most of whom were from Tennessee, at the Focus-led training in Johnson City last month. But there are so many more Tennesseans who would really benefit from going through this series, and we hope we can provide timely and convenient training session across the state,” said David Fowler, FACT’s President.

After a year of ironing out the details of a partnership with Focus on the Family, FACT is on the cusp of being able to offer half-day training session for those who would like to get the DVDs and lead a small group study. “We still need about $1,000 to have the technology required to run the trainings in accord with Focus’ protocol and materials, but once we have that money in hand, we will be ready to go,” said Dr. Shelley, who will be in charge of coordinating those trainings.

If your church or a group of churches in your area are interested in having a training session convenient to you, please contact Dr. Shelley at david.shelley@FACTn.org.

(March 2, 2009) – FACT is excited to announce an addition to its team, Lauren George, who will serve in a part-time capacity as the office manager and event coordinator.

“Mrs. George will be a great asset to our team, having a real passion for what we are doing along with some great experience from which we will benefit. She will be a great blessing. And her help could not have come at a better time,” said Mr. Fowler, FACT’s president.

Mrs. George is a native of Nashville, having just returned to the city in recent years with her husband and daughter. Mrs. George’s background is in communications and public relations. For four years she coordinated speaking engagements for attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund as well as its over 100 fundraising events annually.

For her part, Mrs. George said it was “exciting to be able to put her experience and passion for the culture environment in her home state to good use. I’m really looking forward to being a part of what FACT is doing and the impact I believe it will have.”