Last month, the Hoosier Leadership Series met at the Indiana Statehouse to get a behind the scenes look at governance – the theme of the class. The agenda was packed with interesting and educational speakers, from State Representative Peggy Mayfield, who began the session by explaining how a bill becomes a law with an interactive simulation, to Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, who gave an update on Indiana’s unique financial situation and the vital responsibilities of the Comptroller’s office. Students were also treated to a guided tour of the historic Statehouse.
After lunch in the atrium of the Statehouse, B23 Strategies led the class in a leadership assessment where class members were invited to explore and develop their leadership styles, which they will continue to build on throughout the course at each monthly meeting.
If you’re interested in taking part in next year’s Hoosier Leadership Series, you can apply here, or email HLS Direct Valerie Swack with any questions: valerie@hoosierfamily.org. This class is an excellent way to learn how to apply your faith in a more effective way within the public square. We highly encourage you to consider participating next year!
Last week our Church Ambassador Network (CAN) Director and General Counsel Josh Hershberger sent out an excellent email to our church network regarding Colorado’s bill challenging parental rights, addressing “Pride Month,” and providing a brief SCOTUS update. These topics are deeply important to us at IFI, and we know you’ll benefit from Josh’s analysis. Read his email below:
The Challenge to Parental Rights in Colorado
Pastor Tate Throndson leads a growing church he planted in Colorado, and he developed strong concerns about a recent Colorado bill challenging parental rights (HB 1312). In addition to preaching on biblical principles related to identity and human sexuality, he signed up and showed up to testify against HB 1312-along with more than 700 Coloradans.
In this interview, Pastor Tate Throndson explains why and how he engages in public life, how he disciples his congregation in the area of citizenship, his experience at the Colorado State Capitol at the hearing in HB 1312, and why other church leaders and committed Christians should promote biblical principles in their churches and in the public square.
Colorado is one of only nine states that do not have a family policy council like IFI defending faith, family, and freedom in their communities and legislature. This attack on parental rights showcases the importance of organizations like ours standing as the first line of defense for parents and families. In fact, IFI was the first state in the nation to protect parental rights from this sort of evil. We will continue standing in the gap for Indiana families and supporting other states in their fight to do the same. Will you consider contributing financially toward that mission today?
How to Respond to Pride Month; The Curious Rise of the Religious Left (Revisited)
With the arrival of June comes the often-asked questions about how Christians and the Church should respond to Pride Month. Here are three thoughts. Also, the culture war in the United States has, to a large degree, been a contest between the religious right and a more secular left. No movement is a monolith, and this does not tell the whole story of the struggle for the soul of America. But the religious right/secular left divide has generally and accurately characterized American public life for some time. That is changing now with the rise (or, perhaps, resurgence; see comments below) of the religious left. Here is an analysis of this development and what it means for Christian citizenship moving forward. Link to the article here.
Supreme Court Update: Religious Exemptions and Employment Discrimination Take Center Stage
The Supreme Court handed down two remarkable opinions last week: In Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor and & Industry Review Commission, Justice Sotomayor wrote the unanimous opinion that Wisconsin and specifically the Wisconsin Supreme Court imposed a denominational preference (and violated First Amendment neutrality) by refusing a religious exemption to Catholic Charities because they “do not proselytize or serve only Catholics.” This case strongly underlines the First Amendment’s requirement that Courts defer to religious doctrine and practice and remain neutral toward religion. Link to the case here.
In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, Justice Jackson wrote the unanimous opinion that individuals in majority and minority groups are equally protected in the employment context. The court held that a heterosexual woman does not have to meet a special burden to prove employment discrimination if passed over for promotion due to her sexual orientation. And Justice Jackson concluded, “Congress left no room for courts to impose special requirements on majority-group plaintiffs alone.” In short, equal protection means equal protection.Link to the case here.
If you found this helpful, we encourage you to subscribe to Josh’s weekly emails and support his work at the Good Citizen Project!
Did you know that IFI supported a measure this year to ensure that 100% of Indiana families are eligible for school choice, regardless of income? We stood on the front lines of the battle for educational freedom in our state, and we’re proud to say that we achieved not just onevictory, but SIX education wins this session.
As part of Indiana’s biennial $45 billion budget, legislators were able to expand school choice eligibility to 100% of Indiana families with no income restrictions beginning at the start of next year. This move allows parents to bypass what was previously a burdensome process in determining eligibility based on income. Starting in 2026, household income will no longer stand between Hoosier families and getting their tax dollars back to choose the best educational options for their children.
We’d like to thank the Indiana Non-Public Education Association, the Indiana Catholic Conference, and the Institute for Quality Education for their leadership on school choice and their commitment to creating a state where parents can choose the best educational option for their children, regardless of zip code or income.
Part of this bill would allow high school students who enroll in a one-credit-hour elective to receive religious instruction for that course with parental permission. This would enable Christian ministries like LifeWise Academy to teach the Bible to high school students off-site and without taxpayer dollars if the student wants to participate and their parents agree. In other words, we can help public school students learn the Bible and deepen their relationship with God during the school day. What a blessing!
LifeWise has been an incredible partner to IFI and is the sponsor of HLS’s upcoming education day in July. Learn more about LifeWise here!
This measure would require school boards to approve any teaching on human sexuality before it is included in the curriculum, and the material must be posted online “in a conspicuous place” so parents can access it. This common-sense bill strengthens parental rights and ensures schools are transparent about what is being taught to students.
Senate Bill 289 – “Limitations On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion”
This bill would prohibit K-12 schools from teaching or promoting to students the idea that “one race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior to another.” It would also restrict state educational institutions and other agencies from running DEI programs, and bar state funding from institutions that require or advocate for DEI training.
This law prohibits state employers, colleges, and universities from requiring prospective employees or students to take extra skill tests if they were homeschooled. The bill establishes that a high school diploma or credential issued by a non-accredited nonpublic school is legally sufficient to demonstrate that the recipient has met the requirements to complete high school.
This statute removes language restricting school corporations from entering into a contract with a religiously affiliated nonprofit preschool program. This is great news for Christian families in our state who want their children’s early education to reflect the biblical values they learn at home.
Check out the video below for an overview of IFI’s most successful legislative session to date:
This week marks the beginning of June – a wonderful month of warmer weather, outdoor activities, and kids home for the summer. But unfortunately, June also marks the sinful celebration of “Pride Month.” While we expect far less of the brazen promotion of the LGBT lifestyle this year than we’ve seen in years past, mostly due to the massiveboycotts in 2023 and 2024, we encourage you to still carefully consider where you spend money this month (and every month).
While many corporations are staying silent out of fear of consumer backlash, others are gearing up for a month of celebration through words of support, brand collaborations, and merch.
Sesame Street – the children’s program – is gaining attention for once again publishing a “Pride Month” message on the first of June. Let’s call this for what it is – indoctrination and grooming. Kids should never be exposed to adult sexuality or radical gender ideology. “Pride” messages have no place in children’s programming. If you notice any “Pride” events in your area that are advertising to children and families, please let us know by responding to any of our emails so we can warn other Indiana parents and bring light to the issue.
When shopping this month, keep an eye out for the usual woke culprits – Target, Apple, Proctor & Gamble, Nike, and even the local stores you frequent. Where you spend your money matters! Levi’s, Converse, Puma, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and many other clothing brands have already announced “Pride Collections.” We encourage you to make a conscious effort to find alternatives to brands that are intentionally disrespecting Christian values by embracing the LGBT agenda. Public Square is a great platform that promotes America-first, “anti-woke” brands.
If you’re wondering how Christians should respond to the ungodliness of “Pride Month” in a Christ-like manner, take a listen to this podcast from IFI’s General Council and Church Ambassador Network Director Josh Hershberger.
At IFI, we’re tired of seeing our culture idolize the wickedness of the LGBT agenda. That’s why our central mission is to promote biblical values in the public square and political realm. Please consider joining us in the fight by making a financial contribution today:
Throughout the 2025 Legislative Session, we sent you updates on dozens of bills the IFI team was faithfully pursuing with our partners in the legislature to create an Indiana where God is honored and families can flourish. What you didn’t see was the behind-the-scenes work our Church Ambassador Network (CAN) was involved in. From building relationships between pastors and government officials to forming partnerships on tough issues like foster care, the drug crisis, and mental health, CAN was equipping and encouraging Christians to confidently and faithfully engage in government. IFI’s incredible success in the session was greatly aided by CAN’s involvement.
CAN has flourished under IFI General Counsel Josh Hershberger’s leadership and that of CAN Deputy Director Gerson Cardona, and we are proud to share that during this year’s session, CAN created 1,204 connections between pastors and governing officials (connection = meaningful conversation of several minutes). Over 240 of those connections were with members of the state executive branch, including Governor Mike Braun, Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith, Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, Secretary of State Diego Morales, and new Department of Child Services Director Adam Krupp. These critical relationships contributed to the successful passage of the parental rights bill and other important measures, resulting in IFI’s most successful session to date. We now have the remarkable opportunity to partner with Governor Braun and his administration to impact the issue of foster care and addiction through CAN.
CAN is gaining statewide attention and was recently featured in a Baptist Press article, where one pastor shared: “Josh is doing incredible and eye-opening work, bridging the gap between politics and faith.” That’s exactly what CAN was created to do – to build relationships between pastors and governing officials for the purpose of ministering to them and partnering with them for the common good. Our ultimate goal is to see our cities, state, and nation transformed through the power of the Gospel. For the first time in CAN’s history, we ministered to 90% of House Republicans, 90% of House Democrats, 90% of Senate Democrats, and 92% of Senate Republicans. Praise God!
We also launched a new strategy called “denominational days” this session, and they were a great success! Read more about this new strategy here. Thank you to all of the network and denominational leaders who organized and led these days!
If you believe in this mission and would like to get involved with the Church Ambassador Network, please reach out to Josh Hershberger at josh@hoosierfamily.org for more details. As always, our work would not be possible without your support. Please prayerfully consider donating to CAN so we can continue to build meaningful relationships between pastors and government officials, uniting on the issues that matter most to our communities.
