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WHO WE ARE
Mission/Vison

Who We Are

The Mission

Inspiring the Church to engage Government for the advance of God’s Kingdom and the strengthening of Family.

The Vision

The FAMiLY Leader wants to see a revived America that honors God and blesses people.

The Name

The little "i" reminds us that it's not about us.
We're going to let Him lead The FAMiLY Leader.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

What We Stand For

Education

We believe that parents are entrusted by God with directing the upbringing and education of their children. We believe that parents from all socio-economic backgrounds should be able to choose the type of education, whether public or private, religious or home schooling, that reflects their values and the needs of their children.

Life

We believe that human life is of inestimable worth and significance from conception to natural death. This reverence for the sanctity of life obligates us to actively support public policy that protects innocent life, including opposition to abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

Elections & Government

We believe that human life is of inestimable worth and significance from conception to natural death. This reverence for the sanctity of life obligates us to actively support public policy that protects innocent life, including opposition to abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia.

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe human sexuality to be God’s gift to us, designed and intended for our good within the bond of a committed, lifelong marriage between a man and woman. We support public policy that benefits families and encourages individuals toward healthy, biblical marriages; and we oppose policy that encourages individuals to pursue alternate means of sexual expression or fulfillment, including, but not limited to fornication, pornography, prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, and transgenderism.

Religious Liberty

We believe every individual is responsible before God in matters of faith and conscience, and thus we affirm a God-given right to free exercise of religion, both for individuals and organizations. We support policy that ensures faith can be freely exercised and acted upon without fear of unjust government interference, not only within personal or church life, but also in the public sphere.

Our Story

Where We Started

The FAMiLY Leader was birthed in 1996 as the Iowa Family Policy Center through Dr. James Dobson's vision of local organizations in each of America's 50 states advocating for righteous, God-honoring public policy. 

Through the years, however, we learned that enacting righteous policy falls short if there aren't godly, righteous leaders in government. And further growth revealed that not even winning elections is enough to turn the tide of a culture in need of revival. Rediscovering Christ-like leadership and returning to the heart of God requires engagement from Christ's Body, the Church. 

Since 2010, The FAMiLY Leader has been pioneering a new (and, technically, very old) approach to engaging government not from a policy-first perspective, and never from a partisan angle, but by coming alongside the Church in its gospel-first mission to transform lives and transform culture. The true power to change America lies in the Church becoming the salt and light Christ intended in the home, in the community, and in the government

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Our Team

Executive Team

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field

Bob Vander Plaats
President and CEO
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Darla Vander Plaats
Ministry Partner
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Nick Ludema
Chief of Staff
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Angie Long
Director of Business Operations
CAN Team

Church Ambassador Network

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Greg Baker
Executive Vice President
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Denise Bubeck
Deputy Director
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Brian Allen
Director of Operations
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Léo Lazarini
Director of Church Engagement
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Noah Meyers
Regional Coordinator
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Kathy Van solen
IF 7:14 Prayer Ambassador
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Tim Lubinus
Project Coordinator
EP Team

Elections and Policy

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Chuck Hurley
Vice President and Chief Counsel
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Ryan Benn
Director of Policy
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Danny Carroll
Family Advocate

Advancement

Advancement Team
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Kristin Phillips
Director of Advancement
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Duane Nordquist
Advancement Specialist
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Bryan Lee
CRM Manager
Comms Team

Communications

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Drew Zahn
Director of Communications
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Glen Cornell
Multi-Media Director
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Kate McGovern
Director of Events
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Ana Hibbs
Content Coordinator
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