Maine now has the most severe illegal restrictions on churches in the nation. Following the decision by the Supreme Court striking down the total ban on worship in California, the executive orders by ME Gov. Janet Mills replace CA as the most restrictive state. We’re taking her to the Supreme Court. Read on to learn more about this outrageous case of anti-religious discrimination, and what we are doing to stop it. – Mat 

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Yesterday, Liberty Counsel filed with the Supreme Court for an emergency injunction pending appeal against Gov. Janet Mills’ unconstitutional discrimination against churches and religious gatherings.

The Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom. Sadly, too many governors don’t obey the Constitution. This is now the fifth church case Liberty Counsel has filed with the Supreme Court since May 2020.

In Maine, churches may offer food, shelter and counseling -- including addiction recovery counseling -- to any number of people. But if the group worships or studies the Bible, there can be no more than 50 people.

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This is a problem for faith-based addiction recovery centers like Calvary Chapel, which houses 48 recovering addicts at a time. When the pastoral and counseling team come together with the residents, the number exceeds Gov. Mills’ arbitrary and unconstitutional church limits.

According to Gov. Mills, the moment that group opens a Bible or preaches the Word, the recovery program is operating illegally, and everyone involved – program members and pastors alike - faces massive fines and jail time.

And because many addicts are on probation as a result of their addictions, the simple act of attending church could land them in prison.

And the 50-person limit leaves no room for other church members or attendees.

But if these same folks were to meet for NON-religious addiction care, there would be no numerical cap on attendees at all. ME Gov. Mills’ 50-person cap is obvious and blatant discrimination.

Church attendance is the answer, not the problem...

Studies show that regular churchgoers are the only group whose mental health did not decline in 2020 compared to 2019. In fact, their mental health improved. That is why our fight for the church is so important. Our fight for freedom is really to save America… and folks like Emily Heggens.

Emily’s Story…

Emily Heggenes was the second person to graduate from the Calvary Chapel of Bangor, ME, residential discipleship program, sixteen years ago. Emily wrote about her addiction and recovery this fall, detailing the fundamental importance of God’s Word as a part of addiction recovery...

“Scared and empty I walked into that door, when my parents left, I crumbled, but I was where God wanted me. He met me there, through the many ladies who poured themselves out on all of us who were there. I learned again about the Love of God toward us all and I learned about surrender. Though far from perfected I graduated the program. This was all just the beginning of my walk with the Lord...

It’s by the grace of God that I walk with Him, because He leads me and has taught me to know the sound of His voice and to seek Him in all things. I have so many new testimonies of what God has done in my life since this moment 16 years ago today, but I felt like today I needed to share about my drug addiction in hopes that it will give someone out there struggling a hope. No matter how far away you feel and no matter how bad you think you are, God is waiting for you and He can and will restore the years that have been eaten up.”

Calvary Chapel Pastor Ken Graves grew up with an alcoholic father who left the family poor. God used Ken’s brokenness to start a church that eventually became Calvary Chapel of Bangor. One of the ministries of this amazing church includes a year-long residential discipleship recovery program.

But that community of recovering addicts is in danger, along with millions of other Americans, because of lockdowns and illegal restrictions on churches and pastors.

Worship and Bible study are fundamentally necessary to the addiction recovery program. At first, when Pastor Ken faced a total ban on in-person worship, he defied the orders and risked arrest and fines. Even now, with just the 48 residents, the group exceeds the 50-person limit when counting the pastoral staff. Yet, in-person worship is essential.

People are dying . . .

According to the CDC, the U.S. recorded the highest number ever of overdose deaths in 2020. More than 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred during the pandemic shutdowns, the most ever recorded during a 12-month period... and emergency room doctors say that number is growing daily. The American Medical Association says if these rates continue, the U.S. will shatter all previous overdose and suicide rates.

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The COVID shutdowns have bankrupted family businesses, increased poverty, destroyed jobs and livelihoods while isolating people from their strongest support systems. This creates a perfect storm of stress pushing people back into addiction, and even suicide.

Yet, despite the data, rogue governors like Janet Mills continue to restrict the one place where help is statistically proven to be found – the church.

So, we drug Gov. Mills to the Supreme Court, where we have requested an emergency injunction against these restrictions until the Supreme Court hears the full merits of our case.

We need your help to keep the churches free...

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I want to leave you with some encouraging words from Emily...

“No matter how far away you feel and no matter how bad you think you are, God is waiting for you and He can and will restore the years that have been eaten up.”

Mat Staver

Founder & Chairman

P.S. Don't forget about the extended Challenge Grant which will DOUBLE THE IMPACT of every donation given today.