Last Wednesday, I presented argument at the Court of Appeals on behalf of Pastor Ken Graves and Calvary Chapel of Bangor against ME Gov. Janet Mills’ unlawful church shutdown orders. Although she has now rescinded her orders, we want to make sure Mills does not reinstate them. I’ll share more about the incredible story of this special church. — Mat

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Long before ME Gov. Janet Mills decided to illegally and unconstitutionally attack the churches of her state, Ken Graves was raised up as a warrior for the Lord. Born in what the pastor describes as one of the poorest parts of the state, Ken was the son of a hardcore alcoholic whose addiction brought heartbreaking violence upon their young family. Graves’ father eventually left the family, leaving yet more poverty and pain in his wake.

Through God’s grace, in his teens, Ken stumbled across a copy of The Cross and the Switchblade, a biographical account of David Wilkerson’s Christian outreach to drug-addicted gang members. God’s abundant love described in that book struck a chord with Ken, helping him to see beyond his own pain and freeing him from his father’s bondage. With this new freedom, young Ken knew exactly what his life work would be. Called to be a pastor, he wanted to minister to alcoholics and drug abusers.

At 16, Ken dropped out of high school, traveled to the nearest of David Wilkerson’s Teen Challenge facilities and insisted they take him in to their program. The request was unusual because Ken was not an addict, not a gang member and not homeless. Instead, he was a determined teenager who heard the Lord’s call to share the good news of God’s redeeming love with those who, like his father, suffered under the torment of addiction.

Ken moved into that Teen Challenge facility and earned an apprenticeship under some of the finest Christian leaders of the time. Then, at 23, he began a church with a home Bible study, then a jail ministry to reach “his” people—those from broken homes and hurting, often addicted souls—and many who had never been exposed to the Word of God. These people needed the kind of redemption that only God’s care and compassion can accomplish.

Today, Calvary Chapel serves the needs of the entire community. But on campus, there are residential homes for recovering men and women. This yearlong live-in recovery program for addicts in need of rescue is the heart of the ministry. At any given time, Calvary houses 48 desperate people “relearning life” through the lens of the Cross.

But the COVID pandemic brought trouble to Calvary Chapel.

When Gov. Mills issued her COVID stay-at-home orders in 2020, she made many exceptions but none for religious assembly. NO worship was allowed under the governor’s initial order, no matter what. Yet she deemed liquor stores, abortion clinics and marijuana dispensaries “essential.”

Under Janet Mills’ orders, social services were “essential” … but only if they didn’t mention the Word of God or include religious content.

Gathering for secular meetings, including substance abuse, job training, mentoring, feeding and housing, were deemed essential, while the one thing that could save those addicts—the church—was ordered closed!

Under Gov. Mills’ COVID shutdown orders, you could conduct employment counseling in the church but not Bible studies; feed the stomach but not the soul; shelter the body but not shelter under the wings of God. Nonreligious services to an unlimited number of people were permitted. But the moment a Bible was opened—even as part of a life skills, food, shelter or addiction program—the entire operation violated Gov. Mills’ illegal orders. As such, Pastor Graves, members of his church and participants in his recovery program became “criminals” under Mills’ unlawful orders.

Risking punishment, Ken would not secularize the program and stop the essential reason the recovery ministry works.

Pastor Graves determined to stay open—for all his flock—even if the governor tried to bar the doors. He answered to God, not Caesar!

Despite threats of criminal charges, fines and even potential imprisonment, Pastor Graves continued to preach, and Calvary Chapel fought to remain open.

Despite nearly two years in court, and the now obvious lawless tyranny of the COVID shutdowns, Gov. Mills is unrepentant. While she has finally forced to allow churches to reopen, Mills continues to claim that she has the power to shut down churches at her discretion and at any time.

Last week in court. On Wednesday, April 6, I presented oral argument at the Court of Appeals yet again, defending Pastor Graves and Calvary Chapel. We want to quarantine Mills from ever again issuing unlawful orders.

Today in court. Today, I return to court on behalf of our service members facing the unlawful shot mandates. I will update you as soon as possible.

It is unconstitutional for ANY governor to ban people from exercising their right to assemble and worship. We set national precedent with our church case wins at the Supreme Court in December 2020 and February 2021.

We will continue to fight until every barrier to religious freedom is destroyed!

I am honored to stand with Pastor Graves, and all the other faithful people who have come under attack by these COVID restrictions and mandates. YOUR generosity means that NONE of these people go without legal defense, no matter how long their cases take to resolve.

COVID has been used to restrict freedom and control us. Liberty Counsel has never before faced such a crushing need for our legal work. Help us keep religious liberty free by supporting our legal fund today. Please prayerfully consider making a recurring monthly gift that will be DOUBLED IN IMPACT by the Challenge Grant.

May God be with you in all things.

In Christ,

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel