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WHO WE ARE
Mission/Vison

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.

Who We Are

WHAT WE STAND FOR

What We Stand For

Life

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.

Education

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.

Elections and Government

Elections & Government

The FAMiLY Leader seeks to encourage the election of Christ-like leaders and promote righteous policy that honors God and blesses people. The FAMiLY Leader also equips voters and elected representatives to be a voice for biblical values in government.  

Marriage and Sexuality

Marriage

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

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

Matthew 9:38

Bob Vander Plaats
Bob Vander Plaats
President and CEO
Nick Ludema
Nick Ludema
Assistant to the President
Darla Vander Plaats
Darla Vander Plaats
Ministry Partner
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Angie Long
Chief Operating Officer
CAN Team

Church Ambassador Network

Greg Baker
Greg Baker
Executive Vice President
Brian Allen
Brian Allen
Director of Operations
Noah Meyers
Noah Meyers
Regional Coordinator
Tim Lubinus
Tim Lubinus
Project Coordinator
Nino Gonzalez
Nino Gonzalez
Director of Church Engagement;
Senior Director, San Antonio, TX
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Ryan Johnson
Senior Director, Houston, TX
Denise Bubeck
Denise Bubeck
Deputy Director
Leo Lazarini
Léo Lazarini
Director of Church Engagement
Kathy Van Solen
Kathy Van Solen
IF 7:14 Prayer Ambassador
Bryan English
Bryan English
Executive Director, Texas
Ed Upton
Ed Upton
Senior Director, Fort Worth, TX
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Matt Henslee
Regional Coordinator, Dallas, TX
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Doug James
Senior Director, Central TX
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Lanay Fournier
Director of Strategic Partnerships for The Daniel Impact
EP Team

Elections and Policy

Chuck Hurley
Chuck Hurley
Vice President and Chief Counsel
Ryan Benn
Ryan Benn
Legal Counsel & Director of Policy
Danny Carroll
Danny Carroll
Family Advocate
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Josiah Oleson
Director of Elections & Family Advocate

Advancement

Advancement Team
Kristin Phillips
Kristin Phillips
Director of Advancement
Jon Dunwell
Jon Dunwell
Director of Outreach and Engagement
Bryan Lee
Bryan Lee
CRM Manager
Duane Nordquist
Duane Nordquist
Advancement Specialist
Comms Team

Communications

Drew Zahn
Drew Zahn
Director of Communications
Glen Cornell
Glen Cornell
Multi-Media Director
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Kate McGovern
Events & Marketing

Board Members

Dave Kutscher
Dave Kutscher
Chair of the Board
Steve Boender
Steve Boender
Secretary of the Board
Mark Gilbreath
Mark Gilbreath
Board Member
Dave Van Wyk
Dave Van Wyk
Board Member
Dr. Todd Troll
Dr. Todd Troll
Vice Chair of the Board
Pastor Monte Knudsen
Pastor Monte Knudsen
Chaplain of the Board
Denny Hanson
Denny Hanson
Board Member
Jody Wohlenhaus
Jody Wohlenhaus
Board Member
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