Press Release: Defund Planned Parenthood
March 6, 2025 Bob Vander Plaats Calls for Immediate Defunding of Planned Parenthood DES MOINES, IA – Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY Leader, is calling on…
Articles
Biblical Thinking on Current Events
Recent Articles
TFL honors legislators for championing family values
TFL honors legislators for championing family values
DES MOINES, Iowa - The FAMiLY Leader held its annual Family Champions Dinner on Tuesday, April 22, to honor the men and women who work in Iowa’s government to advance…
BVP’s Top 3: This Easter was different. Why?
BVP’s Top 3: This Easter was different. Why?
What a holiday! This Easter, America witnessed a radical difference in how presidents talk about faith, and the world woke up the next day to learn the Pope had died.…
Easter Column: Jesus modeled the leadership we need, not what we expect
Easter Column: Jesus modeled the leadership we need, not what we expect
by Greg Baker The following column appeared in the online edition of the Des Moines Register on Easter Sunday 2025. Over 2,000 years ago, the most powerful person in the…
BVP’s Top 3: As America’s top governor steps away, what about Bob?
BVP’s Top 3: As America’s top governor steps away, what about Bob?
Iowa's exemplary Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she will not be seeking reelection in 2026, leaving Iowa Republicans with a tough task ahead. BIG IDEA: Leadership is a higher calling…
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Special, pro-life episode
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Special, pro-life episode
Iowa's pro-life movement is taking ground, though not in the way everyone might expect. In this special episode, TFL spotlights the history of saving babies in Iowa and the new,…
BVP’s Top 3 – Trump’s tariffs require us to wise up
BVP’s Top 3 – Trump’s tariffs require us to wise up
Trump's tariff plans are dominating the news, and even some of his own party are pushing the panic button. BIG IDEA: We must persist to win. My top 3 takeaways…
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Great news at ‘2nd Funnel’ deadline!
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Great news at ‘2nd Funnel’ deadline!
The Iowa Legislature's "second funnel" has arrived, narrowing which bills live - and die - this session. And The FAMiLY Leader is excited to report a banner year for pro-life…
BVP’s Top 3 – Wake up to corporate ‘wokeism’!
BVP’s Top 3 – Wake up to corporate ‘wokeism’!
America may be rejecting "woke" ideology, but its tendrils run thicker and deeper than we realize. BIG IDEA: We need to wake up on "wokeism." 1. CORPORATE AMERICA WILL FORCE…
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Critical deadline approaching!
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Critical deadline approaching!
Iowa's "second funnel" deadline, which determines which bills live and die this session, is week away! The FAMiLY Leader's Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn update the status on key bills…
BVP’s Top 3 – Time to act on judges … again
BVP’s Top 3 – Time to act on judges … again
Unelected bureaucrats undermined President Trump after his first election in 2016. Today, unelected judges are doing the same. BIG IDEA: Trump needs to act on judges. 1. UNELECTED JUDGES ARE…
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Taking a stand against gambling
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Taking a stand against gambling
The FAMiLY Leader stands not on political parties, but on biblical issues. In this episode, TFL's Drew Zahn, Chuck Hurley, and Ryan Benn discuss why TFL is opposing a GOP-led…
TFL’s Capitol Connection podcast: Devil in the details
TFL’s Capitol Connection podcast: Devil in the details
Why is it so difficult to get common sense legislation - like protecting children online - passed through Congress? With insight you won't get anywhere else, TFL's Chuck Hurley and…
BVP’s Top 3 – ‘Saved to make America great again’
BVP’s Top 3 – ‘Saved to make America great again’
https://youtu.be/em8egFa5-Dg President Donald Trump is professing a new sense of purpose, asserting since the failed attempts on his life that he was "saved to make America great again." BIG IDEA:…
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Life at conception and first funnel
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Life at conception and first funnel
As the Iowa Legislature's "first funnel" deadline passes, some bills survived to be debated, and others - like "life at conception" - did not. TFL's Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn…
BVP’s Top 3 – March 3, 2025
BVP’s Top 3 – March 3, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XDU3cRNeS4 Common sense is making a comeback.1. RESTORING COMMON SENSE IS A TEAM EFFORTIt took a "trifecta" of Republican governor, House, and Senate to remove "gender identity" from Iowa's…
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Historic victory on sex & gender!
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Historic victory on sex & gender!
TFL's Chuck Hurley describes this week's win as "one of the most significant in my 34 years at the Iowa Capitol." Listen in as The FAMiLY Leader team discusses the…
FACT SHEET: Gender Identity and the Iowa Civil Rights Code
FACT SHEET: Gender Identity and the Iowa Civil Rights Code
What so-called "rights" are lost when "gender identity" is removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Code? Here, we dispel the myths about what this will, and will not, mean for…
WATCH: Closing Remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act
WATCH: Closing Remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act
WATCH: Representative Holt's closing remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act, which restores the rights of women by removing Gender Identity, based on feelings, as a protected class in…
BVP’s Top 3 – Iowa leads America on restoring “gender” reality
BVP’s Top 3 – Iowa leads America on restoring “gender” reality
https://youtu.be/-O7emEIl_N8 Bob Vander Plaats explains how YOU can make a difference in restoring common sense to "gender" laws. 1. IOWA GOES WHERE NO STATE HAS GONE BEFORE 23 U.S. states…
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Calling on YOU to restore common sense on ‘gender identity’
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Calling on YOU to restore common sense on ‘gender identity’
Legislators introduced an explosive new bill this week that defines sex as male and female — not "gender identity." The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join…
BVP’s Top 3 – February 18, 2025
BVP’s Top 3 – February 18, 2025
Bob Vander Plaats breaks down why the news media can’t handle President Trump’s latest moves—and why that’s a good thing.
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Doctors, DEI, and a special election
TFL’s Capitol Connection – Doctors, DEI, and a special election
The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Ryan Benn and Josiah Oleson join the podcast after standing in gap for you, testifying before legislators on issues like: Doctors' rights to serve patients…
BVP’s Top 3 – February 11, 2025
BVP’s Top 3 – February 11, 2025
Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY Leader, shares his top 3 news stories of the week.
Feb. 7, 2025 – Conflicts erupt, arrests made at Iowa Capitol
Feb. 7, 2025 – Conflicts erupt, arrests made at Iowa Capitol
The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join the podcast after an explosive week under the Golden Dome that included dueling rallies, protests, and arrests. Today's topics:…
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Life, homeschooling, more
TFL’s Capitol Connection: Life, homeschooling, more
The FAMiLY Leader's Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join the podcast after testifying on 20+ bills in the first two weeks of the Iowa legislative session, including: Life…
BVP’s Top 3 – January 28, 2025
BVP’s Top 3 – January 28, 2025
Bob Vander Plaats shares his top 3 reflections on President Trump's immediate impact just one week into his presidency.
Prayer Rally for Life: ‘A person’s value comes not from size, but from God’
Prayer Rally for Life: ‘A person’s value comes not from size, but from God’
DES MOINES, Iowa - Hundreds of Iowans joined with The FAMiLY Leader, The Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa…
BVP’s Top 3 – Bob’s key takeaways from the inauguration
BVP’s Top 3 – Bob’s key takeaways from the inauguration
Bob Vander Plaats and BlazeTV's Steve Deace watched President Donald Trump's Inaugural Address, and Bob shared his top 3 takeaways.
Top 5 takeaways: Gov. Reynolds’ Condition of the State
Top 5 takeaways: Gov. Reynolds’ Condition of the State
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her 2025 Condition of the State speech from the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Here’s a countdown of top takeaways you need to know:…
BVP’s Top 3 – January 13, 2025
BVP’s Top 3 – January 13, 2025
Bob talks with BlazeTV host Steve Deace about this week's top 3 stories: L.A. wildfires spark political change, megaphone of truth on Joe Rogan podcast, and bringing God back to…
Electing Donald Trump is not enough
Electing Donald Trump is not enough
What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
BVP’s Top 3: Polls, predictions, and prayers
BVP’s Top 3: Polls, predictions, and prayers
If Kamala Harris really is up 3 in Iowa, like a recent poll says, she will be the next president. But I don't buy it. This pollster has been wrong…
Christ warned Christians about sitting out elections
Christ warned Christians about sitting out elections
What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
BVP’s Top 3: Pastors, Joe Rogan, and Trump
BVP’s Top 3: Pastors, Joe Rogan, and Trump
41 million American Christians reportedly won't vote in this election. That's negligent and irresponsible. Pastors, this is an opportunity to teach. We are called to be salt and light; if…
BVP’s Top 3: Home prices, global leadership, and our citizenship
BVP’s Top 3: Home prices, global leadership, and our citizenship
What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
SUMMIT VIDEO: Highlights from FLS ’24
SUMMIT VIDEO: Highlights from FLS ’24
Catch a quick look at some of the best moments and some of the best speakers from The 2024 FAMiLY Leadership Summit.
TFL prioritizes empowering parents, protecting kids online
TFL prioritizes empowering parents, protecting kids online
The FAMiLY Leader is working on a new priority in 2024 — protecting kids online. The internet is everywhere in modern life. It’s an incredible tool and a blessing in…
Watch Now: Prayer and Worship at the Iowa Capitol
Watch Now: Prayer and Worship at the Iowa Capitol
The sounds of worship and prayer filled the Iowa Capitol Rotunda on Monday, Jan. 8, the opening day of the Iowa legislative session. This is the second annual prayer event,…
Re-watch: Top 10 moments from Thanksgiving Family Forum
Re-watch: Top 10 moments from Thanksgiving Family Forum
800 guests and the watching eyes of the world’s news media were focused on The 2023 Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum at the Marriott Hotel Downtown on Friday, Nov. 17, as three…
Read and Act
Whether it’s through prayer, partnership, or advocacy, this mission can be part of your mission. Together, we can honor God in the public square and make a real, lasting difference in our nation.
iNSPIRE the Church
iMPACT Elections
iNFLUENCE Policy
iGNITE Partnerships
