by Jorge Gomez • 3 minutes
First Liberty just wrapped up an incredible year. 2025 was filled with unprecedented success and victories for religious liberty in America.
Now, with 2026 well under way, we have both challenges and opportunities to continue securing the blessings of liberty for generations to come. We’re starting the New Year with multiple legal battles for people of faith across America.
Here are six new cases we’re fighting—including three federal lawsuits. We’re counting on your prayers and support to deliver a victory for each of our clients.
1. Protecting LifeWise Academy’s Off-Campus Released-Time Bible Program
First Liberty is fighting in federal court for LifeWise Academy, a non-profit organization with a mission to bring Bible teaching to children in public schools through a released-time program.
We’re suing the Everett Public School District in Washington, challenging its regulations on permitted released-time religious instruction for students. Despite LifeWise having strong parental support and meeting all the necessary criteria, the school district has created obstacles for families who want their children to be in the program.
A member of the school board even admitted publicly that the district’s actions against LifeWise are out of intentional hostility toward religion.
2. Pennsylvania Township Won’t Allow Catholic Church to Build a New Chapel
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Collier Township, Pennsylvania was founded by refugees who fled communism and religious oppression. When the church applied to build a chapel and related facilities for prayer and worship, their plans were thwarted when the township refused most of the church’s proposals for its own property.
First Liberty filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the church, arguing that the township is imposing unreasonable restrictions and preventing the church from conducting religious services consistent with its historic traditions.
3. Federal Lawsuit Against Violent Agitators Who Disrupted Christian & Jewish Worship Services
First Liberty filed a federal lawsuit against violent agitators affiliated with Code Pink who disrupted multiple worship services in Southern California. We’re representing The Mission Church in Carlsbad and the Christian & Jewish Alliance, an interfaith organization in the San Diego area.
Both have suffered ongoing harassment as they seek to bring churches and synagogues together for worship and prayer. Posing as guests, disruptors infiltrated the sanctuary, yelling slurs until they were escorted out. Agitators also blocked entrances and blared loud sirens for three hours at an interfaith worship event.
U.S. Air Force Technical Sargeant Robert Durrant and his family live at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Durrant was told to remove his “Jesus is my King, Trump is my President” flag from his residence. He was given 48 hours to comply or face disciplinary action.
First Liberty sent a letter that explains why prohibiting Durrant from displaying his flag is a violation of the First Amendment and federal law. We’re asking the government landlord to confirm that he’s is not in violation of his lease and that he will be allowed to display his flag without restrictions, threats or any disciplinary action.
5. Michigan Town Fines Church for Holding Religious Activities in Newly Renovated Building
The Tarrington, a church in Windsor, Michigan, was fined for hosting weddings and religious events on its property.
First Liberty is defending the church, after town officials repeatedly tried to stop it from engaging in religious activity in its building, including issuing multiple citations.
Houses of worship should not be subject to such discrimination. We’re fighting to ensure the township withdraws the citations and allows the church to operate its full ministry at the property.
6. Tennessee School Rejects Students’ Faith-Based Sports Club
First Liberty represents Josh Gibbs and his middle- and elementary-age sons. Like many parents across America, Josh is a person of faith who wants his children to be surrounded by a Christian community while at school.
Josh’s older son participated in and enjoyed attending meetings through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where classmates gather to pray, share stories, and listen to a devotional from a member of the community.
Josh’s sons wanted to start and lead similar clubs. They began looking at first steps on how to apply. But the school district told both students “No.”
Our attorneys are working to make sure the Smith County Board of Education in Tennessee respects students’ rights to start faith-based sports clubs at their schools.
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