by David K. Homes, Exec. Vice President & Chief Legacy Officer • 5 minutes
Religious liberty is a foundational principle of our republic – without it, our country will not survive. As a Christian organization, First Liberty is dedicated to its mission of fighting to advance religious liberty in America, for all Americans, now and in the future.
The current cultural environment in which believers must live is, unfortunately, undeniably hostile to faith. But Paul warns us about these dangers. Throughout his New Testament Epistles, he describes the dire circumstances the early church endured and warns that we should expect the same. It is happening now and may worsen in the future.
Our clients, many of them Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, often face devastating repercussions for simply trying to remain true to the principles of their faith. Their rights to practice their religion are exactly the rights protected by the free exercise clause expressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Most likely, you have not personally experienced the kind of trauma these folks have encountered, or maybe you have. If so, you can appreciate having someone come alongside you to enter the fray. Our team at First Liberty does just that. But will they be able to do so in the future if they are ever called upon to help your heirs face such horrid circumstances – exactly when it matters most to your family?
There is hope.
Our commitment is to help people of many faiths who cannot help themselves. Here at First Liberty, we earnestly ask for provision to fight the good fight, to run the good race, and to preserve the opportunity for the faithful to worship in the way they choose. The money First Liberty raises today is “here and now” funding that meets current needs. But what will the country look like in 25 years, and will we have what we need then?
Legacy planning ensures First Liberty has the resources to vigorously defend our religious liberty well beyond the present time. For example, wouldn’t you like to ensure that First Liberty someday stands with your granddaughter as she tries to pray before her gymnastics tournament and is shouted down? Those things could happen in America, are happening in America, and if we are not vigilant and apply financial resources at the right time and place, it will be a grim reality of everyday life. Administrations change, but our adversaries refuse to change their stripes. They are determined to kick God out of our public lives and devastate you and your family if you dare to stand up to the bullies. But we must prepare now for the future. This is where the economy, asset markets, and religious rights intersect.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a surrogate for “the market,” closed at 19,732.40 on January 20, 2017, the day Donald Trump was inaugurated, and rose to 30,814 by the close of January 15, 2021, shortly before he left office (a 56% gain). When Donald Trump took office for his second term on January 20, 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) stood at 43,487.83. In February 2026, the index rose significantly since his 2nd inaugural and is currently trading at over 50,000 for the first time. (roughly a 15% gain in a bit over a year). The S&P 500 stock index fared even better (66% and 16% for the same periods).
Within the next 7-8 years, if the DJIA stock performance echoes historic equity averages, the Dow will pass 100,000! Simply put, that run-up can fund the defense of your heirs’ religious rights – out there in the future. In our example above, we would be there, standing beside your granddaughter. Isn’t it worth investing dollars then in a firm with our track record of winning precedent-setting cases to assist her?
Get in touch with me to learn about ways you can use legacy planning for the future to do just that. Also, thank you very much for your current support!
Please help us meet our $3 million Will Challenge – just name us in your will, the easiest way to fund the future. The commitment isn’t binding – simply let us know of your intentions, and that will give us an idea of what our future funding might look like.
Thank you!!
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