Three Courageous Voices Share How They Stood For Truth
CHINO HILLS, CA — Standing for truth and righteousness can be costly, and yet it’s what Christians throughout history have done and continue to do. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12) At this past weekend’s Pray Vote Stand Summit 2025 by Family Research Council, hosted at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, faith leaders gathered to discuss some of the most pressing political, religious, family, and cultural issues happening today. Among the speakers, including Pastor Jack Hibbs, Tony Perkins, Michelle Bachman, Lila Rose, and Larry Elder, the weekend also featured stories of conviction, courage, and standing firm on biblical truth, even in the face of personal and professional attacks.
Pastor Luke Ash: Fired For Standing On Biblical Truth
Pastor Luke Ash shared how he lost his library job for refusing to use biologically inaccurate pronouns. “I’m not going to lie,” Ash said. “It kind of reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…we will stand for truth even if it costs us.” Represented by Liberty Counsel, Ash is now part of a petition drive seeking reinstatement and changes to the library’s gender policies.
Ash reflected on the support he received from the Christian community: “I’ve seen God’s love for me and surrounding me with people who love the Lord and are willing to stand with me. I’ve received letters from people who support the stand that I’ve taken…even those letters that I’ve received that are hate mail.”
State Rep. Laurel Libby: Defending Fairness And Biological Reality
Representative Laurel Libby (R-Maine) recounted her fight in a liberal-leaning state legislature against boys competing in girls’ sports. Libby was censured and temporarily stripped of her ability to vote for her constituents. “I refused to apologize…two weeks later, we filed suit, and the Supreme Court ruled that they had to count my vote,” she said.
Libby emphasized the ripple effect of her courage: “After I took my stand, we saw young women around the state sharing their experience…she spoke up about her experience. She had been pushed aside on a podium by another young man competing in girls’ sports…she’s made a huge impact.”
Jason McGuire: Lawfare, Jail, And Unwavering Faith
Jason McGuire, Executive Director of New York Families Action, shared how he was targeted by Attorney General Letitia James in a campaign of “lawfare.” After years of subpoenas, producing thousands of documents, and legal battles over minor clerical errors, McGuire served 53 days of intermittent weekend jail time.
Despite the ordeal, McGuire credited the Christian community with sustaining him: “God’s people stood with us…they would gather outside the jail every Friday to pray, sing, and encourage.” He recalled the small miracle of a Bible appearing in his cell: “I woke up…saw that someone had left a copy of a Bible folded up between the bars of my cell…that came in response to the prayers of God’s people.”
Standing With Courage
Tony Perkins highlighted the common thread among all three: courage in the face of persecution. “When men and women like this are attacked for standing for the biblical truth…what are we to do? Stand with them? Absolutely,” he said, encouraging attendees to support those who take a stand for faith and family.
The summit reminded everyone that courage begets courage—and that standing for truth often comes at a cost. But, as Ash, Libby, and McGuire demonstrated, it is always worth it.
