As we approach Christmas, our hearts are full. This season gives us a chance to pause, look back, and thank God for what He has done through faithful people like you.
Below are a few short reflections of gratitude from members at PA Family reflecting on what God is doing across our Commonwealth through your support and the work of PA Family Institute.
Kurt W.
Across our state, we meet with pastors and government officials at the Capitol and our state districts. Some know the Lord, and others may not. Together, we read the Bible and pray. We see leaders encouraged and reminded that their calling to public service is sacred work.
When we minister to these leaders, something meaningful happens. Hearts soften. Government officials begin to think about righteous things, like truth, justice, compassion, and integrity. There is also a shift in pastors. They see firsthand the weighty challenges our leaders face, and they feel compelled to equip their congregations to engage faithfully.
The fruit is undeniable.
We have seen Democrat legislators, whom we regularly minister to, change their minds on protecting girls’ sports, standing up for fairness, and affirming biological truth. A few months ago, a state Senator told me they voted in favor of the girls’ sports bill because it was the righteous thing to do. Praise God for that courage.
We have also seen bipartisan support grow to protect children from the harms of pornography. Even in a divided culture, when the Church engages, hearts find common ground on what is good and right. Leaders are becoming more open than ever to faith-based initiatives and partnerships that strengthen communities and address needs that the government cannot solve.
That is what the Church Ambassador Network is all about.
We connect the shepherds of the Church with the shepherds of government, so that, under the leadership of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, His love and truth can shape our state for good.
Michael K.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be the presence of Christ with our legislators. I am grateful for the many pastors who partner with us to bring the Word of God to the Capitol and pray with our elected leaders. I am thankful for the ways God moves as relationships are built and the clear value of the Church in our communities.
I am also deeply grateful for the support that allows us to do this work with strength and impact. Legislators often thank our team for being present in the Capitol. We have seen unlikely partnerships form that bring glory to God.
We know seeds are being planted and nurtured as we serve in the name of Jesus, bringing shepherds of the Church and shepherds of government together.
Caleb S.
This year, I am thankful for the next generation.
You are investing in the next generation by helping make City on the Hill possible. Our world needs wise, godly leadership, and those future leaders will come from today’s youth.
This year marked 25 years of City on the Hill. For a quarter century, young people have been equipped, encouraged, and inspired to engage the culture, while standing on the objective truth of the Bible. This was our biggest year yet, impacting 82 students. Over 25 years, more than 1,000 young people have been transformed through this program.
City on the Hill students go on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, and public servants. Some have even become rocket scientists or worked in the White House. More importantly, many arrive at City on the Hill with fear or uncertainty and leave with courage, conviction, and clarity.
A 2025 student shared, “In just five days, City on the Hill has changed my life for the better. I’ve grown in my leadership, my faith, and my confidence. It is refreshing to be in a place where Christian ideas are celebrated. In one week, I gained lifelong friends, memories, and skills for any career.”
Thank you for investing in the next generation of leaders who will protect life, family, and religious liberty.
Dan B.
Five years ago, Truth on Weed began with a simple vision: to equip Pennsylvanians with the facts about the push to commercialize marijuana. That vision became a reality because a committed donor believed this work mattered.
That early investment continues to bear fruit. Just weeks ago, we learned the marijuana industry was funding Mike Tyson’s trip to Harrisburg to lobby lawmakers. Within hours, Truth on Weed mobilized. Partnering with Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), we launched a mobile billboard campaign around the Capitol that cut through the celebrity spectacle and led to multiple media stories.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of SAM, said, “Thanks to the invaluable Truth on Weed and Dan Bartkowiak for bringing the heat locally. It could not be more important.”
What truly makes this possible is your sustaining partnership with PA Family. You give families across Pennsylvania a voice strong enough to counter the marijuana industry’s money and influence.
There is a real human cost at stake. Parents continue to share heartbreaking stories of how high-potency THC products have harmed their children. I am grateful for every parent who has been brave enough to share their story so others can be spared.
As we look ahead, we are praying for partners who will continue to fuel this work so we can respond quickly, speak truth clearly, and protect children and communities.
Emily K.
I am thankful for everyone who has taken action by emailing, calling, writing, and meeting with legislators to protect women’s sports in Pennsylvania. I am thankful for courageous young women, like Lily Williams, who have spoken boldly to coaches, school administrators, school boards, and lawmakers.
I am thankful for the dads and moms who have stood up at school board meetings and talked with friends and neighbors about why girls deserve fairness and safety in sports. I am thankful for the leadership of Rep. Barb Gleim, Rep. Martina White, Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, Rep. Clint Owlett, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, Sen. Judy Ward, and others who have worked faithfully to advance these protections.
Josue S.
October was the anniversary of my first year on the PA Family team and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I am so grateful for the faithfulness and support of each one of you: your voice mattered.
Some of you found us for the first time through a social media video from the Capitol. Some of you signed up for email alerts because you wanted clarity in the noise. Some of you took one extra minute to click “send” and contact your legislator.
That may have felt small at the moment. It was not.
As I look back this year, I see that we sent out a total of 14 action alerts, resulting in historic levels of civic engagement across Pennsylvania, with the top 5 alerts alone generating thousands of direct messages to lawmakers. This represents real people choosing to engage rather than tune out. I can’t express enough how encouraging that is to us.
Strategically, this matters. Because of you, we are a trusted mobilizing force, capable of generating thousands of constituent contacts during key legislative moments. That kind of engagement changes conversations, slows bad bills, strengthens good ones, and gives lawmakers the courage to do the right thing when the pressure is intense
If you are new here, welcome. You are not alone, and you are not late. If you have been with us for years, thank you for staying steady. You are the hero in this story. PA Family’s role is simply to guide, inform, and make it easier for you to take action when it counts.
Thank you for standing with us.
A Christmas Blessing
As Christmas approaches, we want you to know how grateful we are for you. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support makes this work possible. You are part of every conversation, every student impacted, every leader prayed for, and every truth spoken.
May the joy of Christ’s birth fill your home and may God bless you and your family this Christmas season.
And as a final reminder, every gift given to PA Family before December 31 will be doubled thanks to a $45,000 matching challenge grant, helping extend this work even further into the new year. Click here to make an end-of-year gift now.
