Five years ago, Ron Prentice was vice president of Public Affairs at Focus on the Family.
Today, he's in the fight of his life.
As chief executive officer of the California Family Council (CFC), he is helping to lead the battle to protect marriage in the Golden State. The CFC is associated with Focus on the Family.
In November, California will vote on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. In May, the state's highest court struck down a voter-approved statute protecting traditional marriage, thus legalizing same-sex "marriage."
Mid-battle, Prentice will be honored at Values Voter Summit 2008 with Focus on the Family Action's Family Champion Award.
Dr. James Dobson thanked Prentice in his June newsletter and called Californians to action: "Organize. Plan. Give. Campaign. Talk to neighbors and friends. Get out the vote. Leave no stone unturned. Above all, pray for God's will to be done. Everything depends on the outcome. Do not be afraid of criticism and ridicule. It goes with the territory. But what you are doing is right. I am as certain of that as anything I have said in the past 35 years.
Prentice took time to talk with CitizenLink this week.
1. Did you ever imagine you'd be where you are, fighting for marriage in a state that has decided same-sex "marriage" is legal?
Over my 10 years of employment with Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, hundreds of people from communities across the country thanked me for serving “on the front lines.” I would respond to each person that they were doing the “front line” work in their churches, schools and neighborhoods. I had no doubt that starting California Family Council (CFC) would be an overwhelming task. The CFC board of directors knew that it was only a matter of time before the courts would attack traditional marriage. It is by God’s grace and the faithful prayers of many people that a marriage amendment was placed on the November ballot prior to the arrogant decision of the Supreme Court.
2. Is the Golden State fight for marriage unique?
The decision by the California Supreme Court allows same-sex couples who reside in other states to "marry" in California. These couples return to their states of residence with intentions to press their own courts for legal recognition. In other words, the California decision was a national decision! The federal marriage laws will be contested in short order. The marriage battle in California will be the most costly campaign ever on the issue, with a projection of more than $100 million being raised and spent between both sides.
3. Describe a typical day.
One or two radio or print interviews, one or two conference calls with strategic campaign committees, e-mail and phone communications, and supervising the ongoing work of California Family Council. Calls from the East Coast start early and some people never sleep! It isn’t uncommon for multiple members of the ProtectMarriage.com executive committee to be corresponding after midnight.
(ProtectMarriage.com is a broad-based coalition of California families, community leaders, religious leaders, pro-family organizations and individuals who have joined together to support traditional marriage.)
4. Why is marriage worth protecting?
The marriage relationship – between only a man and a woman – is God-ordained. For thousands of years societies have endorsed and supported the marriage covenant because of the benefits that marriage provides to women, men, and especially children. Same-sex "marriage" is the most radical human experiment yet, putting children at risk and threatening generational stability! The purpose of marriage has been undermined so that now the Supreme Court of California has determined that marriage is only about two adults, Party A and Party B. If the traditional definition of marriage is not restored and placed into the California constitution, every child in public school will be indoctrinated to believe there is no difference between traditional and homosexual marriages, and “marriage” will continue its decline as an institution. This is precisely the goal of the pro-homosexual agenda.
5. How can our readers support you and pray for you?
The staff members of California Family Council and the many people involved in the ProtectMarriage.com coalition know that we are covered by the prayers of thousands of people across the country. We have also received over $9 million from more than 25,000 people. We have a long way to go in this campaign, and seek God’s continued protection. Several California and national fundraising efforts are just now unfolding, and the marriage campaign truly needs another $20 million of financial support. Thanks for asking!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ron Prentice joined Stuart Shepard on a recent Focus Action video webcast.
Paid for by ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8, a Project of California Renewal. 2150 River Plaza Dr Ste 150, Sacramento CA 95833. Major funding by Knights of Columbus, American Family Association, National Organization for Marriage California, and Focus on the Family.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
