January-March Highlights
Hello – Nicole here.
Times flies. So often we are too focused on the next deadline to reflect on the milestones and blessings passing us by.
I am guilty of this same thing. But when I look back at all that God has accomplished just in the beginning of this year, and how truth was advanced, I am in awe.
At the beginning of the year, we added a new member to our team – 21 year old Rich Bryant, who is an incoming Delaware Leadership Congress student, and engaged to be married this year.
Listen to my interview with Rich here on the Forged Podcast.
Together with our Policy Analyst Nandi Gamble, Rich had a front row seat to the process of recognizing and responding to policy that directly affects Delaware families. From a free speech bill to questions about “baby selling,” the discussion has been intense already – and this is only the beginning.
As we are entrenched in policy, we are immensely grateful for the missionary work of Jon Quatela, and the Delaware pastors that accompany him to Legislative Hall. They have embraced government as their mission field, and minister to the souls of the people they encounter there, with encouragement, prayer, discipleship, and often simply a listening ear.
God is moving! Despite discouraging headlines, there is an undercurrent of broken relationships being restored, renewed interest in the values that we once all shared, exposure and rejection of deception, and a rise in courage. We see years of cultivation bearing fruit as people are strategically placed to take territory in hearts and minds.
As you scroll down to view the highlights from the beginning of 2026, I hope you are encouraged by the wins, and motivated to pray for what’s ahead.
Advancing Truth,
Nicole Theis
President
Delaware Family Policy Council
January-March Highlights
Missionaries in Delaware’s Capitol
How legislators responded to local pastors embracing DE government as their mission field
by Jon Quatela
Director
Church Ambassador Network
Momentum is building around the vision and heart of the Church Ambassador Network as we inspire the Church to care for our elected officials, and embrace their role as God’s institution of transformation.
After three years of bringing the Church Ambassador Network to Legislative Hall, we are seeing the fruit – from all backgrounds, legislators are recognizing the Delaware pastors as a source of prayer and encouragement. These open doors have even led to legislators asking us specific questions about policy. I believe more fruit will come as pastors continue to embrace their local government as a mission field.
The year began with Pastor Ryan Coon hosting pastors across the state for a luncheon, during which I explained the mission field of government. Several of those pastors have accompanied me to Legislative Hall this session.
The Apostle Paul wrote about prayer being the key component for living a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-3) We should not only praying where we are, but also recognize the importance of the ministry of presence: going to those in authority (our elected officials) and praying over them, their work, and their family.
I always say that if we spent as much time praying for our government leaders as we do criticizing them, our government would look very different.
One legislator shared with me that he does not understand why more pastors do not come to Legislative Hall to learn about what happens there. He also asked for my thoughts on a particular bill.
Our conversation concluded with me sharing Romans 13, affirming who he is called to be in Christ as a shepherd within God’s institution of government, and closing with a word of prayer for him, his service, and his family. He told me that whenever I bring pastors to Legislative Hall, I should make it a point to come and see him.
Conversations like this one happens all throughout session.
As we continue through this legislative session, pray with me for each Pastor who visits Legislative Hall. Time moves quickly, and session will end before we realize it. Each Pastor’s presence matters; our elected officials need to hear from the shepherds of the communities they represent.
Truth Advanced in the DE Legislature
How families were defended, policies were amended, and truth was advanced
by Nandi Gamble
Policy Analyst
Delaware Family Policy Council
In only the first three months, our policy team has already seen quite a few bills that have major impact on the sanctity of family and the rights of children.
Here are the major highlights, and how we got involved:
Remember, a Win is when Truth is Advanced. Read below to see how truth was advanced this session.
1. Win for Free Speech!
DFPC Policy Analyst Nandi Gamble reported on the free speech violation to the press. Read the full article here.
Thousands saw our social media content exposing the free speech violation.
House Bill 272 in its original form would have targeted pro-life speech outside of abortion clinics. Citizens pushed back, and the bill was substituted to include specific 1st Amendment protections.
The fight isn’t over.
HB 272 now more closely mirrors the Federal FACE Act. Although the Federal Act specifically targets conduct rather than speech, it has still been weaponized against pro-life advocates under previous presidential administrations.
We are continuing to monitor this bill and its aftermath to defend our pro-life advocates in the state.
2. Sanctity of Marriage Defended in Committee
Nandi’s testimony: SB 100 will completely undermine the Constitution and desecrate the sanctity of marriage.
Every policy is an open door for a conversation that may otherwise never happen. This has definitely been true with Senate Bill 100, the proposed amendment to enshrine the redefinition of marriage into the Delaware Constitution.
Senate Bill 100 allows us to affirm the sanctity of marriage, and emphasize the importance of Constitutional protections.
There are several main issues with SB 100:
- SB 100 pits the redefinition of marriage against religious liberty in the Delaware Constitution, leaving it to the courts to decide which right supersedes in a clash.
- SB 100 sets precedent for any future redefinitions of marriage by a simple majority to receive constitutional level protections, bypassing the typical 2/3 majority vote for 2 sessions needed for constitutional changes.
- SB 100 frames marriage as a moldable contract suited to satisfy adult desires, rather than the institution foundational for the health of society and crucial to the well being of the next generation.
The legislative attorney for the majority party confirmed the issues with SB 100 when she was unable to give a clear answer to Representative Dukes’ challenge.
We need your prayers! A “nay” vote from only 1/3 of the Representatives will stop SB 100 from passing. Pray that enough Representatives will recognize the serious constitutional implications with Senate Bill 100 and push it back this session.
3. Defense of Basic Biology, Women and Girls Defended, Hypocrisy Exposed
Listen to the double speak.
“For girls especially, athletics can really help with confidence during adolescence and build leadership and belonging.”
This was a defense of sports for girls, spoken by a Delaware legislator.
She and other legislators sponsored HB 300 to ensure “fairness in sports” … “for girls especially.”
What does this bill do? It simply establishes a position in the Department of Education to ensure compliance with Title IX.
Here’s the irony. Another bill, SB 215, would take concrete steps to ensure fairness in women’s sports – by simply clarifying that women’s sports are only for women.
Yet SB 215 does not have support – it is still stalled in committee.
We coordinated with prominent female athletes across the country to advance the truth with an unmistakable defense for biology and the protection of women. Listen to their testimonies, as well as the testimonies from our team, given during the hearing for Senate Bill 215.
4. Legalized Baby Selling? When Reality is Rejected, Children Are Harmed
DFPC in the News: Nandi Gamble exposes how the modernizing of the Parentage Act does not adequately account for the welfare of children – another example of the consequences that come from distorting the sanctity of marriage.
There is a pattern in Delaware legislation. And if you recognize the pattern, you can discern the main issues in even the most complex of bills.
This pattern was clear in the contrast between two bills – the 80-page bill SB 250, and it’s companion bill, SB 236.
On face value, the two seem to be working toward the same goal. But a simple worldview analysis exposes their sinister differences.
SB 236 affirms the right that children have to know about their biological mother and father. It requires the surrogacy and IVF industries to collect data from those donating egg and sperm, so that the children conceived in those situations can know their biological history.
On the other hand, SB 250 is built on the foundation of rejecting biological reality and the sanctity of the family – starting with removing the terms “mother” and “father.”
This worldview difference has real implications – particularly for children.
For example – the background checks required in adoption situations are ignored in cases of surrogacy and artificial reproduction in SB 250.
This means that what is currently considered illegal “baby selling” could be legalized under SB 250!
This is another case of the harm that comes from adult desires being prioritized over children’s protection.
Read the articles below for our full analysis of these bills.
We worked closely with Them Before Us (TBU) to analyze and expose the issues with SB 250. This organization is dedicated to protecting children’s rights nationally. Katy Faust, founder and President of TBU, was the keynote speaker at our 2025 Pastors and Leaders Summit. Listen to her full presentation here.
Bonus: Lawsuit!!
In January, Delaware’s assisted suicide law went into effect.
But the fight to protect the vulnerable from this corruption in the medical system isn’t over.
When the legislature passes harmful or unconstitutional policies, there is another line of defense – the court system.
DFPC joined several organizations in a lawsuit against the state of Delaware for undermining the government’s duty to protect life.
When dignity is tied to autonomy, when suicide is seen as healthcare, and when life is no longer regarded as inherently valuable, this creates a culture of death in the medical system – the very system meant to save life.
Please pray for the ongoing defense of human dignity – not only in Delaware, but across the entire country.
Student Highlight: Andrew Erdvig
Delaware Leadership Congress alum prepares to defend family values in the legal sphere.
by Nicole Theis
President
Delaware Strong Families
“We got your back, Jack!”
The chants at the foot of the Supreme Court steps were overwhelming – and exhilarating. For a moment, they drowned out the mics of the protesters on the other side of the Court steps, with their rainbow flags and intense rhetoric.
I was with several busses of students that day, as we gathered in support of Jack Phillips, the baker who was sued for living out his convictions about the biblical definition of marriage. Though Jack served all customers, a gay couple took offense when he declined to bake a cake in explicit recognition of their wedding.
That was the day that Jack Phillips’ attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom were presenting their oral arguments before the Supreme Court.
I heard from many of the students over the years about the impact this experience had on their lives. They were struck by the concrete example of what it looked like to be thrust into the public square for following your conscience – and the blessing of having support when that happens.
For one student who was there that day – Andrew Erdvig – it literally set the trajectory of his life calling.
Three years later, Andrew attended the Delaware Leadership Congress (DLC), our leadership training intensive for ages 16-25.
DLC is no summer camp. We train the students in critical thinking skills, communication, and leadership from a biblical worldview. We treat them as legislators during this three-day training, and they learn these skills through the process of writing and defending their own legislation.
Andrew attended the Leadership Congress for 6 more years, rising in the ranks, first as a Senator and then as a member of the cabinet. In his final year, he served as the Speaker of the House, and was recognized as the best across all of the Congresses in the country that year.
Andrew went on to receive a full scholarship to law school, and meet his wife. Then this year, we received a major update.
Andrew was accepted into the fellowship for highly gifted Christian legal students across the country – run by Alliance Defending Freedom.
It was a full circle moment. From witnessing ADF’s defense in Jack Phillips’ case, to refining his skills in his training through DLC, Andrew was equipped each step of the way for this milestone.
Stories like Andrew’s are what continue to motivate us to host the Delaware Leadership Congress each year. Our mission is to cultivate a community of young leaders, equipped and emboldened to stand for truth in the public square, in the arena to which God calls them.
Our class this year is from July 8-10. We have 10 more spots available, and our students need scholarships.
Would you consider a tax-deductible gift today to sponsor a student for Delaware Leadership Congress?
Save the Date! 2026 Pastors and Leaders Summit
Friday, September 25th
Crossroad Community Church in Georgetown
Tell your pastors! Registration will open soon; get the date on their calendars!