Colorado Christians Unite Against Wicked Political Agenda

Colorado's "wicked political agenda" has been met by the righteous fury of Christians in the state.

At the beginning of April, HB25-1312, dubbed the "Kelly Loving Act," was introduced by Democratic Representatives Lorena García, Rebekah Stewart, Faith Winter, and Senator Chris Kolker. The bill's core aim is to label "misgendering" or "deadnaming" as forms of child abuse or "coercive control." 

If passed, this law could strip parents of custody for rejecting their child's self-prescribed transgender identity. Parents could even risk being thrown in jail if they don't comply with the law's dystopian demands.

Of course, the legislation's tentacles extend far beyond parents. Businesses that don't comply could face fines, closures, or be forced to take "anti-discrimination" training. Schools would no longer be able to enforce gender-based dress codes, and they would have to enforce "inclusive" policies related to "chosen names," meaning that "all reasons" for why "a student might adopt a chosen name that differs from the student's legal name" must be permissible.

During "Washington Watch" last week, Family Research Council's Senior Fellow for Education Studies Meg Kilgannon probed deeper. It's a "bill regarding parental rights," she said, and it "is really, really concerning." In effect, it's "saying that if a parent does not adopt the name that a child chooses for him or herself, that if a parent calls a child by the name that they gave them the day they were born, then that parent is guilty of child abuse. ... The implications of that are that the child could be removed from your custody for ... not agreeing that your son is ... your daughter, or vice versa."

"It's really chilling," Kilgannon stressed. "And then the fact that they don't allow debate on the topic ... tells you that they know they're wrong. They know they can't defend it." And yet, added Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, "It's how the Left operates." At its core, Kilgannon stated, "We know this is such a destructive ideology." Its radical edge has galvanized Colorado's Christians, igniting a fierce stand against what they see as an assault on truth. Lawmakers may have stifled discussion, but passionate pastors are rising, undeterred, to shield children and confront dangerous ideologies head-on.

In Boulder, Colorado, Pastors Matt Patrick and J. Chase Davis are rallying believers to take a stand against the Kelly Loving Act. Leading a bold coalition of "united pastors of Colorado," they're mobilizing to "fight HB25-1312 for our kids, for our future." They're calling Christians across the state to join a powerful prayer walk encircling the Colorado Capitol on Thursday, April 17, followed by a "joint pastors press conference." Their movement is a clarion call to protect children and shape a future grounded in faith.

"The time is NOW to defend our families and our future," reads the info flyer they posted on X. "Come join us to peacefully assemble and make our voices heard against HB25-1312."

From pulpits to social media, Patrick and Davis are urging believers to rise up. "All eyes on Colorado," wrote Davis on X. "We're seeing a groundswell of otherwise disengaged Christians waking up and joining the fight against Colorado HB 25-1312. They are writing letters, providing testimony, and contacting government officials. But where are the pastors?"

In a gripping X thread, he dug deeper:

"Earlier this week, I joined many other pastors from small to medium-sized churches across Colorado to write a letter to the largest churches in our state -- churches that represent tens of thousands of believers. We need these churches to leave 'neutrality' behind and take a stand against this wicked legislation. Their leadership and platform can change the game. ... As it stands, we have received just one response. This fight needs more support. We need the big churches with the loudest voices to get involved. If you attend one of these churches in Colorado, or know someone who does, encourage your pastors and elders to join the fight. We need reinforcements. The beacons are lit. Who will answer?"

From his pulpit, Patrick confronted the urgency of combatting HB25-1312 with unwavering resolve. "Why do I bring this up in the middle of my sermon?" he asked his congregation. "Am I just getting political for the heck of it? No, because, friends, it'd be a heck of a lot easier to not touch this. You understand that, right?"

"It would be a lot easier to not get up here and talk about political things. But we are the church, and we must stand for truth. And when the truth of God is being defied, we must call it out." Patrick did not mince words: "My job here as a pastor is to tell you what is true, right, and good from the word of God. We must be anchored, and our anchors must be set. They must be in the ground, and we must not be led astray. We must not be swept away by the currents of culture and society. We must be strong in the Lord here today." With conviction, Patrick declared that "first and foremost" his duty is to submit to the Lord -- not to man. My job, he emphasized, "is before God."

Quoting Ezekiel 33:6 -- "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand" -- Patrick challenged himself and his flock. "If I do not speak to the church that I pastor on this, then I must ask myself the question: what do I fear?" He urged believers: "Today, I am calling us to fear God. ... To call wickedness wicked. To pray that people would be saved," even enemies.

Originally published at The Washington Stand