It’s a new year! Time to put on a new attitude of thanksgiving for what we have and new hope to face the challenges we have ahead of us. Here in Arizona we celebrate a banner year for state legislation that is moving Arizona forward. Now we must hold on to the territory gained.

The most important thing we can do is to pray for our elected representatives at all levels of government. Next Monday January 9th, is opening day at the Arizona Legislature. I encourage you to join us on a 2 charter bus ride to the Arizona Capitol to participate in a prayer walk with Center for Arizona Policy and BridgeBuilders International. Pastors and laity are encouraged to join us. Check out “With One Cry Tucson” for information and registration.

With the passage of the Universal Empowerment Scholarship Account legislation, Arizona has become number one in the nation for school choice. Now all Arizona families have the ability to receive funding for private schools, Christians schools and other educational assistance. This is gained territory that we must hold on to and advance.

Our challenge is that our new Governor Katie Hobbs and almost half the legislature is opposed to parents using the tax dollars they pay for education to go to anything but district schools. This opposition even includes charter schools which actually are public schools.

4Tucson has always been a champion of school choice. By working with our strategic alliances, we will do all we can to hold on to and increase future school choice advancements.

Another challenge is, will Arizona remain a pro-life state? With the Roe v Wade reversal, Arizona abortion laws are currently being litigated in the courts. Regardless of any court decision, the destiny of Arizona abortion law is now in the hand of our state. Again, Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and many of our legislatures have vowed that any stage of abortion should be legal.

4Tucson has just established the 4Tucson for Life Committee headed by Matt Merrill with Hands of Hope Tucson. Please pray that God guides this committee to unite the body of Christ to protect the sanctity of life.

Our 4Tucson Biblical Citizenship Committee co-chaired by Piet and Mary Van de Mark, have a new series of Patriot Academy Biblical Citizenship in Modern America classes beginning next Wednesday January 11th and continuing every Wednesday through April at Christ Community Church in Tucson. These free in person classes will be facilitated by Bryan Platt. Use this link for Information and Registration.

The 4Tucson Blessing Breakfast for First Responders is almost sold out for guests. Due to the tremendous generosity of sponsors, there are plenty of seats for First Responders to attend for free. Please encourage all your First Responder friends to register right away.

Maintaining a strong relationship with First Responders is very important to 4Tucson. We are pleased to announce that Kelley Meshirer, formally with the 100Club and now a First Responders’ counselor with 10-4 Medical, has volunteered to be the 4Tucson First Responder Community Liaison.

The 4Tucson Government Domain is moving into 2023 with a strong wind at our back. We are optimistically prepared to face the challenges ahead.