ADF President Alan Sears comments on passing of Chuck Colson

Sears: Colson was ‘friend,’ ‘man of courage’

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Alliance Defense Fund President and CEO Alan Sears, commenting on the passing of Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson, called him a true mentor and friend.

“Chuck Colson’s life was an endlessly eloquent demonstration of the power of God and of Truth to change hearts and transform lives. He was a man of courage--a man who called Christians to take a stand and not bend to the cultural and political whims of the day,” Sears said.

“It was Chuck’s dedication to the Truth that led him and Professor Robbie George to bring together more than 150 religious leaders to sign the Manhattan Declaration,” Sears observed, “which is unequivocal in its call for Christians to stand strong, regardless of the consequences, and not compromise on religious freedom, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family. That’s why ADF was honored last year to present Chuck with the Edwin Meese III Award for Originalism and Religious Liberty. Chuck was unwavering in his stand for religious freedom.”

Sears concluded, “Most importantly, Chuck Colson has been a friend to me, to ADF, and to countless other leaders. He was always standing with us, encouraging us, and pushing us. He understood that the good news of the Gospel--enabled through religious liberty and the rights of conscience--was the most important message in the world and that no limits on the Gospel, its message, or God-centered action should be allowed.”

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.