The Latest News From NC Faith & Freedom Coalition

Ralph Reed

Founder and Chairman

Ralph Reed is the founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. He was senior advisor to the Bush-Cheney campaigns in both 2000 and 2004, and chairman of the Southeast Region for BC04. As chairman of the Georgia Republican Party he led the GOP to its biggest victory in history, helping to elect the first Republican Governor and third U.S. Senator since Reconstruction.

Reed is chairman and CEO of Century Strategies, LLC, a public relations and public affairs firm. As executive director of the Christian Coalition from 1989-1997, he built one of the most effective public policy organizations in recent political history. He is the best-selling author and editor of six books. He is married to his wife Jo Anne and is the father of their four children.

Watch his remarks at the 2021 NC Faith & Freedom Salt & Light Conference

Jason Williams

Executive Director

Jason Williams is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Faith and Freedom Coalition. He has worked to organize canvassing efforts in NC with Faith and Freedom since 2016. In 2020, he led the largest faith based get out the vote effort in the history of North Carolina. Jason is dedicated to promoting a Biblical worldview in the political arena. As a former county commissioner, he led the charge to help defund the morning after pill, supported funding for the local Crisis Pregnancy Center, sponsored a resolution supporting marriage between a man and a woman, and put our national motto, “In God We Trust” on the county courthouse. He and his wife, Shannon live in Gastonia and have been blessed with 6 kids.

Tracy Philbeck

North Carolina Chairman

Tracy Philbeck is the chairman of the NC Faith and Freedom Coalition. He is a current Gaston County Commissioner and has served on numerous community boards including The Least of These of Gaston County, and The Dream Center of Gaston County, Gaston County Economic Development Commission, Children’s Advocacy Center of Gaston County, National Association of Counties Community & Economic Development Steering Committee, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Public Education Steering Committee, as well as countless others. He is married to Rebecca, and God has blessed them with two beautiful children, Eliana and Levi.

Clarence Henderson

Ambassador

Clarence Henderson is a NC Faith and Freedom Ambassador. He has worked with the organization since 2019 with a focus on minority outreach. In 1960, on the second day of the historic Greensboro sit-in, Clarence Henderson bravely joined three friends at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Knowing the potential consequences of being a black man at a predominately “white’s only” restaurant, they were steadfast in their peaceful quest for equal rights. From that point, Clarence was in the forefront of the civil rights battle inspiring similar sit-ins across the nation. Governor Pat McCrory conferred in 2016 The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award to Clarence with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary. In May 2017, Mr. Henderson was appointed President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation for the State of North Carolina. He was also recognized multiple times by President Trump for his leadership in the Civil Rights movement. Today, Mr. Henderson is a champion for freedom and conservative values. His message will inspire you and teach you how to change the narrative in this nation, from “Liberty for a few” to “Liberty for All!”

Dr. Paul A. Brintley

Ambassador

Dr. Paul A. Brintley is a NC Faith and Freedom Ambassador. He is committed to engaging with minorities and pastors and encouraging them to lead in promoting a biblical worldview in our culture.

Dr. Paul is currently the Senior Pastor and founder of the Christian Fellowship Assembly in Dallas, North Carolina. His travels have included South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Canada, Haiti, Israel, Germany, India, Poland, El Salvador, London, Zimbabwe, and 30 states in the USA. Through his travels and work in the mission field, Paul has established several churches in India, Poland, and Africa and provides 100’s of DVDs and printed materials to strengthen and support those churches.

He is a successful entrepreneur. He has owned multiple businesses including a paralegal firm, multiple franchises including Subway and DentMax, as well as an Allstate insurance agency.

Paul attended Duke University School of Divinity where he furthered his studies in the gospel. He has a Paralegal Degree from Kings College and a Bachelor of Theology from Agape College. His latest educational achievement is that he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Piedmont College of Theology.

You can rewatch his comments at the 2021 NC Faith & Freedom Salt & Light Conference where he spoke about his latest book, Black Lies Matter Too!

Paul and his wife Celeste and their son live in Kings Mountain, NC.

Mike Huckabee

Former Arkansas Governor

Mike Huckabee is the host of the TV show "Huckabee" on TBN each weekend and is a Fox News contributor, NY Times best-selling author of 14 books, and a frequent speaker for corporate, civic, and non-profit groups all over the world. He also hosts the podcast "Huckabee" on Quake Media. He was the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 until 2007, becoming one of the longest serving Governors in his state's history. He left a legacy of tax cuts, job creation, the reconstruction of his state's road system, K-16 education reform, and a nationally heralded and duplicated health initiative that focused on prevention. His administration fought long-standing corruption in the state's political machine, resulting in numerous indictments and convictions of powerful legislators and other elected officials. He ran in 2008 and 2016 for President, finishing 2nd in the Republican primary in 2008.

Mark Robinson

North Carolina Lt Governor

Mark Robinson is a true American Patriot. Born and raised in Greensboro, he grew up in an impoverished house as the 9th of 10 children. Experiencing alcoholism and witnessing domestic abuse first hand, Mark was able not only to survive, but thrive. Mark became a household name in 2018 when he delivered an incredibly strong address to the Greensboro City Council defending the 2nd Amendment. This speech went viral and to- date has been viewed over 200 million times online. Following this speech, Mark began traveling to spread a message of common-sense conservatism. On November 3, 2020, Mark Robinson became the first black American to be elected to Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

Dr Robert Jeffress

First Baptist Church Dallas

Dr. Robert Jeffress is Senior Pastor of the 14,000-member First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and a Fox News Contributor. He is also an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Jeffress hosts a daily television program, PATHWAY TO VICTORY and has authored 27 books including, NOT ALL ROADS LEAD TO HEAVEN; A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN: 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home; CHOOSING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE; COURAGEOUS: 10 Strategies for Thriving in a Hostile World; and his newest book being released September 2021, INVINCIBLE: Conquering the Mountains That Separate You From the Blessed Life. Dr. Jeffress appears regularly on outlets, such as Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends,” “Hannity,” “Varney & Co.,” “Judge Jeanine,” HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Madison Cawthorn

US Congressman - NC11

Madison Cawthorn is an 8th generation resident of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional district. Madison received a full ride ROTC scholarship to NC State and was also nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy by Rep. Mark Meadows in 2014 but his to serve were derailed by a tragic automobile accident that left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Today, Madison is a small businessman. He is the owner and CEO of a real estate investment company. He is a constitutional conservative committed to defending the values of faith, family and the freedom that have made America great. As the youngest member of the 117th Congress, Madison Cawthorn represents not only the residents of WNC, but also young Americans across the nation who want their voices heard in the highest halls of democracy.

Ted DiBiase Jr.

WWF's villainous "Million Dolar Man"

Ted DiBiase is best known for his role as the villainous "Million Dollar Man" who traveled the world as a professional wrester in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) during his 25 year career. DiBiase was the first WWF North American Heavyweight Champion, a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion (with Irwin R. Schyster), a one-time WWE 24/7 Champion, and winner of the 1988 King of the Ring tournament. He appeared in the main event of multiple WWF cards, including WrestleMania IV and the first-ever SummerSlam in 1988. DiBiase was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010. The character of the "Million Dollar Man" was fulfilled by wealth and power and controlled by greed but in contrast, the real Ted DiBiase has a genuine desire to do God's will in his life. He has authored a book about his life entitled "Every Man Has His Price" and is now a full-time evangelist and motivational speaker. In addition, Ted is also a spokesperson for and board member of "The Sunshine Foundation" which helps terminally ill and handicapped children.

Kenny Xu

Journalist and Author

He has challenged Harvard University for discrimination against Asian Americans, worked as the Director for Media Outreach against California Proposition 16 (race preferences) and written for national publications like City Journal, The Federalist, The Daily Signal, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and The Washington Examiner. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, the Epoch Times, Fox News, and others.

In his book, An Inconvenient Minority: The attack on Asian American excellence and the fight for meritocracy, Kenny takes on Ivy League discrimination cases and the lasting consequences of the Left’s diversity ideology. He appeared on Fox New's Tucker Carlson Tonight in July to talk about his book and the dangers of critical race theory. As a former Development Officer for Young America's Foundation, Xu worked at The Heritage Foundation and JAARS Missions before serving in his current role as President at the Washington-DC-based think tank, Color Us United, where he advocates for a race-blind America.

Bishop Patrick Wooden

Church of God in Christ

Bishop Patrick L. Wooden, Sr. is a soul-stirring gospel preacher, singer, and prolific visionary leader of the 2,000-member, Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, NC.

Bishop Wooden served in the Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction as Superintendent of the Greater Central District for 20 years and currently is the Jurisdictional Prelate of North Carolina's Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.

Bishop Wooden’s heart and passion is for the unborn who have no voice. He can be seen on any given Saturday at an abortion clinic fervently trying to convince the hearts of women and the men accompanying them to let their babies live. As a result, numerous minds have been changed and many babies have been saved.

Bishop Wooden attended Fayetteville State University and obtained a Doctorate of Divinity from the North Carolina College of Theology. Bishop Wooden has been married to his wife Pamela Wooden for 37 years.

Kevin Sorbo

American Actor, Director, Author

American Actor and Director, Kevin Sorbo, is known best for his lead role in the television series, 'Hercules: the Legendary Journeys' (1993-1999) and most recently for his roles in the movies, 'God's Not Dead', 'Let There Be Light' and 'One Nation Under God'. He is a steadfast warrior for conservatives and an outspoken Christian. Sorbo has been ostracized by Hollywood and this year Big Tech targeted him over his social media posts and viewpoints on faith & freedom.

He has produced the Breathe Bible, a dramatic audio reading of the New Testament. His latest book, 'True Faith: Embracing Adversity to Live in God's Light' was co-authored with his wife, Sam Sorbo. Together they share their journey of working, learning, grieving, and living an abundant life in Christ.

In 2012, Sorbo released his memoir, True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life. The book chronicles his near-death experience when he suffered three strokes and the battle back to regain his life.

Kevin has had the pleasure of starring in many guest spot appearances on TV shows, such as “Hawaii 5-0”, “Gary Unmarried”, “Just Shoot Me”, “According to Jim”, “Hope & Faith”, Two and a Half Men”, and USA Network’s “Psych”, with recurring appearances on “Dharma & Greg” and “The OC”.

In real life, Kevin leads "A World Fit for Kids,” a successful mentoring model that trains inner-city teens to use school, fitness, sports, and positive role models for themselves, and then become the coaches and mentors for younger children.

Ted Budd

NC Congressman | NC13 Candidate for US Senate

Ted Budd represents North Carolina's 13th Congressional District and is serving his third term in the 117th United States Congress. In April, Ted announced his run for the US Senate seat currently held by Senator Richard Burr.

Ted brings an outsider’s perspective to Washington, having never held elective office. When an opportunity presented itself after redistricting opened up North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District in 2016, Ted decided to run and bring a businessman’s outlook to our nation’s capital.

Ted sits on the Financial Services Committee, where he uses his real-world experience to roll back the restrictive regulations that strangle job creation in our country. Working at a young age on his family’s cattle and chicken farm and for their janitorial and landscaping business, Ted learned the importance of work ethic and common-sense decision-making. He brings his strong belief in God, family, and country to his job each and every day.

Ted and his wife Amy Kate have three children and live in Davie County, NC. He holds an MBA from Wake Forest University and a Masters of Theology and Educational Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Pat McCrory

Former NC Governor Candidate for US Senate

Pat McCrory served as North Carolina's 74th Governor from 2013-2017. In April, Pat left his popular radio show on WBT-AM in Charlotte to run for the US Senate seat currently held by Senator Richard Burr.

McCrory was raised in Guilford County, North Carolina. He earned degrees in education and political science from Catawba College. McCrory was elected mayor of Charlotte in 1995 and went on to serve a record seven terms.

Pat received a presidential appointment to the Homeland Security Advisory Committee. He also founded the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance in 1995. Additionally, he has worked for the Charlotte-based law firm Moore & Van Allen and Duke Energy.

Pat has testified before Congress and has been an expert guest on several national media broadcasts, including National Public Radio, ABC World News, Lehrer News Hour, CBS This Morning, MSNBC News, CNN, CNBC, and Fox News, among others.

He resides in Charlotte with his wife Ann.

Mark Walker

Former Congressman NC06 Candidate for US Senate

Mark Walker served as North Carolina's 6th district Congressman from 2015 until 2021. In December Mark announced his run for the US Senate seat currently held by Senator Richard Burr.

In Washington, Walker served as the Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference, the top Republican on the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, the Chairman of the Prayer Caucus, and the Chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

Before serving in Congress, Mark served in various pastoral roles including executive and senior pastor positions. He served as a guest lecturer on mentorship and administration at Liberty University.

Prior to his time in ministry, Walker worked in finance management for the Flow Automotive organization and graduated from Piedmont International University. Mark and his wife Kelly reside in Greensboro, NC.

Joe Arpaio

Former Maricopa County Sheriff, Arizona

Joe Arpaio served as the 36th Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona for 24 years. (1993-2017). Joe became known as "America's Toughest Sheriff" for his outspoken and unapologetic tough stance on illegal immigration to protect our borders.

For years Sheriff Joe ignored a federal judge’s order that barred his department from detaining undocumented immigrants so, in 2016, the Obama administration’s justice department prosecuted Arpaio for criminal contempt of court. President Trump issued his first presidential pardon to issue relief to a man who has worked so tirelessly to protect our nation's borders.

Joe's new book, "Sheriff Joe Arpaio: An American Legend" was released last fall. Joe was married to his wife, Ava, for 63 years before she passed away earlier this year.

Bo Hines

Candidate for Congress NC13

Born and raised in North Carolina, Bo Hines is a former All-American freshman wide receiver at NC State and a recent Yale University graduate. Bo Hines returned to North Carolina to pursue his law degree at Wake Forest.

Hines interned with Indiana governor Eric Holcomb and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota. U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger of North Carolina’s 9th District and former North Carolina Lt. Governor. Dan Forest.

In February, Bo announced he was running for a seat in the US Congress. Bo married his wife Mary this summer.

Bryan Hughes

Texas State Senator | TX1

Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes is serving his second term representing 16 counties in Northeast Texas. Before his election to the Senate in 2016, he was a Texas State Representative for 14 years.

Hughes has a law degree from Baylor University and he practices law in Tyler Texas.

Hughes is the architect of the famous “Texas Heartbeat Bill”. The bill allows private citizens to take legal action against abortion providers after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Earlier this month the Supreme Court refused to intervene to stop the Texas law from going into effect. The Texas bill has nearly closed down all Texas abortion centers and earned the attention of lawmakers from around the country.

Penny Maxwell

Freedom House Church

Penny leads Freedom House Church alongside her husband Troy, partnering with him to serve in a balanced yet dynamic way. Penny is outgoing, animated, and fun-loving, infusing energy and fresh perspective wherever she goes.

Freedom House Church was in the headlines this month for telling its members they won’t be following Mecklenburg County’s recently passed mask mandate on churches, mosques, synagogues, and others places of worship. Maxwell said the church was prepared to defend their religious exemption in court.

With an eye for detail and a flair for the creative, Penny pours excellence into everything she does. Her heartbeat is encouragement, and she enjoys building people in their identity in Christ.

News from NC Faith & Freedom Coalition

Our Press Statement on Lt Governor Mark Robinson’s Abortion Decision