It appears each day there is a new battle to fight in order to reclaim our First Amendment rights and keep the doors open for the Gospel. However, the Lord reminds believers that our primary battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, the rulers, and the powers of this dark world (Eph. 6:12). As the hard-working students who attend College of the Ozarks rise early to go to work to fund their education, they now face a threat from the federal government that could jeopardize the sacrifices they have made.

When the Biden administration reinterpreted “sex” in federal law to mean “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” the implications were far-reaching…and alarming. For example, this applies to the federal Fair Housing Act and requires every college and university that allows all students to attend—including private religious colleges—to open their dorm rooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, and shared shower spaces to members of the opposite sex. But one college president was willing to go toe-to-toe with the Biden administration’s relentless agenda.

Dr. Jerry C. Davis has been the president of College of the Ozarks for over 30 years. The college is a work school—which means that students don’t pay tuition, but they are expected to work on campus to help pay their way. Each student participates in the on-campus work program for 15 hours per week and two 40-hour work weeks per school year. And you’d be hard pressed to find anyone complaining about it.

“Private, faith-based colleges have the constitutionally protected freedom to separate males and females in dorm rooms, showers, and locker rooms. Until recently, that commonsense policy has been widely accepted and respected,” said ADF Senior Counsel Julie Marie Blake. “President Biden’s directive is targeting religious schools, organizations, and churches simply because of their beliefs about marriage and biological sex.”

In April 2021, Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit on behalf of College of the Ozarks. The college is challenging the Biden administration’s rule change that would force faith-based institutions to abandon their beliefs on marriage and sexuality.

Here is how you can pray:

Judicial

Pray that the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will uphold the right of the college to operate based on its biblical beliefs on human sexuality.

Legislative

Pray that the federal and state legislature would enact legislation that protects religious freedom for everyone.

Cultural

Pray that Christian students will take a bold stand to uphold truth and righteousness despite the pushback they receive from the culture.

Church

Pray that the Church would be encouraged by the example of the College of the Ozarks and would confidently stand against the anti-freedom agenda of this culture.

What is a Generational Win?

Each generation has the responsibility to protect the freedoms of the next. That is why ADF focuses on generational wins. These victories change the law and culture of the nation and are sustained by deliberate action so that the victory endures for future generations.

  • Life is safeguarded
  • Religious Freedom prevails
  • All can Speak Freely
  • Marriage and Family are protected
  • Parental Rights are guaranteed

Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey has teamed up with ADF Church Alliance so your church can become a member at a discounted rate. Visit www.adfchurchalliance.org/BRN to learn more and use promo code BRN250 when you apply.