This Month’s Updates:
our organization
Welcome, New FACT Employees
(December 1, 2009) – God has been so good to FACT in 2009, and he has generously led two new staff members to the organization.
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Doug Barth,
FACT Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
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Doug Barth has joined FACT as its Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. Doug graduated from DePauw University in Indiana with a B.S. in history and attended Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, where he obtained his J.D. degree in 1977. While in law school he was on the Board of Editors of the Law Review. After obtaining his legal degree, Doug practiced law for 28 years in the litigation field. He was a partner in two law firms and an Assistant General Counsel for the former Westinghouse Electric Corporation. During his legal career, Doug tried numerous cases and managed litigation nationwide for major corporations.
In 2005, Doug left the active practice of law to pursue his passion to inform, educate, and assist government officials, churches, and the public on family-related policy issues from a biblically-based perspective. Prior to joining FACT, he was the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in Idaho that promoted and defended traditional family values in its state legislature, the media, and other venues.
Doug is also graduate of the Alliance Defense Fund’s National Litigation Academy and has been trained as a Truth Project leader at Focus on the Family. He formerly was on the board of directors of the Pittsburgh (PA) Pregnancy Care Centers and Keystone Christian Academy, as well as an advisory board member of North Way Counseling Services, a Christian counseling center.
“Doug will be a great asset to our effort here and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that we desperately needed,” said FACT President David Fowler. In addition to handling operational issues, Mr. Barth will help with legislative and legal research and the coordination of legal projects.
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Hilary Barnett,
FACT Office Manager and Project Coordinator
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Hilary Barnett has joined FACT as its new Office Manager/Project Coordinator. Hilary is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She comes to The Family Action Council of Tennessee with a background in nonprofit administration, development assistance and event planning. Previously Mrs. Barnett held a similar position with Operation Andrew in Nashville.
Mrs. Barnett holds a B.A. from Anderson University and is currently working toward a Master of Divinity degree in practical theology through Regent University. She and her husband have lived in Nashville since 2006 and are active in their church community and various volunteer efforts in the city.
Mr. Fowler said, “Hilary is a real Godsend. When former office manager Lauren George left, we needed someone with experience, and Hilary sure fit the bill. And it was good to have someone join us with whom we’ve worked over the last few years while she was at Operation Andrew.”
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churches
Fruitful Meetings with Church and Denominational Partners
(December 1, 2009) – Both David Fowler and David Shelley had the privilege of addressing state denominational leadership during November regarding the importance of the body of Christ being salt and light in the public square. David Fowler was invited to speak to the Presbyterian Church in America’s Middle Tennessee Presbytery on November 10, and the assembly of elders and pastors warmly welcomed him. Mr. Fowler shared God’s calling on his life back in 1994 to leave the private sector and serve the Lord as a missionary to the state public square (as a politician and then president of FACT). Mr. Fowler also challenged them to consider how they, as church leaders, would have those whom they serve steward the authority as voters that God has entrusted to us.
On the same day, David Shelley addressed a gathering of Southern Baptist ministers at their annual statewide convention, held this year in Jackson. Due to the graciousness of Clark Shaw, owner of the Casey Jones Old Country Store and Restaurant, Dr. Shelley provided a Pastors’ Legislative Briefing and Prayer Breakfast for over 50 Tennessee Baptist pastors during the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The group spent time in prayer for the three branches of government, both federal and state, and then heard a presentation on legislative challenges and victories in our state government, along with suggestions on helping their congregations become better informed and engaged in issues such as religious liberty, the sanctity of life, biblical marriage, etc.
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biblical worldview
The Truth Project: Training Leaders in Several Denominations
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The Truth Project helps to develop a Christian worldview in the community.
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(December 1, 2009) – November was a busy month for FACT in helping to equip God’s people in Tennessee with a biblical worldview.
Since FACT became authorized by Focus on the Family this summer to lead training sessions for The Truth Project, over 100 small group leaders and ministers have been trained to use this discipleship tool in their churches and other settings. In November, Dr. Shelley trained over 50 new leaders at three training sessions in Nashville, Murfreesboro and Knoxville. Interestingly, attendees came from eight states: Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and one missionary to Cameroon! These new Truth Project leaders represent several denominations and will be using the curriculum to teach a biblical worldview in churches and high school and college campuses. One minister plans to use it in his work at a county jail. Praise the Lord!
If you, or your church, would like to learn more about using The Truth Project as a discipleship tool, worldview curriculum, or new Christians’ class, please contact Dr. David Shelley by e-mail at David.Shelley@FACTn.org or by calling (615) 469-4139. You can also learn more by visiting www.FACTn.org/truthproject.htm. Dr. Shelley is looking for locations to hold three-hour training sessions in January, so please consider hosting a session at your church.
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community
Community Meetings Continue around the State
(December 1, 2009) – Earlier this month Mr. Fowler spoke to a great crowd of enthusiastic Rhea County residents at the local Republican Party’s monthly meeting. Marvin Keener, new president of the local chapter, has provided great, bold leadership, and he, along with the other officers and state Rep. Jim Cobb, turned out well over 150 people for the evening. Mr. Fowler spoke on the topic of America’s foundation: It may not be what you think, based on the Declaration of Independence.
In addition, Mr. Fowler met with officials of the Chattanooga Electric Power Board about its decision to provide pornographic channels and movies in conjunction with its new cable television service. It is hoped that the information provided will lead to a discontinuation of those services.
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our organization
Best Wishes to Lauren George
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Lauren George
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(December 1, 2009) – Lauren George, who preceded Hilary Barnett as office manager, decided this fall to spend more time with her daughter and have greater freedom to serve with Bible Study Fellowship in her administrator role. Lauren was a wonderful and timely addition to our staff last year, demonstrating her abilities by coming on board and immediately taking on major responsibilities with Ministers Day on the Hill.
Lauren will certainly be missed here in the office, but we know her roles as mother and BSF leader will be even better served. We wish her, her husband and daughter all God’s best in the days to come.
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News and Notes (December 2009) 
