Religious freedom is a central value of the United States—yet it should never be taken for granted. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is unique among Christian churches in supporting a vigorous team of professionals devoted to protecting and defending the religious freedom of all peaceful people of faith. Our commitment is rooted in both the gospel of Jesus Christ and the principle of the Golden Rule. The Gospel teaches us that Jesus died so that every person could obtain an eternal, intimate relationship with God. Neither the powers of church or state have any right to interfere with that relationship. The Golden Rule teaches us to respect the rights of every person, even as we would want our own rights respected. The Church State Council provides practical service to those dealing with religious discrimination—particularly involving Sabbath observance—and offers information and educational resources to keep the public informed about issues related to religious freedom.
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misterliberty@churchstate.org
View Bio: Alan J. Reinach Esq.Alan J. Reinach, Esq., is a civil rights lawyer and Seventh-day Adventist minister who has served as president of the Church State Council since 1994. Reinach directs the education and advocacy programs of the Council, primarily focused on the preservation of religious freedom for all peaceful people of faith, as well as preserving the separation of…
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View Bio: Stephen N. AllredStephen N. Allred serves as director of government relations for the Church State Council. A licensed attorney and ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister, Allred served as a pastor in the Northern California Conference for over 14 years, including his time at seminary, then practiced law for nearly a decade. He has written for several periodicals and is…
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View Bio: Simone ButtlerSimone Buttler serves as administrative assistant for the Church State Council, where she supports the Council’s legal and educational work, as well as its Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Ministry. She considers it a great privilege to be part of an organization dedicated to defending freedom of conscience, protecting religious liberty for people of all…
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View Bio: Jonathon CherneJonathon Cherne is the vice president of the Church State Council, where he directs the ministry’s litigation efforts together with the Council’s president, Alan Reinach. Cherne’s legal practice focuses on religious discrimination in employment and First Amendment violations related to religious liberty. Licensed to practice law in California, Tennessee, the United States Supreme Court, the…
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View Bio: Dr. William S. DavisDr. William S. Davis has served with the Church State Council since 2020 as an educator, chaplain, and advocate for religious liberty. He also assists the department with Spanish-language ministry and outreach. Davis completed paralegal studies at California State University, Hayward, and theology in Spain and Argentina. He earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry…
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View Bio: Naomi EshooNaomi Eshoo started her journey with Church State Council in 2018 as a paralegal and now serves as a staff attorney for the Council. Eshoo is a 2023 graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and of University of California, Santa Cruz, where she earned a B.A. in linguistics. Inspired by the experiences…
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View Bio: Natalie EvaNatalie Eva has served for 14 years as legislative assistant in the Sacramento office of the Church State Council. Working closely with the director of government relations, she supports advocacy initiatives, monitors legislation, and engages with lawmakers on matters of importance to the Church. Church members experiencing religious discrimination in the workplace are encouraged to…