News Release
MADISON — Over 450 Wisconsin pastors have signed a pledge in support of one-man/one-woman marriage. The pledge drive was led by The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, a statewide organization working in support of traditional marriage and family.
The pledge reads, “As a pastor in the state of Wisconsin I support God’s plan for marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman.” The churches and pastors include representatives of a wide variety of denominations and ethnic groups. The expanding list is available on The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin’s web site at www.fri-wi.org.
Madison area clergy who have signed the pledge include:
Fr. Patrick J Kinder –
Pastor Bret Willoughby –
Pastor Christopher Boland –
Pastor David E Carlson –
Pastor Dean Howell –
Pastor Glenn Smith –
Pastor John Clark –
Pastor Lana Stauffacher –
Pastor Paul R Bawden –
Rev Rex A Wegner –
Rev Stephen Stauffacher –
Pastor Mark Kane –
Pastor William R Bartz –
In addition, contrary to what some media outlets have reported, several major religious groups have released public statements in support of Wisconsin’s Marriage Protection Amendment. These groups include the Wisconsin Catholic Conference via a letter signed by all 5 of Wisconsin’s Bishops representing its 1.6 million members, the Wisconsin First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ led by Bishop Sedgwick Daniels representing 10,000 members, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Southern District representing 112,000 members, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Northern District representing 108,000 members, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Baptist Churches representing 11,000 members, and the Wisconsin District Home Mission Department of the United Pentecostal Church International’s Spanish Ministry representing 2000 Hispanic members.
The Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage also has a number of faith leaders on its Advisory Council. Among those are Rev. Yong Vang Yang of the First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church in Wausau; Rev. Willie Wanzo, Sr. of the Metropolitcan Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee; Rev. Joel Schmalz of Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Wausau; Dr. Ken Moberg, superintendent of the Forest Lakes District Evangelical Free Church of America headquartered in Stevens Point; Dr. Dennis Hansen with the Bay Lakes (Southern) Baptist Association in Appleton; Dr. Randy Berkner, superintendent of Wisconsin Church of the Nazarene; Dr. Paul Thyren, director of Wisconsin IFCA International in Adell; and Dr. Marc Erickson of Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee. (www.savemarriagewi.org)
Vote YES for Marriage President Julaine Appling said, “We have identified 5000 Wisconsin churches that support marriage between one man and one woman. These churches represent some 2 million eligible voters. The pastors who have signed The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin’s pledge and those that have independently issued statements, along with the ministry leaders who are part of Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage, are representative of many more like-minded churches, pastors and people all across this state. Everyone will know they’re here on Tuesday, November 7, when they flock to the polls to Vote Yes for One-Man/One-Woman Marriage.
Vote Yes for Marriage • Judith Brant, Treasurer • Julaine Appling, President
PO Box 1327 • Madison WI 53701-1327 • 608-268-5074 • 866-849-2536 (toll-free) • www.voteyesformarriagewi.org