Bob Vander Plaats, president of The Family Leader, opens by introducing his organization's mission and its four-part framework for engaging government. Drawing from Deuteronomy 30, he challenges students to choose life — to go "all in" for God's principles in every sphere of influence, including politics.

Scripture Texts

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 16:18; Romans 13; Hebrews 2:1

Main Points or Ideas

• The Family Leader's mission: four "I"s - The Family Leader exists to inspire the church, impact elections, influence policy, and ignite biblical partnership between church and government. The ministry logo uses a lowercase "i" — a reminder that it is not about us. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that he would build his church on this rock, and the gates of hell would not prevail — the church is God's Plan A with no Plan B.
• Government is God's institution - Romans 13 calls government ministers God. Political leaders — like missionaries sent to the field — are called to carry God's light into a dark place. When a culture drifts from God's order and principles, the result is chaos and division. Hebrews 2:1 warns against drifting; Vander Plaats argues the country is not drifting but sprinting away from God.
• Deuteronomy 30: Choose life - Before Israel entered the promised land, God set before them life and prosperity or death and adversity — and told them it was not too difficult or beyond their reach. The same choice faces believers today: love the Lord, walk in his ways, and be blessed — or turn away and perish. God calls his people to choose well, choose life.
• Look higher, think bigger, expect more - The Family Leader's operating posture: look higher (help comes from the Lord, not from political parties — Psalm 121); think bigger (Peter wanted to conquer Rome, but Jesus called him to eternal concerns); expect more (John 10:10 — Jesus came to give life abundantly). Regardless of election outcomes, believers should not be downcast, because they know who wins.
• Go all in — sacrifice what pulls you from God - Using Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, Vander Plaats asks what each student needs to sacrifice — whatever is pulling them from God's call. Ministry itself can become about self rather than God. The call is to be all in, lukewarm believers are those Jesus said he would spit out (Revelation 3, Laodicea). The challenge: be like Michael Jordan — go all in with a competitive spirit for the things of God.

Conclusion

Bob Vander Plaats closes with a call to choose well in every arena — at the voting booth, in the classroom, in the workplace, and in the church — and to go all in for God's principles.