Christian Coalition of Iowa

Hosts Spring Kickoff …..and Makes

Major Organizational Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 2, 2006 -- ““This is the first step in expanding on the successes of the past. This year, there are countless opportunities to educate and mobilize people of faith on issues that impact the traditional family.  Our organization is dedicated to that task, now and in the years ahead."

                                                                                                                                      -  Steve Scheffler, President, Christian Coalition of Iowa

On Monday, March 6, 2006, Christian Coalition of Iowa welcomes Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to Iowa as the keynote speaker of its annual spring Legislative kickoff event. The event is held every year to welcome pro-life and pro-family legislators to the new session and to motivate activists to involvement in the legislative process.

This year’s event will be held in the Multi Purpose Room of the Des Moines Christian School, located at 13007 Douglas Parkway, Urbandale, Iowa from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M.                  

Governor Mike Huckabee began his tenure as governor on July 15, 1996. Gov. Huckabee became Arkansas' 44th elected governor after winning the November 1998 election with the highest percentage of the vote ever received by a Republican gubernatorial nominee in Arkansas. He was elected to another four-year term in November 2002.  Gov. Huckabee is recognized as a national leader in the areas of education reform and health care reform. He became the chairman of the National Governors Association in July, and will serve as the leader of the nation's governors until July 2006.

This year’s guest Master of Ceremonies will be Steve Deace.  Steve hosts the highly rated "Deace in the Afternoon" each weekday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. on 1460-KXNO.  His insights are also heard each day at Noon on 1040 WHO, as well as during numerous fill in appearances on the Jan Mickelson program. 

Christian Coalition of Iowa also makes major organizational announcement.  “The announcement to be made on March 6, 2006 will forever impact the future of our organization.  I look forward to the future of our organization, the challenges before us, and the work to which the Lord has called us,” concluded Steve Scheffler.

Iowa Christian Alliance

Christian Coalition of Iowa Changes Name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Des Moines, IA, March 7, 2006 --- On Monday evening during its spring kickoff, one of the state’s largest conservative grassroots organizations, surprised its supporters by announcing a name change.

“From this time forward, we will be known as Iowa Christian Alliance (ICA).  We are honored to be serving the Lord in a conscious effort to develop the integrity and leadership needed to guide our fellow citizens toward the traditional values on which our national strength and survival depends.  We will only be of service to our Lord and our fellow man if we uphold standards of moral integrity,” stated ICA’s President, Steve Scheffler.

The organization, formerly known as Christian Coalition of Iowa, has reorganized in Iowa as a non-profit organization under the name Iowa Christian Alliance.  No changes will be made to either the board or the staff, ensuring the continuity of the organization.

Steve Scheffler, President of Iowa Christian Alliance read the attached statement to a full house of approximately 500 individuals during its legislative kickoff event.

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Scheffler Statement on Name Change

Today Christian Coalition of Iowa announces a major change, the change of its name.

From this time forward, we will be known as Iowa Christian Alliance.

We are honored to be serving the Lord in a conscious effort to develop the integrity and leadership needed to guide our fellow citizens toward the traditional values on which our national strength and survival depends.  We will only be of service to our Lord and our fellow man if we uphold standards of moral integrity.

Due to certain situations that have happened with the National Christian Coalition organization, the board members of this organization, found it impossible to continue to carry a name that in any way associated us with this national organization.

We fully anticipate that there will be a time of adjustment.  The board felt that this was a prudent decision and would rather function as an independent organization than as an organization shrouded with perceptions contrary to its Christian commitments.

The Iowa Christian Alliance will carry the same board, the same staff, and the same mission statement as its predecessor.  We know this may present challenges in the short term, however, we believe our faithfulness will be rewarded in the long term.

We therefore covet your continued prayers as well as your volunteer and financial support.  We hope that you will continue to remember this organization in those quiet, personal times between you and your Lord.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you from the board of Iowa Christian Alliance.