In today’s ever-changing world, the freedom of parents to raise and educate their children according to biblical principles is under increasing threat. Family Protection Ministries (FPM) has been a fierce defender of this right for decades. Since 1986, FPM has worked tirelessly to protect the right of parents to homeschool their children privately, free from government interference. The work of FPM is not only important for homeschooling families but for anyone who values parental rights, Christian education, and the Biblical design for family.
Who We Are
Family Protection Ministries is a non-profit, 100% donor-supported ministry that has worked diligently since 1986 to preserve the rights of parents to privately educate their children without government interference. FPM strongly believes in the biblical principle that parents have a God-given responsibility to direct the education and upbringing of their children, and tirelessly works to defend this biblical worldview.
What We Do
Under Nathan Pierce’s leadership, the staff at Family Protection Ministries works to defend the freedom of parents to train, educate and care for their children privately, without governmental interference. FPM has been working to detect, analyze, monitor, and intervene in all legislation affecting the legality of private home education in California since 1986. Every year, FPM staff members examine thousands of new bills, searching for any proposed legislation that threatens private home education, private schools, or parental rights. Nathan and his staff analyze bills, research code sections, draft proposed amendments, and write letters to our California legislators. When needed, Nathan will also meet in person with legislators and their staff and testify at committee meetings. FPM’s strategic leadership has been vital to stopping or amending dozens of damaging bills.
FPM also provides essential resources for homeschooling families. These include webinars, podcasts, events, and an assortment of literature teaching individuals how to make a difference by making their voice heard in the legislature, explaining how the government works, and encouraging families how we can work together to defend homeschooling. FPM also provides thought provoking articles and position papers explaining the biblical perspective on political issues related to the family and education.
Where Does Your Church Come In?
Churches play an essential role in the spiritual formation of families and in supporting parents who strive to raise their children in accordance with biblical values. FPM works to directly support this mission by advocating for and protecting the rights of parents to educate their children in a Christ-centered environment, whether through homeschooling or private Christian schools. By supporting this ministry, churches can help families be faithful to the biblical mandate for parents to be the primary caregivers and educators of their children.
- Upholding Biblical Family Values
FPM helps ensure that parents, rather than the state, have the authority to raise and educate their children. This aligns with the biblical mandate in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, which calls parents to teach their children God’s commandments. Supporting FPM allows churches to stand for the preservation of this parental responsibility and authority in the face of legislative threats.
- Advocacy for Christian Education
By supporting FPM, churches help protect Christian education from legislative threats. Whether families choose to homeschool or send their children to private Christian schools, FPM’s work is crucial in safeguarding the ability to educate children in the faith. This protection ensures that churches can continue to support families in their spiritual and educational journeys without the fear of government intervention.
- Defending Parental Rights
The growing governmental overreach into the family unit threatens parental rights. FPM is a constant advocate for parents, fighting to ensure they have the freedom to decide how best to educate and care for their children. For churches, supporting FPM is a clear expression of defending the family, a cornerstone of the Christian faith.
- Supporting Practical Action for Families
FPM’s work isn’t just about lobbying in Sacramento—it’s about empowering families on the ground. Through alerts, updates, and practical resources, FPM enables families to take action when necessary and stand together in defense of their rights. Churches can be part of this effort by helping spread the word and getting involved in grassroots advocacy.
How Your Church Can Support this Ministry
- Pray
Prayer is the foundation of any successful ministry. Churches can dedicate time to praying for FPM’s leadership, strategy, and effectiveness in defending parental rights and Christian education.
- Raise Awareness
Churches can inform their congregations that FPM needs prayers, support and involvement. Providing FPM materials and keeping congregations aware of the active battles happening in the legislature over Christian education and Biblical family are other beneficial ways to support this ministry.
- Financial Support
As with any ministry, financial support is critical. Churches can support FPM through regular offerings, fundraising campaigns, or by encouraging individual members to contribute. Both one-time donations and ongoing support are needed for FPM to continue their vital work.
- Host Informational Events
Invite an FPM speaker to come and talk to your church about what is going on in the battle for the family and for homeschool freedom in California as well as the importance of Christian vs. Non-Christian education.
By supporting Family Protection Ministries, churches can contribute to upholding family values in our culture, protecting parental rights in education, and fostering a supportive environment for families who have chosen to homeschool. FPM serves as a vital link between families, churches, and legislative advocacy, ensuring that parents have the necessary tools and information to provide a Christ-centered education for their children without government interference.
Family Protection Ministries has had a significant impact not only defending homeschool freedoms in the California legislature, but also in protecting the freedoms of the Biblical family. FPM works to get the Department of Education to have a neutral position on home-based private schools, including filing the affidavit online. In cooperation with HSDLA and CHEA, we continue making personal contacts and working to secure a better relationship with the Dept. of Ed.. Below are several victories won across a variety of topics:
HISTORIC LEGISLATION
AB 2756 & AB 2926 (2018) defeated!
Would have required home fire inspections of private homeschoolers’ residences at least once a year and would have separated private home-based schools from private campus schools with the stated intent of adding future regulations to home-based private schools.
PRIVATE EDUCATION
SB 2 (2019) passed with our amendments!
Would have initially required homeschoolers to submit meticulous student achievement information to the state. Later adopted in the 2020 state budget with our amendment language protecting private homeschools from this invasive and burdensome bill.
SB 2756 (2018) defeated!
Would have required annual fire inspections of private homeschoolers’ residences without a warrant or reasonable cause. Required private homeschools to more specifically describe their school when filing the Private School Affidavit (PSA).
AB 2926 (2018) defeated!
Would have resulted in the loss of parental authority over curriculum choices and regulations making private homeschooling virtually impossible for most parents.
AB 424 (2003) & AB 978 (1995) defeated!
Would have repealed and rewritten the entire Education Code, including every law protecting all private campus-based schools and private homeschools.
AB 1663 (2007) & AB 1841 (2010) passed!
Private homeschoolers may opt their child out of the public school’s special education evaluations and services.
SB 650 (1999), AB 1151 (1997), & AB 2117 (1996) defeated!
Would have implemented a statewide daytime curfew for minors.
TRUANCY
AB 2855 (2004) amended!
Protects the requirement that school officials notify and work with parents of children suspected of truancy. This allows HSLDA to resolve homeschooling issues out of court.
SB 1317 (2010) defeated!
On allegations of truancy, homeschoolers would have been referred directly to the district attorney and charged with a crime resulting in fines up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail.
AB 2605 (1994) passed!
Prohibits a School Attendance Review Board from issuing subpoenas to parents of an alleged truant if the alleged truant is enrolled in private school, including all private home schools.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
SB 1153 (2020), AB 713 (2016), AB 1444 (2014), AB 1772 (2012), AB 2203 (2012), AB 1236 (2007), SB 7 (2003), AB 56 (2003), SB 550 (2003), AB 634 (2001), AB 25 (1998), & SB 893 (1997) defeated!
Would have made kindergarten mandatory!
AB 712 (2003), AB 56 (2003), SB 277 (1999), AB 2332 (1998), & SB 432 (2003) defeated!
Would have implemented universal preschool for 3 and 4-year olds.
PARENTAL RIGHTS
SB 1173 (1999) defeated!
Would have given any extended family member or unrelated person the right to petition a court for visitation rights of a child without the consent or supervision of that child’s parents.
AB 2943 (2008) & AB 755 (2007) defeated!
Would have criminalized spanking (prison time and loss of children).
AB 2749 (2004) passed!
Protects parental constitutional rights by requiring that CPS social workers: 1) advise individuals of allegations against them; and 2) to adhere to the 4th Amendment of the Constitution.
AB 1355 (1995) passed!
Reduced the immunity of social workers from absolute to qualified. Social workers are now liable for unlawful acts committed against parents during an investigation of alleged child abuse.
MEDICAL FREEDOM
SB 276 (1999) defeated!
Would have required mandatory mental health exams of all California residents every 3 years.
SB 765 (2001) AB 1654 (1993) defeated!
Would have discharged newborns from hospital only after “at-risk factors” screening followed up with intrusive home visits.
AB 2020 (2000) defeated!
Would have coercively required all parents to enroll their newborn in a government-controlled health care program before releasing the newborn from the hospital to go home with its parents.
SB 840 (2005 & 2007), SB 810 (2009 & 2011), AB 1670 (2005), and others – defeated!
Would have implemented Socialized Medicine – total government control over all health care, including life and death decisions.
VACCINES
SB 277 (2015) amended!
Removed personal beliefs exemption to school-required vaccines. Our approved amendments removed private homeschool pupils from being required to receive mandated vaccines.
SB 866 (2022) defeated!
Aimed to allow minors aged 12 and older (later amended to 15 and older) to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge or consent, which would have eroded parental authority and responsibility over their children’s health and given it to the child and government.
CHILD ABUSE
SB 243 (1987) passed!
Defined “child abuse” to exclude a reasonable spanking to the buttocks.
AB 2380 (2010) & AB 7 (1989) defeated!
“Hearsay” would have been a basis for reporting child abuse – causing a huge increase in false allegations of child abuse against innocent parents, including homeschool parents.
AB 717 (2011) passed!
Protects the rights of parents falsely accused of child abuse. Ensures their right to a due process hearing and removes their names from the state’s Child Abuse Central Index.
SB 950 (2003) defeated!
“Truancy” – new category of child abuse and neglect. Homeschoolers could have been investigated by social workers on erroneous allegations of child abuse and neglect.
AB 102 (2001) defeated!
“Endangering emotional well-being” – new vague category of child abuse.
AB 804 (1999) defeated!
“Educational neglect” would be a new category of child abuse and neglect. Homeschooling could have been investigated by social workers on erroneous allegations of child neglect.
HOME PRIVACY
AB 1864 (2024) passed with our amendments!
Pesticide regulations would have applied to all private homeschools with the threat that every home address would be made available to the CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation. After submitting a language change to the authors’ offices, the bill was amended to exclude schools conducted in homes.
SB 1562 (2004) defeated & AB 10 (2017) passed with our amendments!
Coercive inspection of homeschoolers’ bathrooms (a privacy invasion).
AB 1256 (2013) passed with our amendments!
To make clear that home owners could not be sued for blocking the entrance of an uninvited intruder into their home.
Testimonials
“Children. Where do they come from, and who’s responsible for raising them?
“If you were privileged enough to grow up in a home filled with the light of Scripture, it may seem like those questions are merely rhetorical. Obviously, children come from the Lord, and they are a gift to parents – a mom and a dad who are married.
“Psalm 127:3 – Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward…how blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
“Not everyone acknowledges these fundamental realities, of course. Most in our contemporary climate see children as the natural result of billions of years of evolutionary progress, and that responsibility for rearing them falls on the larger community – daycares, schools, PBS, and the government. The modern mantra is, “It takes a village.”
“The teaching of Scripture is crystal clear; God gives children to parents as a joyful blessing and also as a profound stewardship. The responsibility for training up a child rests squarely with mom and dad. Parents have both the duty and privilege of shaping the little ones God gives them.
“It seems odd that such foundational truth would need defending, but if there’s one thing that is evident in this world, it is that the truth is ever under attack.
“It is for this reason that I’m thankful for the ministry of Nathan Pierce and Family Protection Ministries. FPM has, for decades, demonstrated fidelity to the Lord and His design for the family by serving as both light and watchdog. Nathan is a man who treasures the gospel and cares deeply about God’s design for the family. As a light, he works closely with legislators, seeking to shine the glory of Christ’s gospel and God’s truth about the family. As a watchdog, Nathan is committed to keeping an eye on government encroachment into the family, keeping parents aware of the endless threats to their God-given authority to raise and train their children without governmental intrusion. This is an important ministry.”
(Foothill Christian Fellowship)
More Testimonials:
“We and the homeschool families in our church have been grateful for the opportunity to pray for and support the ministry of FPM. The team at FPM through legislative updates, their in person representation in front of legislators at our Capitol, teaching through events such as Capitol Days, and email alerts are invaluable when it comes to equipping us to stay informed and be engaged regarding our rights to privately homeschool.”
John Kane, Pastor
“The work of FPM is absolutely critical in our current culture. Whether it be parental rights, home education, or religious freedom, the family is under tremendous attack on every side. These attacks are no longer subtle – they are aggressive and relentless. Nathan’s full-time advocacy over the last 20 years in Sacramento has seen great victories. Having developed trusted relationships with lawmakers, God has used Nathan to impact legislation in ways that are nothing short of miraculous. Were it not for his steadfast and tireless efforts on our behalf, our freedoms as parents and citizens would surely be different.”
Bradley Burke, Christian College Trustee
“I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the work of Family Protection Ministries. The battle against the God-ordained family in California is intense. Given this reality, your constant watch over legislation that would undermine parental authority and subvert creation order, is invaluable. Though we live in dark times and California often seems like a “lost cause”, the work of Family Protection Ministries reminds me that God has not left us to ourselves.”Brian Eschen, Board Member, Institute for Principle Studies