One of our great privileges at MFI is helping young people take the initiative to share their faith in public. It is amazing what a group of courageous students can do when they have the support that they need.
In March, we were contacted by a young man named Rayford, a high school senior at Pioneer Charter School of Science II in Saugus, who helps to lead a student Bible Study Club. Rayford and his club were planning an “Outreach Week” at their school designed to expose more students to their club and (more importantly) to the Gospel, culminating with an event in the school gym featuring food, games, worship music, and a Biblical message. The event would take place after school, and since many other student groups had reserved the gym for club events in the past – including religious ones, like an Eid celebration hosted by the Islamic Studies group, a Diwali celebration, and more – Rayford believed their application would be quickly granted.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t. When Rayford and other club members met with the administration, they were told that their event was too religious to host on school grounds. School leadership said that they were trying to cut back on all religious events because they could be perceived as an endorsement of religion. Yet, every other secular club could rent the gym for their events without issue.
Undeterred, Rayford took action. He reached out to Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center and sought counsel on his legal rights. We were quickly able to draft a legal demand letter explaining that denying the Bible Study Club’s request was illegal under both the First Amendment and the federal Equal Access Act. We noted that the law required that when a public school opens its facilities to one student group, it must do the same for all student groups – schools cannot play favorites based on the viewpoints they agree with, while disadvantaging student groups with perspectives they don’t share. We also laid out decades of case law holding that the government does not impermissibly endorse religion merely by granting religious groups the same rights as secular ones to use public facilities. You can read our letter here:
Thankfully, within just a few days, the school administration reversed course and confirmed that Rayford and his club could use the gym to host their event as planned.
Not long after, Rayford sent along photos from the event, and it was a joy to see it come to life. We are truly grateful to have been able to come alongside a student like him and support his courage. Knowing that students at Pioneer Charter School of Science II were able to hear the Gospel makes this especially meaningful. Moments like this are at the heart of why we do what we do.
If you know a student who is being denied equal rights to start a religious club at a public school, we’ve drafted a “Know Your Rights” guide just for them! Click the button below to access it.
This kind of impact is only possible because of the faithful support of people like you. Your generous contribution ensures that MFI and MLLC can continue serving students and families in moments like these.
