On February 14, Administer Justice turns 25. This milestone marks a quarter-century of loving our neighbors in a unique way, beginning on Valentine’s Day in 2000. As incorporation papers were stamped, a new way of serving those in need was born. In those early days, everything was done by mail, and we couldn’t predict when the state would approve our incorporation. But God knew, and Administer Justice became His valentine to neighbors in need.
That Valentine’s Day, Helen and I were overwhelmed. Our twin sons were less than a year old, as volunteers began serving twice a month on Saturday mornings at Fox Valley Church. I had no intention of giving up my private law practice to do more. But God was working on my heart through my wife’s prayers and the power of His word. Meeting with my neighbors, I was struck by the impact a lawyer could have by simply being available, listening, and encouraging people with a specific plan to move forward. The book, Gospel Justice, tells many of their stories, including Juanita’s.
Juanita may have been our first client to come to faith in Christ. She came to the church at the urging of a shelter where she was staying. A Brazilian woman, she met an American during his frequent business trips to Brazil. They had a son together and decided to marry, moving to America to live with his parents and aunt. Tragically, just before the wedding, her fiancé was killed in a car accident. His family blamed Juanita, took her son to replace the one they lost, and cast a voodoo spell on her as they threw her and her possessions out of the home.
Terrified and believing in voodoo, Juanita was afraid of the authorities. I calmed her fears, prayed for her, and assured her that her relatives had no legal basis to keep her son from her. She could trust the authorities to help. We talked about her fear and about a God who tells us not to be afraid because He loves us and promises to care for us. Juanita prayed to accept Jesus. A friend accompanied her to retrieve her son, and the last time I spoke with her, she was filled with joy and attending church with her son.
Administer Justice: From 2000 to 2025
Over 25 years, Administer Justice has seen many changes from an all-volunteer single church model to a full-service Christian Legal Aid organization to a national movement to plant church-based legal ministries. But the fear of our neighbors has not changed—100,000 faces and counting have been freed from fear over the years.
Today, fear grips many of our neighbors. Administer Justice has always been and will always be a safe place for people to find the help of a lawyer and the hope of God’s love. We love people because God loves people. Our clients feel this love, with 94% reporting their legal needs are met and they feel a deeper sense of God’s love.
Currently, more than 1,100 volunteers in 19 states and 109 churches are dispelling fear and providing hope, clarity, and a plan to vulnerable neighbors in need. Administer Justice is God’s valentine, continuing to see neighbors come to faith in Christ and establish relationships with local churches.
I am deeply grateful for all the volunteers, donors, churches, and staff who have made it possible for us to “Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9). Whether you were there at the beginning or are just learning about Administer Justice, please join us in celebrating this milestone year.
Save the date for our big dinner celebration on Friday, October 17, and find ways to volunteer, refer clients, connect us with pastors or lawyers, pray, or financially support the important work of justice. More information will be available as we get closer to event date. In the meantime, watch the Administer Justice events page for updates on other upcoming events to help us celebrate 25 years of igniting help and hope.
