About the Standing for Freedom Center
Faithful conviction.Courageous action.
We uphold the Christian faith, defend America’s Constitution, and equip men and women to carry truth and freedom into every sphere of society.
Why we exist
Truth is meant to shape the culture, not retreat from it.
The Standing for Freedom Center exists to uphold the Christian faith and defend America’s Constitution. We inform Americans on matters of faith and liberty, then equip faithful men and women to protect and defend their strongest-held beliefs in every facet of society.
We honor the principles that allow people and communities to flourish.
Human dignity
Individual liberty
Limited government
Free markets
Our purpose & beliefs
The convictions beneath everything we do.
The enduring truths that shape our work, our witness, and the future we are working to preserve.
Scripture & Salvation
We affirm that all Scripture is infallible. We believe in one God Who exists eternally in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We affirm that a person is saved only by faith, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross.
Liberty & human flourishing
We believe that religious liberty, limited government, free markets, rights of the unborn, the right to bear arms, and traditional virtues are necessary foundations of a free and prosperous society.
Freedom from tyranny
We believe that the threat of authoritarian statism, secularism, and socialism is contrary to the human spirit and a present danger to a free and prosperous society.
God-given rights
We affirm the vision and intent of America’s founders and the purpose of civil government to secure natural rights given by God, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and defined in the U.S. Constitution. This freedom from tyranny is guaranteed to all Americans.
Civic responsibility
We believe that all citizens have a duty to promote, preserve, and defend American values through continuous cultural renewal and political engagement.
Meet the team
The people behind the mission.
Strategists, storytellers, researchers, creators, and leaders united by one purpose: equipping people to stand for life, liberty, and truth.
Executive Director
Ryan Helfenbein
Ryan Helfenbein is the Vice President of Communications & Public Engagement at Liberty University and the Founding Executive Director of the Standing for Freedom Center where he is the host of the Give Me Liberty podcast and a regular Christian cultural and political commentator with appearances on Fox News, Newsmax, Real America’s Voice News and Salem Media. Ryan served as an advisor and public information officer for the 62nd Governor of Kentucky.
He earned his Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Ryan has been married to Lauren Helfenbein for over 18 years, and they have four children.
If you’re interested in having Ryan speak at your next event, please connect with us to schedule him.
Follow Ryan on Twitter at @RHelfenbein.
Director of Operations
Amy Snead
Amy Snead is a dedicated wife, mother of four boys, and a passionate patriot. During the pandemic, she led the charge in Bedford County, Virginia, by starting a chapter of Moms for Liberty and serving as chairwoman for three years. She rallied voters to elect conservative leadership through hundreds of hours of grassroots engagement within her local community and statewide.
With a background in hospitality and having previously worked as the Director of Hotel Industry Research at The Pennsylvania State University, Amy brings a variety of operational, organizational, and networking skills to the team. As Director of Operations at Liberty University’s Standing for Freedom Center, Amy continues to fight by equipping the next generation to defend life, liberty, and truth.
Creative Director
Connor Nash
Connor Nash, a 2020 graduate of Liberty University, is the Creative Director for the Standing for Freedom Center. Prior to working for the Center, Connor worked with multiple professional sports teams doing video and marketing work, as well as directing broadcasts for Liberty University.
Communications Specialist
Grant May
Grant May, a 2024 graduate of Liberty University, serves as the Communications Specialist for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before joining the Freedom Center, he worked in state-level political advocacy. Grant has spoken at college campuses and conferences across the country and is passionate about equipping believers to defend what matters most with truth and grace.
Editor in Chief
Heather Hayes
Heather B. Hayes is editor in chief of the Standing for Freedom Center and oversees the editorial content on the website and special print projects, including the Theology of Politics series. She holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Kentucky and has more than 30 years of experience writing and editing feature articles and books.
Teaching Pastor & Contributor
Virgil Walker
Virgil Walker is a teaching pastor at Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona and is a cultural commentator, author, and speaker, known for his regular appearances on Fearless with Jason Whitlock and contributions to The Blaze, BLEXIT, and the Standing for Freedom Center. He is the co-author of Just Thinking About the State, Just Thinking About Ethnicity, Why Are You Afraid?, and A Biblical Theology of Climate Change.
Virgil earned his Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to Tomeka Walker for 30 years, and they have three adult children.
Event & Student Engagement Manager
Maggie Donica
Maggie Donica, a 2021 graduate of Liberty University, serves as the Event and Student Engagement Manager for the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University, where she orchestrates high-impact events that shape the next generation of bold, freedom-loving leaders. From managing Liberty’s 1,000-plus-student trip to the March for Life to executing the Freedom Center’s annual Summit and high-profile campus speaking events, Maggie loves creating opportunities for students to learn about and engage in political action.
Her passion? Equipping students to step up, speak out, and take action in the fight for truth and liberty. Before joining the Freedom Center, she worked as a Regional Field Coordinator at the Leadership Institute, training conservative campus leaders to build stronger organizations, recruit with confidence, and push back against liberal bias. During college, she also worked as a writer for ToddStarnes.com.
Digital Outreach Strategist
Justin Henderson
Justin Henderson brings more than 15 years of experience leading digital growth, web strategy, technology, marketing, and cross-functional initiatives across higher education, non-profit, media, hospitality, finance, healthcare, and entertainment.
At Liberty University’s Standing for Freedom Center, Justin has managed more than 30 digital initiatives. His work spans SEO, audience development, digital campaigns, website optimization, analytics, newsletters, events, and conversion strategy. After assuming full ownership of the Center’s 47,000-plus-subscriber newsletter, he helped lead a redesign, optimization, and platform transition that tripled engagement.
Previously, Justin administered and optimized more than 30 websites for a nonprofit organization serving over 105,000 monthly visitors, directed digital marketing initiatives for a financial firm that quadrupled weekly lead volume, and supported the technology and operational growth of a restaurant franchise that expanded from 13 locations to nearly 50 during his tenure.
A Liberty University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Justin combines analytical discipline, technical expertise, creative judgment, and strategic leadership. He is known for turning complex data and ambitious ideas into clear priorities, coordinated execution, measurable growth, and digital experiences that advance the mission behind them.
Video Production Specialist
Kevin Ferreira
Kevin Ferreira, originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, five years ago and brings a strong creative background rooted in video editing and audio production. A 2020 graduate of NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering with a degree in Integrated Digital Media, Kevin has honed his skills through church media work, personal social content, songwriting, and producing for various clients. No matter the medium, staying creative has always been his top priority.
Video Production Specialist
Michael McCartney
Michael McCartney, a 2020 graduate of Liberty University, is a videographer and editor for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before working for the Center, Michael worked at Bellevue Baptist Church as a live video associate, directing various broadcasts and events.
Digital Creative Specialist
Julia Ball
Julia Ball, a 2023 graduate of Liberty University, is the Digital Creative Specialist for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before working for the Freedom Center, Julia worked as a freelance graphic designer for various small businesses. Additionally, she interned at the Career Center at Liberty University. It is Julia’s passion to use her gifts and talents in the arts for God’s glory.
Research Assistant & Analyst
James Black
James Black is the Research Assistant & Analyst at the Standing for Freedom Center. He graduated from Liberty University in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Individualized Studies, and in 2022 with a Master of Arts in Promotion & Video Content. Before coming to the Standing for Freedom Center, James served as an intern at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and has been featured in multiple stories in The News & Advance and the 2022 edition of Inside Lynchburg Region Magazine.
James also worked as a video shader for Liberty Broadcast Experience (LBX) while completing his master’s degree. James is passionate about prioritizing his Christian faith and pursuit of biblical values through understanding and analyzing data related to local and national political trends.
Stand with us
Truth needs a voice.
Freedom needs defenders.
Read the stories shaping our culture, share what matters, and help carry the mission forward.
