Religious Liberty

Former Spokane Mayor Sues City for 10 Million USD After Council Censured Her for Attending a Prayer Event

Michael Ringer

03 May 2026 — 2 min read

Nadine Woodward Demands Damages After Spokane City Council Punished Her for Receiving Public Prayer at Worship Gathering

Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has dramatically escalated her legal claim against the city, increasing her tort demand from 1.4 million dollars to 10 million dollars after the Spokane City Council formally censured her for attending a Christian prayer event.

The 2023 "Let Us Worship" gathering was organised by Sean Feucht, the Christian musician and revivalist whose stadium worship events have drawn hundreds of thousands across America. Woodward received a public prayer from former state legislator and pastor Matt Shea.

Spokane Mayor Lawsuit Tests Limits of Government Punishment for Christian Worship

The City Council's resolution denouncing Woodward, she alleges, violated her First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion, free speech, and free association. Her attorney Mary Schultz filed the amended claim against the city and council members Betsy Wilkerson, Lori Kinnear, Karen Stratton, and Zack Zappone.

Woodward lost her 2023 re election bid in the political fallout. She now works as a real estate agent. Her case raises the broader question now confronting every Christian elected official in America: can a city government legally punish you for attending a worship service, no matter the reputation of those who happened to be on the stage with you?

The Crusader's Opinion

A mayor attended a prayer service. A Christian musician led worship. A pastor laid hands on her. For this, the Spokane City Council passed a formal resolution of denunciation. Imagine if a mayor attended a mosque or a synagogue or a pride event. The same council members would be filing hate crime charges against anyone who criticised her. Christian worship is now treated by progressive city governments as something to be officially condemned. Nadine Woodward is right to sue. Every Christian official should be ready to do the same.

Take Action

Donate: Becket Law, defending religious liberty cases like this
Contact: Spokane City Council demanding a public apology and rescission of the censure resolution
Encourage: Christian elected officials in your community to attend worship services without apology
Pray: For Nadine Woodward, for Sean Feucht, and for revival in the Pacific Northwest
Share: Post Woodward's case and ask "Why is attending church a punishable offence in 2026?"

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