Citizens for Community Values: Valued Partners

22/01/2021 0 Comment in Bible Teaching-Leadership by sdhopkins

The pandemic introduced several unwanted experiences for us in 2020. Racial tensions reminded us of the divide that continues, even among God’s people. However, Citizens for Community Values (CCV) stepped up, and Ohio Baptists recognized their valuable partnership. The Faith Friday conference calls with the governor’s office helped us negotiate issues like safe distance and wearing a mask. The Joseph Council called us to prayer and helped launch the Ohio pastor’s prayer movement in 2020. The Church Ambassador Network (CAN), a CCV project, provided needed guidance on addressing the cultural and moral issues of our day.

CCV Mission statement: “As Ohio’s Family Policy Council, Citizens for Community Values seeks the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. We endeavor to create an Ohio where God’s blessings of life, family, and religious freedom are treasured, respected, and protected.”

2021 will continue to offer challenges. Beginning Friday, February 4 at 10:00 am, the Church Ambassador Network will resume hosting Faith Friday conference calls, now once a month. The call for pastors and ministry leaders will include interviews with state and national guests, government authorities, clergy, and subject-matter experts on challenging cultural issues from a biblical worldview, and a time for Q&A.

Since August, pastors and ministry leaders in Ohio have met monthly to strengthen brotherhood bonds (Psalm 133:1), be unified in the faith (John 17), and make ready the statewide Church of Jesus Christ to respond in the next crisis. The next prayer time will be Thursday, January 28, 10:00 am, via Zoom. Go HERE to join the call.

While the Ohio Statehouse is still open to the public, CCV is hosting five Pastors’ Day at the Statehouse for a time of fellowship, worship, and prayer; as well as a brief tour of the statehouse, and, as the opportunity presents, observing a committee hearing and sharing the gospel. Mark your calendars for the inaugural event: Thursday, February 25, from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon in the Statehouse Atrium.

President Aaron Baer and Church Relations Director Ruth Edmonds have become great friends to Ohio Baptist. Go HERE for the short video from our annual celebration.