Published February 27, 2024

“Faith will falter if the authority of holy scripture is shaken; and if faith falters, love itself decays. For if someone lapses in his faith, he inevitably lapses in his love as well, since he cannot love what he does not believe to be true.”

– Augustine of Hippo: On Christian Doctrine

*Church Ambassador Network Executive Director Chris Lightfoot*

Cultural Commentaries

Hundreds of pastors in Ohio chose biblical fidelity over comfort and secular approval despite the financial and relational risks. This is the result of a growing schism in the United Methodist Church over their official position on LGBT issues. Many of these churches have joined The Global Methodist denomination led in Ohio by Pastor Jeff Greenway.
Christians across America are losing trust in public schools. Law and Liberty reports, "Schools and hospitals are distrusted by two-thirds of Americans." Is it possible to rebuild failing educational institutions in Ohio? The Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) believes it is. OCEN has developed a model allowing churches to run schools within their facilities, utilizing otherwise empty rooms during the week. Pastor Jeff Beckley, from Memorial Baptist Church in Columbus, wrote a letter outlining his experience when his church answered the call to open Westside Christian School in the fall of 2022. Take a moment to read his story and, if you want to learn more about planting a school, please contact Ruth Edmonds at ruthedmonds@ccv.org.
Megan Basham joined Center for Christian Virtue's (CCV) The Narrative podcast to discuss the intersection of the Church and politics. A reporter for The Daily Wire, Basham shared her recent findings about the deception some financial backers are supporting to thwart true Christian discernment in living out our faith in the public square with CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews.

*Ohio Christian Education Network Executive Director Troy McIntosh*

Church Ambassador Network is part of Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) and its affiliated ministries, which seek to impact public policy, education, and the Ohio marketplace with the truth of the Gospel. Check out these updates from our ministry partners!

Policy

HB68 The SAFE Act/Save Women’s Sports Act, protects minors from harmful drugs and surgeries used for the purpose of "gender transitioning" and protects female atheletes from having to compete with biological males. The House and Senate both voted to override Governor DeWine’s veto of this bill in January. The ACLU has publicly stated they plan to file a lawsuit against the new legislation, which is scheduled to take effect in April.

HB183, the Single-Sex Bathroom Bill, would require schools and colleges to have separate bathrooms for males and females. This bill is expected to be out of committee and voted on in the House soon.

SB159 would institute a tax-credit incentive for donations to pregnancy centers. This bill is scheduled to have its second committee hearing today, and CCV's Legislative Liaison Nilani Jawahar will be testifying in support of the bill. You can watch live here.

Christian Business Partnership

The Partnership offers values-based health insurance that provides comprehensive coverage while excluding radical, elective procedures like abortion or so-called "sex reassignment" surgeries or medications.

There will be an informational livestream on Tuesday, April 9, from 1 to 2 pm, to share how the Partnership's values-based health insurance might benefit your church's staff as well.

Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN)

The OCEN Scholarship Granting Organization (OCEN SGO) is a simple, no-cost-to-you way to make Christian education financially accessible to Ohio students. Donors quality for a state tax credit, up to $750 for individuals and $1,500 for couples. This is a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your state taxes, so your gift ultimately costs you nothing and the funds are used to give scholarships to worthy students to attend our member schools. Learn more and donate online!

Take a moment to read through a few of the letters from students at Heritage Christian School and imagine the impact your gift could have on the future generations in Ohio:

Pray for Our Leaders

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)

*Church Ambassador Network Christian Engagement Ambassador Ruth Edmonds leads Prayer Initiatives including* Prayer at the Statehouse *and* Converge.

As we pray for our leaders this month, we focus on the primary sponsors of House Bill 183 and Senate Bill 159. Join us in honoring 1 Timothy 2:1-2 by praying for these elected officials:

Want to pray for your county's lawmakers? Find them here!

If you have prayer requests, please send them to Ruth at ruthedmonds@ccv.org.

Resources

*Church Ambassador Network Pastor Ambassador Eric Tober*

Shepherding your flock through a presidential election year can be a daunting prospect, and that will be especially true in 2024. However, it is also an incredible opportunity. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commissionhas published A Christian Guide to Political Engagement to help pastors navigate the complexities and challenges this year will hold for the greatest possible gospel impact.

Equipping the next generation to stand firm is important. Do your youth have untapped potential just waiting to be released? At Summit Ministries, young adults ages 16 to 22 discover their purpose, gain courage, and deepen their faith alongside like-minded peers. Summit Ministries is offering a scholarship to students who excel as leaders in sports, academics, entrepreneurship, student government, church, or something similar. It covers a student’s tuition, excluding the $195 conference deposit and transportation to the session location.

Looking for an encouraging podcast? Check out the Reconstructing Faith Podcast. Scathed by scandal and riddled with controversy, the American church today faces a credibility crisis. Trevin Wax explores the way toward renewal in our generation.

Upcoming Events

Clear Truth Conference
- The Church Ambassador Network is sponsoring the Clear Truth Conference in Monclova, Ohio, from Thursday, March 14, through Saturday, March 16. CCV is participating in a panel discussion with key speakers at the event.

Prayer at the Statehouse
- CCV, in partnership with the Church Ambassador Network, will host the next Prayer at the Statehouse event on Thursday, May 16. Please consider joining us for prayer and worship from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Awake! Prepare Your Mind for Action Women's Conference
- Ruth Edmonds, Church Ambassador Network's Christian Engagement Ambassador, is joining Ursula Kemp, Director of Pray for Columbus, to lead the Awake! Prepare Your Mind for Action at New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio, from Friday, April 5, through Saturday, April 6.

Closing Thoughts

“What we are experiencing is not the eradication of God from the Western mind, but rather the enthroning of the self as the greatest authority. God is increasingly relegated to the role of servant, and massager of the personal will.” – Mark Sayers, Disappearing Church

May the "things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of your glory and grace."

Pastor Testimony

“CCV helped amplify my voice and connect me with others in a cross-denominational network. CCV has created a lot of opportunity for the Church to mobilize. I don’t know how any of the work I’ve done would have happened without the engine of CCV pushing that forward.

CCV was a humongous catalyst for everything that has happened thus far and for what I think is going to happen in the days to come. The biggest encouragement we can take forward is the unity of the Church. We need to continue to build that and I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do”. –Pastor Brian Williams

*Pastor Brian Williams, Senior Pastor of Hope City House of Prayer in Columbus, Ohio*

A number of churches have decided to support CCV and the Church Ambassador Network financially through their budget. To set up a recurring monthly donation to CCV, please visit CCV.org/Donate and make sure to click the check box at the end of the form, above the comments field, before submitting your gift.

We would be honored if you chose to invest a portion of God’s resources into our effort to serve and support churches in Ohio with resources to help them carry out the Great Commission in the spirit of The Greatest Commandments in our current cultural context.

The Times: Courageous Faith