Published March 25, 2024

"We may not like how we got here, but here we are. We need to know what to do. The cultural momentum is ready to bury the church on the 'wrong side of history' and carry our kids directly into treacherous waters…

"What hope is there for kids growing up in a sexually promiscuous culture? Know this: violating God’s moral reality will catch up with the culture and leave it gasping for the true, good, and beautiful." – Brett Kunkle, A Practical Guide to Culture

*Church Ambassador Network Executive Director Chris Lightfoot*

Cultural Commentaries

Raising virtuous children is vital for a functional society, Daniel Gibson explains in this poignant post, "The Founders understood that giving people a say in their own government was only good for protecting liberty if the people themselves were virtuous. They knew that if we raised up generations of cheats and liars and thugs, our system of government would be irrelevant."

The secular worldview has not delivered on its promises, even though Christianity has been blamed for a "decline in joy." Breakpoint shares that fewer people attend church in America now than ever before, but the cultural narrative that the "moral obligations of Christianity are harmful to happiness" is still strong. If that were actually the case, these large numbers of children raised outside of the church would be the happiest generation! The authors reveal that instead, "...a generation who grew up under secularism's promises of freedom and happiness has come of age and its offspring are far from being free or happy."
Journalists have revealed that WPATH is "knowingly and permanently harming children." In an expose by Environmental Progress, Mia Hughes uncovers the truth that "the world-leading transgender healthcare group is neither scientific nor advocating for ethical medical care." The ideology behind the trans agenda is also infiltrating schools and online games aimed at children. One mother outlined red flags for parents to watch for in an interview with the Daily Citizen detailing how "her daughter was invited to attend what was being called an art club meeting at school. But it was actually a gender and sexuality awareness club."

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

HB8: The Parents Bill of Rights recognizes the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding their children's upbringing, care, and education. It would require public schools to provide both advance notification to parents about the teaching of sexual content and the freedom to opt out their students, as well as require schools to notify parents if their student requests a change of gender recognition at school. This bill was passed by the House and has had three Senate committee hearings, but has not been passed out of committee for a vote.

SB212: The Age Verification for Porn Bill would protect children from accessing online pornographic material by requiring age verification. It was referred to committee on January 24 and has not had a first hearing scheduled yet.

SB159: The Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit would institute a tax-credit incentive for donations to pregnancy centers. This bill had a second committee hearing on February 27.

Christian Business Partnership

Want to learn how the Partnership's values-based health insurance might benefit your church's staff? You're invited to our informational livestream on Tuesday, April 9, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.

Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN)

Columbus Classical Academy is a member school of the Ohio Christian Education Network and, in an article entitled Money, Politics, and the Future of America, Head of School Daniel Gibson speaks pointedly about where many misplace their trust in a campaign year. He invites Christians to consider that the education of future generations is more significant than many realize: "Is it possible that the one temporal, political act that can alter the long-term trajectory of America is the education of future generations in what is eternally significant?"

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.

This month we encourage you and your church to pray for your district lawmakers. Find them here. You can even click on the link on their page and send them an email to let them know your church prayed for them this month.

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

Resources

*Church Ambassador Network Pastor Ambassador Eric Tober*

Faith & Works – This is a monthly bulletin insert produced by the Church Ambassador Network to keep the Church faithful informed about current events while strengthening their faith and inspiring works. You can sign up to order them for your church here. Take an exclusive look at the April edition here.

Axis.org – "The Axis vision is to help ensure that future generations of believers can navigate culture in a Christ-centered way. It is our belief that equipping families with relevant resources shared through the 'One Conversation Journey' will help teens and parents align around the Gospel, cultivating lifelong believers and disciples." Their latest 7-minute video is all about how Gen Z relates to Jesus, the Gospel, and the hope, purpose, and meaning they can find in the joy of Easter.

The Holy Sexuality Project – "From the author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel (2020 resource of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine) and Out of a Far Country, which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a pastor, Bible professor, and Christian author who now puts his identity in Christ alone, comes a thoroughly gospel-centered [home discipleship resource] on sex, sexuality, and gender."

Recap of Barna’s State of Pastors 2024 Webcast – Included in this recap is the discussion about "Increased Spiritual Openness Among Americans." The authors share data from the Spiritually Open research that reveals 59% of Gen Z say they are more open to spiritual conversations today than they were before the pandemic. Interestingly, Trevin Wax also wrote an article for Gospel Coalition noting the Rumblings of Revival Among Gen Z.

11 picture books to help you raise little givers – In a world of moral indifference driven by instant gratification, "these books, focused on the Creator and source of our blessings, aim to empower you to instill in the young ones in your life the profound value of biblical generosity."

Upcoming Events

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 to 11:30 am. The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio is our lead partner and Jeremy Westbrook, Executive Director, will share our 15-minute pastoral exhortation.

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 Conference at New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio, from Friday, April 5, through Saturday, April 6

Pastor Testimony

“In the fall of 2023, Westside Christian School’s enrollment nearly doubled to 63 students, and we had a waitlist for several grades. The school has expanded to third grade, giving us four classrooms full of students growing in their academic and spiritual lives. Our halls are filled with laughter, the classrooms are full, the teachers are thriving, and children from our community are learning about God’s love for them.” – Pastor Jeff Beckley, Host Church Pastor for Center for Christian Virtue’s first school plant, Westside Christian School

Closing Thoughts

"O Lord our God, your Word is truth, your ways are good, and in knowing you we find our highest wisdom.

"Teach us to know you more deeply that we may love you more truly, live more faithfully, and learn to think your thoughts after you more humbly and gratefully.

"And, Lord, may it please you to help us, so that in these complicated and tumultuous times we may be able to read the signs of our times that we may walk wisely in your way and bring glory only to you.

"Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

– Os Guinness Closing Prayer in Impossible People

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: Train Up A Child