COLUMBUS—Citizens for Community Values is putting in the forefront what has been its key identity from its beginning nearly 40 years ago. As of February 1, 2021, Citizens for Community Values is now Center for Christian Virtue (CCV).

The name change comes after years of prayer, conversation, and research with Catholic and Evangelical leaders into what challenges face the Church, Christians, and our state and nation. It reflects both the heart of the organization—a love for Jesus—and a recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities Christians will face in the years to come.

“For nearly 40 years, CCV has been a leading advocate for families, the unborn, and religious freedom,” said Aaron Baer, president of Center for Christian Virtue. “As we look towards the future, CCV’s new name and logo position us to be a powerful force as we advocate for public policy that protects faith and the unborn and promotes family and freedom.

View this short message from CCV President Aaron Baer on why the organization changed the name to Center for Christian Virtue.

Honoring Our History

In 1983, Dr. Jerry Kirk, then pastor of College Hill Presbyterian Church, and a group of pastors and laypersons had been praying for the Greater Cincinnati area for a number of years. These people shared a concern about a serious problem they discovered in their community—the expansion of pornography—and the harmful toll it was taking on the lives of men, women, and children.

In 1991, Phil Burress was named the organization’s president, expanding its focus and reach. Under Burress’s leadership, the organization became the state’s official Family Policy Council, associating with Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, and Alliance Defending Freedom.

In 2004, CCV led the marriage amendment campaign, which defined marriage as only the union of one man and one woman in the Ohio Constitution.

In 2016, after 25 years of faithful service to Ohio families, Phil Burress retired. After a nationwide search, the CCV Board of Directors chose Aaron Baer to lead CCV into the future.

Expansion

Over the last 4 years, CCV has moved its headquarters from Cincinnati to Columbus. The organization has more than tripled in size during this time, and is now a full-time staff of 9, and part-time staff of 3.

During this time, the organization successfully advocated for the enactment of the Heartbeat Bill to prohibit abortions once a heartbeat is detected. Other CCV-backed bills like the Campus Free Speech Act and the Student Religious Liberties Act have become law, along with expansions of the state’s EdChoice program, providing more families with access to Christ-centered education.

CCV also expanded its voter outreach and education with the launch of the nonpartisan BuckeyeBallot.com, and in 2018, worked in a coalition to defeat Issue 1, a drug-legalization constitutional amendment.

The organization also launched three networks:

• The Church Ambassador Network: a non-partisan coalition of Ohio churches influencing culture, impacting communities, and connecting with government officials, under the leadership of Ruth Edmonds, CCV’s Church Relations Director.

• The Ohio Christian Education Network: a network of over 120 Catholic and Evangelical schools working to protect the religious liberty of Christian schools, and to ensure every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education.

• Christian Business Network: a developing network of privately-owned Christian business leaders committed to standing for first amendment freedoms and against coercive cultural and governmental overreach.

What’s Next

The challenges facing our communities, state, and nation will continue to rise. In less than two weeks, the new Biden/Harris administration has executed an aggressive agenda including taxpayer-funded abortion, the elimination of girls-only sports, and attacks on religious freedom through executive orders.

CCV is rising to the challenge by expanding its public policy department, investing deeply in education reform, and cultivating one of the largest church and pastor networks in the country.

“While the challenges we face are great, it’s clear to me that the opportunities are even greater,” said Baer. “The darker it gets, the brighter our light shines.”

“Under this new banner, we’re calling the church to ‘GO.’ GO be an advocate for change. GO be a voice for the vulnerable. GO stand up for truth. GO fight to protect the American promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

For nearly forty years CCV has empowered citizens to GO make a difference. And as Center for Christian Virtue, we look forward to carrying on this mission for the next 40 years and beyond.

Stand with us today for our future! Make a tax-deductible donation today at ccv.org

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

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