Our Story
A History of Serving Ohio
Religious freedom is more than the freedom to worship, it’s about being free to live out your faith.
Since 1983, Center for Christian Virtue, formerly known as Citizens for Community Values, has been a leader locally, throughout Ohio, and nationally advocating for families, and equipping grassroots activists to make a difference in their community.
The First Amendment ensures that people of all faiths are free to exercise their beliefs in their day-to-day lives. For Christians, this freedom is essential because our faith compels us to act – to seek the good of our neighbors and follow God’s word daily.
Yet throughout the country, laws are in place to restrict religious freedom, and to punish people of faith because of their beliefs. For this reason, protecting religious freedom is our top priority at CCV. This means we advocate for policies that:
Ensure government doesn’t punish people of faith for their beliefs in ministry and the marketplace.
Protecting the conscience rights of professionals.
Guaranteeing the government doesn’t stifle free speech rights.
Center for Christian Virtue advocates every day to ensure the doors of the church stay open, and the free exercise of religion is protected.
Founding
Fighting for Faith, Family, and Freedom.
In 1983 Dr. Jerry Kirk, then pastor of College Hill Presbyterian Church, and a group of pastors and lay persons 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. This concern was soon echoed by hundreds, then thousands, of citizens who united – in voice and action – to address the pornography problem in Greater Cincinnati. With the help of local community activists like Susan Bell, Kathy Woods, Pastor Clyde Miller and Linda Prince, CCV was established.
Growth
Faithfully serving for over 30 years.
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.
Along with fighting pornography, CCV took on a lead role, advocating for life, religious freedom, and strong families.
This led to the successful 2004 marriage amendment campaign, which defined marriage as only the union of one man and one woman in the Ohio constitution. Spearheaded by Phil Burress, the marriage amendment passed with over 61% of the vote.
The Next Generation
Faithfully serving for over 30 years.
In November 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 build on a foundation of 30 years of success, and take on the challenges facing Ohio today. Under Aaron’s leadership, CCV continues to seek the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.