The Times: Fighting for Truth
Grant to us, Lord, that we may set our hope on your name…
―Clement of Rome
Center for Christian Virtue's May 2025 Cincinnati Celebration Gala
Cultural Commentaries
Celebrating What Is Good — According to new Barna research, Millennials and Gen Z are now the most frequent churchgoers in the US for the first time in decades, outpacing older generations. I know many of you are witnessing this firsthand, and it was especially evident the past few Sundays following Charlie Kirk's assassination. Pray with us that this "quiet revival" turns into the great awakening of our generation!
Creating What Is Missing — America needs intentional prayer for a great awakening. President Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation 97 would be a good place to start.
Restoring What Is Broken — Where is King Jesus When Violence Reigns? was written by Colin Hansen for The Gospel Coalition and gives a good eternal perspective in the midst of tragedy.
Ending What Is Evil — Silencing Dissent and Affirming Delusion, by Carl Trueman, is a thoughtful response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Abdu Murray’s From Cancel Culture to Assassination Culture? Devaluing human life turns hashtags and de-platforming to bullets and bombs, written for the Colson Center, responds to the August 27 mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Both articles implore us to tell a better story to a watching world.
SEEKING THE GOOD OF OUR NEIGHBOR
LifeWise Founder and CEO Joel Penton testifies in support of the religious release time legislation at the Ohio Statehouse
Driving CCV's policy efforts this month is Romans 15:2-3, which says, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
We have been working on several important bills and projects this September, but one of particular note is the Tithing Protection Act (HB444), introduced by Representatives Josh Williams and Dontavius Jarrells. The Tithing Protection Act would allow Ohioans who faithfully give to their church the same recognition in our state tax code that they already receive at the federal level. It does this by permitting donors to deduct tithes and other charitable contributions from their Ohio taxable income. While the bill was only recently introduced, CCV is supporting and closely tracking it because of its potential to strengthen Ohio churches and local communities.
As we head into October and lawmakers' summer recess comes to a close, we will be tracking and advocating for bills that were put on hold over the summer. Our team will also be engaged in thorough conversations with lawmakers on issues such as marijuana, app store access for children, and abortion access, among others.
We look forward to God's continued guidance and provision in October as we seek the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that upholds the truth of the gospel.
Legislative Tracker
Review the September 2025 Legislative Tracker to see where all of the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV)-backed bills currently stand in the 136th General Assembly and pray over the bills that are moving in 2025.
Pray for Ohio
A word of prayer at CCV's August 2025 Prayer at the Statehouse
We have partnered with Pray For Ohio to bring you a monthly topical prayer guide that can be shared with your church!
The Prayer Guide for October, along with the accompanying prayer letter, focuses on the sanctity of life.
Prayer Requests
Pray for our Essential Summit and this year’s Ohio March for Life which we are hosting later this week.
Send prayer requests to Ruth Edmonds at ruthedmonds@ccv.org so our team and intercessors around the state can be praying.
Resources
Listen to Truth Rising with John Stonestreet, a recent episode of The Narrative podcast calling Christians to stand boldly for truth in today’s culture.
Watch or listen to Why "When Should I Get My Kids a Smartphone?" Is Actually the Wrong Question, this month's recorded CAN livestream featuring David Eaton, founder of Axis.org, talking about parents, kids, and smartphones.
Watch Truth Rising, a great documentary hosted by two great friends of CCV–Os Guinness and John Stonestreet.
Do you have anyone in your congregation looking for employment? Please share this Job Board from the Christian Business Partnership (CBP). These Christian employers are looking for employees who will share in their mission.
If you believe other pastors in your network would benefit from receiving The Times, please forward this to them and encourage them to subscribe!
Praise and worship at CCV's 2024 Essential Summit
Upcoming Events
Register now for our final Prayer at the Statehouse of 2025, which will take place on Wednesday, October 29.
Our next CAN livestream is coming up in October with guest speaker Carl Trueman. The Times newsletter for October will include a link to the livestream recording.
Rest and Renewal
My family and I took a vacation this month to Florida. Thanks to Quiet Waters Ministries’ Vacation Program, we were able to stay in a beautiful two-bedroom suite at a Marriott Vacation Club resort for seven nights, and it only cost us $299! We didn’t have to sit through any tours or time-share presentations.
If you have other Rest and Renewal suggestions that we should share with the pastors in our network, let us know! We are building out a list of properties/retreats that we will soon begin sharing each month in The Times!
Pastor Testimony
I’ve been actively participating with CCV for the past couple of years now and I can say without a doubt that the work and efforts of this organization are essential to the protection of family values and virtue. Their support of godly virtues and family in the realms of church and politics is unwavering and strong. They truly are the "tip of the spear" in regards to fighting for Life and Family! – Pastor Jason King, New Life Christian Center
Closing Thoughts
Acts 4:29-31 - The Believers Pray for Boldness
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Serving and Resourcing Pastors in 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.
