Serving and Resourcing the Church

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)

Our mission

The Church Ambassador Network exists to serve and resource the Church in Ohio to understand the times and know how to respond.

Our Vision

to see local church pastors have the tools and resources to equip their saints for the work of the ministry in our current cultural context.

KEY INITIATIVES

  • PRAYER

    Prayer is foundational to the mission of the Church Ambassador Network. It reflects our dependence on God and invites His wisdom, presence, and guidance into every aspect of government and culture. Through prayer, we seek to align our hearts with God’s will and intercede on behalf of our leaders, communities, and state.

    We live out this commitment through our Prayer at the Statehouse events, where pastors and believers from across Ohio gather to lift up our state government in unified prayer, worship, and the public reading of Scripture.

  • BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

    The Church is called to be a faithful presence in culture—proclaiming truth, offering hope, and responding to the challenges of our time with both grace and conviction. The Church Ambassador Network helps pastors and Christian leaders engage culture thoughtfully and biblically, equipping them to lead their congregations with clarity and courage.

    The Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement is one of the ways we live out this mission. This ongoing experience brings pastors together in a peer cohort to explore the real-world issues facing Christians today. Through shared learning, discussion, and strategy development, fellows craft biblically grounded responses that equip their churches to engage culture with wisdom and truth.

  • EVANGELISM, MARRIAGE, AND FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

    The family is God’s first institution—a foundation for individual flourishing and a stable society. When marriages and families break down, communities suffer. The Church Ambassador Network seeks to restore God’s design for the family by equipping churches to strengthen relationships, support marriages, and nurture healthy homes.

    In partnership with Communio, we are helping churches across Ohio evangelize through the renewal of relationships, marriage, and family life. Grounded in the findings of CCV’s 2025 Hope and a Future report, this initiative empowers churches to be a redemptive force in reversing the cultural and spiritual decline caused by family breakdown.

  • DUAL CITIZENSHIP

    As Christians, we are citizens of both heaven and earth—called to live faithfully in both realms. The Church Ambassador Network equips believers to understand and embrace this dual citizenship by encouraging biblical engagement with culture, government, and public life. Living as faithful citizens means bringing the truth and hope of the Gospel into every sphere of influence, including the civic arena.

    We foster this understanding through The Essential Summit, a gathering designed to help Christians think biblically about today’s most pressing cultural issues. Through teaching, discussion, and practical application, the event empowers believers to live out their faith with clarity, conviction, and courage in the public square.

    “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

    Philippians 3:20

Testimonials

  • Ken Harrell, Senior Pastor at Northwest Bible Church in Hilliard, Ohio.

    “As pastors, sometimes we lose sight of the spiritual battle that is raging for the hearts and minds of our neighbors right here in Ohio. In addition to their advocacy at the Statehouse, CCV also prioritizes serving and resourcing pastors through the Church Ambassador Network so they can equip the saints for the work of ministry in this current cultural moment.”

  • Brian Williams, Senior Pastor at Hope City House of Prayer in Columbus, Ohio.

    “Center for Christian Virtue (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…

    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 Jason King, New Life Christian Center in Lancaster, Ohio.

    "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 Reggie Hayes, Senior Pastor at United Faith International Church in Columbus, Ohio.

    “The Center For Christian Virtue is Ohio’s bright light continually exposing and pushing back the evil forces that are permeating the political landscape and trying to destroy the family.”

  • Pastor Steve Benninger, Lead Pastor at New Life Church

    “As an evangelical pastor, I so appreciate the good work CCV is doing to promote godly values in the public arena.  I’ve been impressed with their passionate, grounded leadership and their gospel-centered philosophy, and I hope and pray that their work continues to flourish for decades to come!”

  • Pastor Jeff Beckley, Host Church Pastor for Center for Christian Virtue’s first school plant, Westside Christian School in Columbus, Ohio.

    “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.”

  • Doug Taylor, Executive Pastor, Crossroads Church in Mansfield, OH.

    “Center for Christian Virtue and the Church Ambassador Network have been a breath of fresh air. We have thoroughly enjoyed partnering with this amazing organization. Their passion for helping churches and pastors engage in courageous gospel conversations is exactly what is needed as we strive to lead people to Gospel transformation in our communities and around the world.”

  • Al Yanno, Church Multiplication Director, Assemblies of God Ohio in Columbus, OH.

    “CCV is both a blessing and a valuable partner to the Church of Jesus Christ. They have represented biblical truth and important Kingdom issues in the places of power and government. Their goal is to help our nation, which claims to be "One Nation Under God," to thrive by advocating for policies that are biblically based, family-centered, and value the life and dignity of all.

    I have been equipped and empowered by collaborating with them both in the public sector as well as in the faith community.”

  • Pastor Rodney Lord, Freedom Gate Church

    "When Israel was faced with an existential threat from their nemesis, the Philistines, God raised up their champion. You know the story well: their champion, David, spoke these words as he proceeded into battle, “Is there not a cause?”

    Today, Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) stands as a modern champion, leading in the cultural, political, and spiritual battles alongside the church. They don’t stand apart; they equip, resource, train, and engage right beside us in these crucial causes.

     Just as the tribe of Issachar was vital to Israel's success—being warriors who ‘understood the times and knew what Israel should do’—I believe CCV marches under Issachar’s banner to provide timely and critical insight for churches and Christian leaders throughout Ohio.

    With full confidence, over the past 25 years, I have referred many pastors to CCV. They have always been a reliable, steadfast partner in advancing the kingdom of God, with their focused mission of promoting faith, family, and freedom. I am honored to call them champions and friends."

Upcoming events

  • Pastors’ Summit for Evangelism and The Family

    Thursday, May 29

    8:30 am – 4:00 pm

    Learn more about partnering with Center for Christian Virtue and Communio to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and families.

    Register Now

  • Essential Summit

    Thursday, October 02

    8:00 am - 6:00 pm

    The Essential Summit brings together hundreds of believers from across the state and nation to discover how they can put their faith in action, whether they're business leaders, pastors, educators, advocates, or simply Christians ready to take the next step.

    Purchase Tickets

  • Minnery Fellowship

    Fall 2025

    Ongoing Education

    The Minnery Fellowship for Cultural Engagement is an ongoing Continuing Cultural Education program to help pastors and church leaders understand the times and know how to respond.

    Apply Today

  • Prayer at the Statehouse

    Thursday, August 14

    10:00 am to 11:30 am

    Prayer at the Statehouse events bring together Christians from all over Ohio for prayer, praise, and Scripture readings to encourage and bless our state government leaders.

    Register Now

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Pastors Lee Davis, Ben Douglass, Chris Stephens, and Dr. Del Tacket (left to right) at CAN’s 2023 Pastor’s Conference titled, Christ in All: The People of God as Dual Citizens.

“We must situate the gospel in relation to the deep longings of the human heart. Our work will be less like winning an argument and more like breaking a spell.”
— Gavin Ortlund
“Don’t look back over your shoulder and pine for the supposed good old days. Don’t look forward with a sense of dread. Don’t run away and try to remove yourself and your family from a pagan culture.

Remember to lift your eyes to a higher throne, a greater King, and a nobler cause and you will be equipped to serve well in every way you can, and stand firm when you must.”
— Alistair Begg, Brave By Faith

Church Ambassador Network Executive Director Chris Lightfoot, Pastor Brian Williams, Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer, and Pastor Alistair Begg (left to right) at CAN’s Pastor’s Breakfast before the 2023 Ohio March for Life.