April 28, 2022

By Aaron Weaver

DECATUR, Ga. — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced today the launch of a new congregational advocacy initiative called Amplify. An initiative of CBF Advocacy, Amplify is a four-part video series designed to equip churches to begin and improve ministries of advocacy. Through Amplify, congregations will demonstrate the love of Christ by addressing not only symptoms of problems, but also the systemic causes.

John Mark Boes, CBF’s Advocacy Engagement and Programs Manager, shared his excitement for this new initiative.

“Now is the time for congregations to engage their communities on a greater level,” Boes said. “I am excited about the release of Amplify. Many CBF churches do wonderful mission work in their own communities and through partnerships with CBF field personnel serving around the world. Let’s combine those mission efforts with advocacy efforts as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.”

“What if we were able not only to provide food for those in need, but could also address systemic causes of hunger and food insecurity as congregations?” Boes asked. “What if we can care for immigrants and refugees while finding a way to call for reform of our immigration system? What a beautiful expression of the power of the Gospel in our lives! Amplify calls us into deeper faithfulness with the risen and living Jesus. In a time that needs a positive, affirmative voice for justice, your congregation can be just that.”

Stephen Reeves, CBF’s director of advocacy, echoed excitement for the launch of this new congregational advocacy initiative.

“CBF began a focus on Christian advocacy in 2013. Over the last nine years, we have sought to educate, invite, equip and encourage impactful and faithful advocacy efforts rooted in our mission commitments to cultivate beloved community, bear witness to Jesus Christ and seek transformational development,” Reeves said.

“We have sought to model sustained advocacy in the areas of immigration, refugees and predatory lending,” he continued. “However, the most important work is not done in Washington, D.C., nor out of CBF headquarters in Decatur. The real cultural transformation happens within the local church. Through The Mission of Advocacy and now Amplify, we hope your congregation can learn to live into a ministry of advocacy as a natural outgrowth of a commitment to mission. Now more than ever, we need thoughtful, compassionate, and bold Christians willing to be agents for justice in their communities.”

Boes and Reeves note that Amplify offers concrete tips for a ministry of advocacy among local congregations, answering the difficult questions that frequently arise when beginning such a ministry. Amplify also reminds us that a ministry of advocacy is about our call from God to do justice and love our neighbor, not promote our preferred political party.

Amplify is a free resource, and its accompanying support resources can be accessed at www.cbf.net/amplify.

For questions, visit the above webpage or contact John Mark Boes at jboes@cbf.net. CBF Advocacy staff are happy to come to your church to answer any questions you might have about this work or beginning a ministry of advocacy.

–30–

CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith into practice through ministry eff­orts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission. Learn more at www.cbf.net.