Advocacy may begin with missions, lobbyist tells Texas Baptists

Gus Reyes, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, spoke at the workshop on advocacy during the BGCT annual meeting in Waco. (BGCT Photo)

image_pdfimage_print

WACO—Advocacy means more than seeking change in public policy. Advocacy can look like membership in the local PTA or mission work, a Christian attorney and lobbyist told a Texas Baptist workshop.

bgct advocacy freeman425Kathryn Freeman, director of public policy with the Christian Life Commission in Austin, said to “start with missions” to decide where to be engaged in advocacy.Kathryn Freeman, director of public policy with the Christian Life Commission in Austin, led a workshop titled, “It’s Our Government: We Can Make a Difference.” The workshop was held in conjunction with the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting.

The Christian Life Commission recommends “starting with missions,” when Christians are trying to decide which issues they want to engage, she noted.

“Most churches have a missions or outreach or service pastor who’s engaged in your local community, who’s doing work in neighborhoods, both inside the church and outside the church walls,” Freeman explained. “So, through that work, you will see things that maybe rise to the public policy level.”

Volunteering can spark interest in advocacy

For instance, serving as a volunteer in a church-sponsored food pantry might spark an interest in other hunger-related causes, such as supporting school breakfast programs or organizing a community garden.

She emphasized the importance of building relationships in the community, from nonprofits and churches to local elected officials.

“Looking beyond your church walls, there’s this idea of partnerships and coalitions and joining with other good people that are trying to do the same work,” she said.

Getting to know local elected officials is a crucial first step in making change happen, Freeman said. She encouraged Baptists to introduce themselves to representatives by writing letters, even before deciding what policy issues they want to work on.


Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays


“Write to them and say: ‘I’m so-and-so. I live in your community. I’m one of your constituents, and I want you to know I’m praying for you,’” she suggested. “Introduce yourself so that when the time does come when your church or your community needs to go to this person, they know who you are and it’s not just, ‘Oh, you’re just another person coming to me when you need something.’”

Avoid ‘partisan issues’

Churches and nonprofits should avoid partisan politics, she advised.

“Most of the issues the CLC works on are not partisan issues,” Freeman said. “It’s more an issue of what’s right and what makes sense for Texas families, especially those who are vulnerable. You have to be intentional and consciously nonpartisan, reaching out to people regardless of their political party and going to talk to them about your issues.”

Priority issues for the CLC in the upcoming legislative session include payday lending, gambling, human trafficking, criminal justice reform, public education, hunger and nutrition, and religious liberty, she reported.

“The basis of this work for me, and I think for everyone at the CLC, is the gospel,” she said. “We believe that as disciples of Christ, we’re called to do this work. This is a way for us to proclaim the gospel at the capitol in Austin, Capitol Hill in D.C., and to remind people of our responsibility as Christians to care for ‘the least of these.’”

Freeman recommended steps to take to become an advocate:

• Start serving. From engagement in missions and community ministry, discover interests and begin to see where they dovetail with public policy.

• Make contact. Find ways to introduce yourself to your local elected officials. Building relationships is an essential part of being an advocate.

• Team up. Build relationships with other churches and organizations to make the most of efforts and build on each other’s expertise.

• Model Christ. Keep discourse kind, civil and filled with integrity and humility—especially when speaking with those with whom you disagree. 


We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.

Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.

More from Baptist Standard