The second week of the 2025 Legislative Session was in full swing, and the Church Ambassador Network of Florida participated in the annual VOICE CONFERENCE at Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Pastors from around the state were in attendance as were the Church Ambassador Network’s Advisory Board members. Political activists, church congregants, and concerned residents from across Florida also joined those in attendance providing a wonderful cross-section of attendees that filled the banquet hall.
Early on Monday, the Church Ambassador Network’s Advisory Board met to discuss two important biblical and ethical challenges for Florida’s future. First, a Florida State Representative approached the network and asked if we might have a discussion concerning a comprehensive biblical blueprint for approaching affordable housing and homelessness. Second, we were asked to begin to formulate a biblical ethic on in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both topics provided fascinating input by the advisory board and the beginnings of statements which hopefully will not only be comprehensive and biblically accurate, but will also provide scriptural principles by which our civic representatives can best formulate public policy. Some important and exciting ideas and possibilities were explored in this meeting, and there will be more to come.
The conference began Monday afternoon and the theme was entitled, “Where Do We Go From Here?” The program focused on where we have been as a movement, the victories we can celebrate, the bills which are being debated currently, and a strategy for moving into the future to continue seeing progress in God-honoring legislation here in Florida.
Our speakers included:
Patti Sullivan, State Coordinator, Parental Rights Florida
Anila Lahiri, Liaison to Government, Anchor Faith Church, St. Augustine
Dr. Kevin Baird, Executive Director, Church Ambassador Network of Florida
Zack Pruitt, Senior Counsel and Director of U.S. Government Relations, Alliance Defending Freedom
Erik Dellenback, The Governor’s Liaison to Faith and Community, Florida
Pastor Earl Glisson, Anchor Faith Church, St. Augustine
Pastor Mike Matheny, Church of the Lakes, Leesburg
Pastor Zach Terry, First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach
James Uthmeier, Attorney General of Florida
Dr. William Rice, Calvary Church, Clearwater
The topics were relevant, inspiring, and focused on how the Church of Florida can continue to make a lasting impact on the public policy concerns in the future.
The topics were relevant, inspiring, and focused on how the Church of Florida can continue to make a lasting impact on the public policy concerns in the future.
The conference ended with an amazing prayer breakfast and a trip to the state capitol to engage our elected leaders on various topics which are of concern to the Christian community. We ended the day on the chamber floor of the Florida House of Representatives for a prayer meeting and a spontaneous address by Representative (Pastor) Doug Bankson.
It was Jerry Falwell, a highly engaged pastor from the not-so-distant past who said, “One thing I have learned about Christians, having organized them for years – when they lose, they quit. And when they win, they quit. We are just quitters.”
Now is not the time to quit, but to engage together as the Church of Florida and be the VOICE that will make a difference today and for a better future. Would you also consider supporting Florida Family Voice and the Church Ambassador Network as we continue to speak and minister into the civic mission field? You can visit HERE to find out how you can become a partner and faithful friend in this great mission field of civic government.
Kevin Baird, D.Min. Executive Director, Church Ambassador Network of Florida