Our mission is to contend
for
the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good.
Dear Friends,
What an extraordinary privilege it is to introduce to you the Center for Christianity and Public Life’s first-ever annual report. We are here because of you. The emerging ecosystem of changed lives and transformative leaders described in this report is a result of your support. Without your prayers, your partnership, and your investment, none of this would be possible. Together, we are renewing the confidence of civic leaders, Christians, and the general public that Christianity has powerful, positive, and essential contributions to make for the good of the public, today.
As you read through this report, I hope you will look ahead with us and imagine the kind of politics and public life we are building together. It is a special and valuable thing to have clear vision and purpose, and a commitment to build toward that vision over the long-haul. At CCPL, we do not believe this is a time to simply wait for things to improve, nor does the moment call for anxious, short-term thinking and reactionary projects. Instead, we believe in determined work with immediate impact and a long-term horizon. We are committed to faithfulness, and what Eugene Peterson referred to as “a long obedience in the same direction.”
The future we see is one in which Christian formation and Christian imagination contribute to a healthier politics and public life for everyone. We are building a community of people who see the disrepair in our politics and public life and find in it not a reason for cynicism, but a call for service. Not only can we imagine such a future–we see it emerging through the work you will read about in this report.
We want you to dream with us as we continue on this journey. We have accomplished a great deal together, but there is much more to do. It is easy to be cynical these days, but perhaps the next time you’re in a conversation where someone is complaining about the state of our politics, you will be able to joyfully respond:
“Have you heard about the Center for Christianity and Public Life?”
Michael Wear, President and CEO michael@ccpubliclife.org
Our Vision
Nonpartisan, deeply personal, and drawing from a rich diversity of Christian resources to equip leaders with both knowledge and practice to engage civic life with enduring impact. A healthier politics and public life that benefit from positive Christian contributions.
Our Approach
Our Model
Christian Civic Formation
Civic Renewal Public Imagination
We grow, resource, convene, and represent the community of Christians who are convinced that spiritual formation is central to civic renewal. We do this work principally through an ecosystem of programs focused on different groups of current and future civic leaders, including our Public Life Fellowship, our young professionals network, private retreats for senior civic leaders, and the Public Good Generation, our high school civics program.
We explain Christianity to the public and offer Christian resources for the good of the public. We produce new research and leverage existing research, and we convene scholars, civic leaders and other stakeholders to drive ideas, shape national discourse and press coverage, and inform and influence decisionmakers. We offer Christian contributions to civic leaders–and through them, the broader public–to advance civic renewal.
Our Milestones
Launched Programs
• Public Life Fellowship (p. 10)
• Community of Young Christians in Politics (p. 11)
• For the Good of the Public: Annual Summit (p. 14)
January
• The Spirit of Our Politics published (p. 16)
• Launched weekend silent retreats for Community of Young Christians in Politics
June
• Launched the For the Good of the Public Podcast (p. 17)
Public Launch of CCPL
“Most Christian political organizations argue for politicians to take a position on a few issues of particular concern. [Michael] Wear’s new group, the Center for Christianity & Public Life, will argue that leaders in politics and elsewhere should emphasize personal character and service to the least fortunate.”
Jon Ward, Yahoo News, October 2022
March
• Began 2024 Public Life Fellowship cohort
October
• Second annual For the Good of the Public summit in Washington D.C.
• Second annual Civic Renewal Awards honoring Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner and Mack McCarter (p. 14)
December
• Annual revenue surpasses $2 million (p. 18)
July November
• Launched high school program: Public Good Generation (p. 11)
• Chris Butler, Pastor and Civic Leader, joins CCPL as Director of Christian Civic Formation (p. 20)
Meeting the Moment
During a tumultuous and challenging election year, CCPL advanced a vision of politics as service, and provided tangible support to civic leaders, churches, families and the general public to live into that vision. Our work informed the discourse around the election, without being consumed by it. 2024 marked a critical milestone for CCPL, as we laid the foundation for sustainable, imaginative communities of civic leaders that can nourish our politics back to health. We are grateful for our partners—we are grateful for you—and we are hopeful about what we can do together in the years ahead, building on what we accomplished in 2024.
Our National Presence
Programs
CCPL serves civic leaders all across the country. Our program participants in 2024, including faculty and mentors, came from 56 different cities across the country.
Events
CCPL took to the road this year! Our President, Michael Wear, spoke at churches, leadership conferences, and community gatherings across the country about the importance of spiritual formation for civic renewal. We engaged with pastors and their congregants, academics, board members, college students, business leaders, politicians, and more.
Resourcing Leaders, Churches & Organizations. Investing in Civic Renewal.
In 2024: 100 cities. 28 states. Over 55 events. 23,000+ people served.
Dallas, Texas
Irresistible Church Network’s Lead Pastor Gathering 2024 CCPL’s President was invited to deliver a keynote address to an audience of 200+ pastors from across the country on spiritual formation, political sectarianism and resources for pastoral leadership in the context of the local church and in broader society.
Richmond, Virginia
For Richmond
A private convening with senior-level pastors in Richmond, followed by an evening event with leaders from across the city in non-profit, government, and business sectors.
Miami, Florida
Knight Media Forum
The premier gathering for those working on the future of local news in the United States, hosted by the Knight Foundation.
“We had a robust, collaborative conversation with other practitioners in the room about how local news organizations can more deeply engage communities of faith. I was particularly touched by the calls from many in the room for both communities of faith and secular organizations to build moral knowledge in their communities alongside scientific and other forms of knowledge.”
Richard Young, Executive Director of CivicLex and panelist with with CCPL’s President at the Knight Media Forum
We are driving a new conversation about the connection between spiritual formation and politics.
At the Center for Christianity and Public Life, we are investing in the character and talent of present and future civic leaders who are committed to public service. We believe politics can be a forum for loving our neighbors. This is not a naive pipe dream; we believe it because we see it every day. And it is because we are doing this work that we have the confidence to imagine and build toward a healthier politics.
In 2024:
13 26 16 71
Public Life Fellows
Public Life Fellowship Mentors
“I can say with certainty that the community in CYCP has been a certain anchor of faith in otherwise very difficult and uncertain times.”
— A Member of our Community of Young Christians in Politics
“I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for putting together such a wonderful program for the students. I kid you not, [Student] came home noticably changed. She was vibrant with enthusiasm, excited to share good memories, and is laser focused now on a future in International Relations. Make no mistake: YOU did that! CCPL put together a solid, well-organized program that was educational, enriching, and kept the students engaged.”
— A Public Good Generation Parent
High school students in our pilot year
Young professionals in our network
Public Life Fellowship
Our Public Life Fellowship is our flagship program. It is a ninemonth fellowship serving an intergenerational class of established Christian civic leaders interested in intensive, community-based learning about the intersection of faith and public service. The program is a “civic accelerator” that combines world-class resources related to practical civic leadership issues with an integrated, foundation-deep emphasis on personal character and spiritual formation. 100% of fellows told us that because of our retreats, they felt better equipped to lead and navigate challenges during an intense and divisive election year.
Community of Young Christians in Politics
The Community of Young Christians in Politics (CYCP) is an exclusive group of Christian professionals (35 and under) that meets multiple times a month in intentional conversation to build bridges, encourage one another in their spiritual well-being, and challenge each other in how their faith impacts their public service. CYCP members include U.S. Senate and House staffers, White House and federal agency staff, nonprofit executives, and journalists. 88% of surveyed CYCP members agreed that this community has provided a space for them to explore the intersection of their faith and vocation and to find a community of like-minded people asking the same questions.
Public Good Generation
This year we launched a brand new program, the Public Good Generation, designed exclusively for rising high school juniors and seniors and recent high school graduates who are passionate about faith, politics, and public service. This five-day immersive experience in Washington D.C. provides students with hands-on learning, leadership development, vocational discernment, and exclusive access to civic leaders on Capitol Hill. 100% of students said they learned how to navigate disagreement healthily. 100% also said that after attending the Public Good Generation, they believe that Christianity has a positive future in America.
One Year Out with 2023 Public Life Fellow
Marlon Brown
Michigan State Cabinet, Lansing, MI
You’ve had a lot of transition since the end of the Public Life Fellowship. What’s changed about your role in the last year?
Toward the end of my Public Life Fellowship in 2023, I was appointed to serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This was originally an interim appointment after the previous director announced her retirement from state government. However, in February 2024, I was permanently appointed to the position. As director of LARA, I serve in the Michigan Governor’s cabinet, and I lead the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating nearly two million individuals and entities in the state.
You wrote about how to approach public service with a pastoral heart in the 2023 Journal of Ideas. How did your perspective on this develop during the Public Life Fellowship?
I’ve always believed that public service is a form of ministry. I like that in some countries the word “minister” is used to describe government officials. This speaks to our role of being a servant and “ministering” to the needs of the people in our community, state, and nation. I came into the fellowship with this foundational idea, but during the retreats I found myself truly reflecting on what authentic Christian leadership should look like in the context of public service. Through our intentional focus on spiritual formation, as well as meaningful and heartfelt conversations with mentors and fellows, I came away with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to lead and serve others in a more Christ-like manner. For me this entails a commitment to exhibit greater compassion, humility, and inclusion through public service.
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How did your time as a Public Life Fellow equip you to meet challenges with integrity as you continue to serve and lead?
My time as a Public Life Fellow really strengthened my hope and resolve that there is an appropriate place for faith within public life. The fellowship helped deepen my own prayer life by exploring different spiritual practices and disciplines. This has been critical for me as I serve in a stressful and highly visible public role. Prayer helps me to anchor my day and position myself to listen for God’s voice and discern God’s will as I encounter challenging circumstances or make difficult decisions. The fellowship also helped me to be more introspective about how I am representing Christ in the public square. This has equipped me to confront questions about personal integrity and the integrity of my department. Sometimes my position means encountering questionable situations or choosing between less-than-ideal options, but through regular prayer and self-reflection I try to demonstrate integrity in everything that I do.
As a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and a senior civic leader in your state, you’ve seen our politics up close. What encouragement would you give to the CCPL community about the possibilities of public service in our civic life?
Politics can be very distressing at times, and it is easy to become discouraged, disengaged, or even lose hope. My encouragement is to stay engaged and to remain hopeful! I pursued a career in public service because I truly believe that it is the place where I can do a tremendous amount of good and positively impact the lives of others. At a time when people are deciding to tune out politics, what we really need is for people of faith and people of goodwill to lean into public life. We are called to “seek the welfare” of the place where God has planted us (Jeremiah 29:7). Maybe that means running for office, but that could also mean simply working on a problem in your neighborhood, school, or community. Maybe that means going out of your way to show love, kindness, and compassion to others. Maybe that means building authentic relationships with people who are different from you. Whatever that means for your life, if we all find meaningful ways to stay engaged while also living in hope, we will be a light in the darkness. That is how we become the change that we seek in the world.
Public Life Fellowship Journal of Ideas
The Journal of Ideas is a capstone collection of essays on strengthening our shared civic life, contributed annually by each cohort of Public Life Fellows. Scan the QR code to read the 2023 and 2024 Journals of Ideas. 13
We are inviting civic leaders into a better story
.
More than ever, it is crucial that Christians tell our own story of public contribution, instead of letting today’s divisive political landscape tell our story for us. We have a powerful opportunity to counter the cynicism of the moment with a vision for a healthier politics that benefits from positive Christian contributions in our time, for the good of our neighbors. Our annual summit, For the Good of the Public, gathers leaders from faith communities, civic and policy spheres, academia and media, and philanthropy and social impact sectors, who are eager for Christians to serve their neighbors, their neighborhoods, and the nation. Participants have heard from former heads of state, United States Senators, international human rights advocates, organizational leaders, artists, and intellectuals.
Featured 2024 summit speakers from left to right: Romanita Hairston, Murdock Trust; Jessica Grose, The New York Times; Eduard Heger, Former Prime Minister of Slovakia
“I came into the Summit expecting to hear good ideas from thoughtful people, but kept my distance, not expecting to receive anything out of it personally or spiritually. I’m walking away deeply encouraged by this community. Thank you for helping me do the work God has put before me.”
— A 2024 Summit attendee
2024 Civic Renewal Award
CCPL honored the Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, noted public policy strategist and voting rights advocate, whose award was presented by U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Thierry Tchenko; and Mack McCarter, founder of Community Renewal International, whose award was presented by the Hon. Secretary John Dalton, former Secretary of the United States Navy. CCPL’s Civic Renewal Award honors Christians who show exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of their communities and nation.
The Civic Renewal Award has earned national media coverage. Read one article here.
We asked our attendees a defining question: “Do you believe Christianity is part of the solution to America’s problems or part of the problem itself?”
Pre-summit, our survey responses indicated attendees had nearly a 60-40 split on the question, closely mirroring the state of national public opinion.
Post-summit, confidence that Christianity is part of the solution to America’s problems jumped to 80%.
Additionally:
• 100% reported making a meaningful connection while at this year’s summit.
• 94% reported feeling more optimistic about the future of Christianity in public life after attending the summit.
• 94% said that after attending the Summit, they believe Christian resources contribute to a healthy, inclusive democracy.
• 87% of participants were confident they had learned something new that they could apply to their work at the summit.
We are serving the public with resources to navigate our politics with hope and confidence.
2024 was an election year. Pastors, churches, families, and organization leaders were looking for resources to navigate a divisive political season. The Center for Christianity and Public Life responded. As a nonpartisan organization, we had the credibility to speak to audiences on both sides of the aisle, as well as those who just felt burnt out from politics. We provided resources for how to talk to loved ones about politics, guidance on how to think about your vote, stories and examples of a positive Christian witness, and a discussion guide for how to deepen your spiritual formation.
The Spirit of Our Politics
7k+ 34 13 million 27k 60+
Copies sold Podcast interviews Speaking engagements Directly engaged book through events & groups
“The Spirit of Our Politics gets to the heart of our current divided politics. Michael Wear has written a powerful call that affirms the agency each citizen has to contribute to a healthier and more just politics and society. As a Christian, I found here an inspiring path to return to the heart of our faith and build a culture of engaged, faithful service. Our politics would be dramatically healthier if The Spirit of Our Politics was our guide, and I encourage my colleagues, and all readers who seek a positive future for our politics, to read it.”
— United States Senator Chris Coons
“This book challenged me as a pastor to think past the anxiety of an election cycle and into the deeper, formative practices of my congregation. It encouraged me as a parent to engage more faithfully in local political projects. And it helped me see through the rancor of the 24-hour news cycle into the heart of a God who is joyful, steady, and sovereign over it all.”
— An Amazon Reviewer
Reached through digital and traditional media
Discussion Guide
Alongside Michael Wear’s The Spirit of Our Politics, we published a discussion guide with reflection questions for each chapter. This resource has been used in over 170 small groups, book clubs, and churches across the country — helping them discover a new paradigm of political involvement rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
5 Questions Christians Should Ask Themselves Before They Vote
We designed a non-manipulative voting guide teaching Christians how to evaluate their passions and priorities and then right-size those passions and priorities into their vote during the election season. This was our most highly shared resource on social media in 2024!
The Morning Five Podcast
The Morning Five, a podcast that is aired in partnership with the That Sounds Fun Network, features five-minute episodes that invite listeners to pray, learn, and talk about the news without provoking unnecessary anxiety, anger or antagonism. We have been especially encouraged by testimonials sharing how The Morning Five is used in the context of family life to facilitate meaningful conversation and prayer.
For the Good of the Public Podcast
We heard from many of you that you wished you would have attended the summit! This year we launched the For the Good of the Public podcast, which features content from our annual summit, extends the value and utility of our annual event, and attracts new individuals to attend the summit. Topics include: building a culture of service and volunteerism, criminal justice reform, poverty and child hunger, and moral knowledge and higher education.
Total 2024 Expenditures: $1,046,926
Programs General & Administrative Fundraising
2023 Income: $1,087,587
2024 Income: $2,005,656
Program
We are honored to work alongside so many organizations that make vital contributions to the public good. Here are a few of the organizations we collaborated with this year, either around partner events or our programs!
Partners Press
The Center for Christianity and Public Life and our President & CEO, Michael Wear, were featured in dozens of publications over the last year. Scan to view the full list and read the articles.
Board of Directors & Staff
James Catford Founding Chair
Chris Crawford Founding Board Member
Michael Wear Founding Board Member President and CEO
Dr. Nicole Martin Founding Board Member
Chris Butler Director of Christian Civic Formation
Sarah Feinberg Treasurer
Phebe Meyer Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor
Scan to learn more about our team at CCPL.
TJ Ono Executive Assistant and Office Administrator
Board Profile: Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin
Founding Board Member
Chief Operating Officer, Christianity Today
Why did you want to serve on CCPL’s board?
I deeply believe in the need to create new narratives around public conversations and that our spiritual disciplines are key to expanding public witness. I also believe that God has appointed Michael Wear to lead this process. It’s an honor to support him and the team around him.
What do you like best about serving on the board?
Serving with such talented staff and board members and doing meaningful work. We’re making a difference, one conversation at a time.
Are there any memories or moments during your time as a board member that stand out?
I’ll never forget praying over this work together with a small group of advocates and friends at Officina in DC [during CCPL’s launch dinner]. I knew from that moment that God was doing something special and I was grateful to be included.
What excites you about the next five years for CCPL?
None of us could have anticipated how relevant this ministry would be to American society when we started. The fast pace of cultural change mandates the work of CCPL. Seeing this now makes me realize that the next 5 years might prove to only deepen our impact and underscore our relevance.
Now Available: New Book from Nicole Martin
Check out Rev. Dr. Martin’s newest release, Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering & Surrender. In this transformative resource for leaders of all ages, Martin leads us through seven areas of traditional leadership that need to be reframed: power, ego, speed, performance, perfection, loyalty, and scale. Available anywhere books are sold!
Thank You.
We are encouraged by what was accomplished in 2024, and we are motivated for the work that lies ahead. This is a vital moment for our country and for people of faith in this nation. We believe Christians have something essential to contribute.
Will you join us in prayer and partnership as we continue to serve and build? With your partnership, we will grow and deepen our current programs, and expand our public work offering Christian resources for the good of the public. Here is how you can take part in our work in 2025:
• Attend our annual Summit, For the Good of the Public, on October 20-21, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
• Listen to and share our podcasts: The Morning Five and For the Good of the Public.
• Refer individuals for our ongoing programs, including Public Good Generation and our Public Life Fellowship.
• Partner with us financially.
ccpubliclife.org/donate
We must turn to what we will do, what we can build, and who we can become.
Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
@ccpubliclife Contending for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good.
Our mailing address is 5730 Cottonworth Avenue, #10417, Baltimore, MD 21209-9998.
The Center for Christianity and Public Life is a tax-deductible organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.