The Narrative

On this special edition of The Narrative podcast, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews share their raw thoughts on the passage of Issue 1, that, among a host of other detrimental consequences, created a right to abortion up to birth and without any restrictions in our Ohio Constitution. Listen now to hear what the amendment means for Ohio, what's next, and what lessons we can take into 2024. For further reflection, they referenced 2 Corinthians 4, Isaiah 62, and Psalm 27. Talk to Us Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode next week where your questions will be answered on the podcast. Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a very special guest joining CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews on The Narrative podcast this week! In this insightful and intriguing episode, Monica Snyder, Executive Director of Secular Pro-Life and an atheist, shares with listeners the secular perspective on why abortion is neither logical nor kind.  If you've ever tried to approach the subject of life with your pro-choice friends and family, and been unsure of how to refute claims that you're just trying to force your religion on everyone, you'll definitely want to listen to this conversation! For more information on the fight for life happening in Ohio right now with Issue 1, go to CCV.org/Vote. There are only four more days left to be a vote for the voiceless! More about Monica Snyder Monica is a political conservative with a scientific background with a BS in chemical biology from UC Berkeley and an MS in forensic science from UC Davis. She started volunteering with Secular Pro-Life in late 2009 and became Executive Director in 2021. Monica takes a particular interest in the biological facts surrounding the abortion debate. Talk to Us Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a ministerial family reunion this week on The Narrative podcast with Joshua Livingston, Executive Director of pureHOPE, joining CCV President Aaron Baer and Communications Director Mike Andrews. CCV and pureHOPE share the same founder, Dr. Jerry Kirk, who had a burning heart 40 years ago to see human dignity be upheld in Cincinnati. In a world where pornography is just a click away on any electronic device, slipped into popular TV shows, or suggested content in social media feeds, Josh shares practical tips and real life experience for not only protecting children from pornography, but equipping them for when they are exposed to it.  For free resources and help in combatting pornography, go to purehope.net. Before the conversation, Aaron, Mike, and CCV Policy Director David Mahan walk through  legislation that has had recent movement at the Statehouse that would protect children from adult obscenity, co-ed bathrooms, and online pornography. Check out CCV.org/Advocacy to learn more and contact your legislators! More about Joshua Livingston As Executive Director of pureHOPE, Josh focuses on relationship building, strategic planning, vision casting, and expanding the message of pureHOPE. Josh joined the team in January 2020 after serving for years as a board member and champion of pureHOPE. Josh felt called to ministry at the age of 13 and has been in and around professional ministry his entire life as his family started Central Church in Charlotte, NC over 40 years ago. Growing up in church gave him many opportunities for outreach, mission trips, and leadership. He attended Lee University to pursue this ministry calling, and there he captained the baseball team, majored in Broadcasting, and minored in Bible. He has served in some form of ministry ever since—from church planting to pastoring to leading worship. In addition to starting a nonprofit ministry in Africa, Josh has also worked as a business advisor for two financial institutions, and as a Donor Advisor for KLOVE/Air1 Radio Networks. What brings Josh the most joy is his family. He has been married to his beautiful wife Kate for 20 years and they have an 18-year-old son (Parker) who attends Samford University, and a 15-year-old daughter (Merritt) who is in 10th grade. Josh is an avid golfer who also plays a lot of tennis and Pickleball with his family. Thanks for listening to The Narrative! We value our listeners and want to provide an opportunity to keep these crucial conversations going. Get connected with The Narrative hosts by submitting your questions, feedback, and guest recommendations. We’ll be hosting an “Ask Us Anything” episode later this season where your questions will be answered on the podcast. Talk to Us: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining from Jerusalem, Michael Mistretta, CEO of Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM), shares the current reality in Israel with CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews on this episode of The Narrative. From explaining his mission work to spread the Gospel in Israel to the heart-wrenching reality of the current war to why Christians should care, Michael’s conversation is both sobering and joy-filled. To learn more about Michael's work, go to FIRMIsrael.org.  Throughout the conversation with Michael, we could see the name “Roni” written on his hand. At the end of the episode, Michael shared the significance of the name. To join FIRM’s initiative that was inspired by Isaiah 49 to pray for the Israeli hostages by name, go to PrayForIsraelByName.com.  Before the conversation, Aaron mentioned the importance of November’s Issue 1, the constitutional amendment that would permanently legalize abortion up to birth in Ohio. You can go to CCV.org/Vote for free nonpartisan election resources. More About Michael Mistretta Michael Mistretta is the CEO of FIRM, which stands for Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries. Born in Toronto, Canada, Michael was raised in the church and later received a call to Israel where he met Pastor Wayne Hilsden and helped start FIRM. From starting his own company as a teenager to his 12 years of ministry experience, he is an entrepreneur and innovator who is passionate about seeing ministries in Israel thrive and people coming to know Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah. Michael’s passion for Israel takes him around the world as he strives to build unique connections between the church and the body of believers in Israel, and shares about how God is moving in Israel today. Michael immigrated to Israel in 2014 and lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Vanessa, and their two young sons. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Narrative, Alistair Begg, senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland and a daily contributor on the Truth for Life Ministries radio program, joins CCV President Aaron Baer, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and Executive Director of CCV's Church Ambassador Network Chris Lightfoot to chat about faith, freedom, the Gospel, and the November election. If you've never heard Alistair speak before, you'll want to listen not only for his Scottish accent, but also for his profound wisdom and encouragement on how Christians should be approaching the life issue this fall. Don't forget to check out CCV.org/Vote for free nonpartisan election resources. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org   To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early voting begins next week, which means Ohioans will start voting on Issue 2, an effort to legalize recreational marijuana. Why is this such a disastrous idea? Why is it a lie to say that we can "regulate marijuana like alcohol" and benefit our state with the extra tax income? On this week’s episode of The Narrative, you'll get the insider's scoop from CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and Jaime Zerbe, Chief of Staff at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), on the dangerous realities of this addiction-for-profit industry. Overlooked concerns of commercialization that are addressed include: Tax benefit versus the amount spent to offset negative impacts Increased workplace accidents and fatal car crashes Children overdosing on gummies Black market opportunities for drug cartels and more! Want to take action to protect our communities from more drugs? Check out the free election materials CCV has produced on CCV.org/Vote!   More about Jaime Zerbe Jaime Zerbe currently serves as SAM’s Chief of Staff where she focuses on internal and external communications, manages daily operations, and provides guidance for SAM’s legislative and communications strategy. Jaime’s time in DC began like so many others: answering the phone in her congressman’s office. After some time on the Hill, Jaime served as the Legislative Director at a national nonprofit and advised on drug policy as well as communications strategy.   We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are thrilled to share Tucker Carlson's keynote address from our 2023 Cleveland Celebration Gala on this episode of The Narrative! Tucker delivered a powerful pro-life, pro-family, pro-Christianity speech last week that provided much-needed encouragement with two issues on the ballot this fall that could radically reshape Ohio. He highlighted the dangers of Issues 1 and 2, while also challenging believers to live out our faith fearlessly and with care and concern for one another. Trust us—you don't want to miss his riveting remarks! Before Tucker's address, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews discuss a critical pro-life grassroots movement among Black pastors, why redistricting must be a political process, and their highlights from hearing Tucker live. Looking ahead to next week, let us know what are the myths and questions you're facing about Issue 2 by emailing us at thenarrative@ccv.org, and your question could be answered on our next episode! We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In less than a month, early voting for Issue 1 will begin. Do you know what the text of this proposed amendment actually means? Why did they use 200 words to outline an issue they claim is only about abortion access? What does the specific language mean for current Ohio laws? On this week’s episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and special guest Maria Baer go line-by-line through the text of Issue 1 revealing why this is “the most dangerous constitutional amendment” that has ever been proposed. Find out what it will take for Ohio to reject this extreme amendment, why there is still hope, and what needs to be done between now and Tuesday, November 7, to protect 30,000 lives each year. More about Maria Baer Maria is an experienced reporter, writer, and podcaster. She co-hosts the weekly Breakpoint This Week podcast with John Stonestreet at The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. She is also published regularly at Christianity Today Magazine, The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, WORLD Magazine, The Gospel Coalition and more. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this new volume of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews bring to you a special kick-off episode featuring Bishop Patrick Wooden's powerful remarks and a roundtable discussion David had with Bishop Wooden and Lt. Collen Allen West (ret.) from "Returning to Our Pro-Life Roots." Find out why Aaron says Bishop Wooden's talk will stay with him forever by listening today! Before the interview, Aaron, David, and Mike discuss the most dangerous bill in Ohio that just got re-introduced by an unsuspected legislator and the deceitful pro-abortion Issue 1 ad that came out this week. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday, August 8, Ohioans voted roughly 57 percent to 43 percent against elevating the threshold to amend our state Constitution from a simple majority to 60 percent of the vote. We lost this opportunity to protect our state’s governing document from the deadly agenda of Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and other radical pro-abortion groups as they attempt to create a right to abortion up to birth. But this isn't the end of the story. On this emergency episode of The Narrative, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews unpack the Issue 1 vote. Next steps: Volunteer to help! Sign up to help us reach churches across Ohio. Pray! You can order our free pro-life prayer devotional, More Than Conquerors: Six Weeks of Prayer for Ohio, Women, and Unborn Children, at CCV.org/LifeDevotional. Donate! The truth is that we cannot do this work without the financial support of partners like you. Give a tax-deductible gift today at CCV.org/Donate! BONUS step: While CCV is actively preparing for the election, let us know what resources you would like to see us produce by emailing us at contact@ccv.org. We want to hear your questions, guest recommendations, and topic suggestions: Leave us a voicemail or text: 614-769-7077 Email us: thenarrative@ccv.org To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.  Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.