Advocacy Day helps equip churches to meet with lawmakers at 89th legislative session

On March 3 and 4, the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission (CLC) will host their biannual Advocacy Day event at the Texas Capitol in Austin and celebrate 75 years of ministry.

Katie Frugé, director of the CLC and the Center of Cultural Engagement at Texas Baptists, said she is thrilled to see “a gathering of our pastors and leadership across the state to come together, recognizing and celebrating the impact that the CLC had and is continuing to have.”

Learning how believers can engage in politics  

One of the roles of the CLC is to “equip believers in Texas Baptists on how to engage in issues that matter to them and matter to Christ, and how to do that in a Christ-honoring way.” Advocacy Day allows the CLC to “practice what they preach.” 

“Advocacy Day is an equipping piece, but it's also an empowerment opportunity so that we can help people not just talk about the things, but actually go and practice what we're trying to encourage them to do,” said Frugé

On March 3, attendees will hear from three keynote speakers and conclude the day with a panel discussion. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join John Litzler, director for Public Policy for the CLC and General Counsel for Texas Baptists, for an “Advocacy 101” lunch where he will discuss legislation for Texas 89th Legislative Session and how to have “a meaningful and positive visit with those elected to represent you.”

“Many people don't know where to begin when it comes to meeting with their elected legislators,” said Litzler. “By the time we finish eating lunch, attendees will feel empowered and equipped to use their voices to be a positive influence on the legislative process.”

The keynote speakers will be Steve Bezner, senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church in Houston, CLC Commissioner and author of “Your Jesus is Too American"; Tim Alberta, journalist and author of “The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory”; and Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists. 

Bezner will speak on “our identity as citizens in heaven and recognizing the role that political activism might have in that, in recognizing where those distinctions are.” 

Alberta will discuss “the intersection of evangelicalism and politics and where some of the polluting effects are” and encourage Christians to be humble and “think about ‘Where have we compromised our faith and our attempts to gain political power?’”

Guarneri will provide a biblical exposition of Hebrews 11-12 and show attendees how they can draw advocacy implications from the scripture.  

Advocating for what matters  

On March 4, Ronny Marriott, pastor at First Baptist Church in Richardson and president of Texas Baptists, will be the Pastor of the Day and give the invocation in the Texas Senate session. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with legislative officials prior to attending the legislative session. 

Prior to the meet-ups, The CLC will explain its policy priorities with attendees and help them think through why they are significant. Last fall, the CLC staff worked with CLC Commissioners to set four policy priorities: religious liberty, the sanctity of life, human flourishing and fair and just financial practices.

"With over 3,500 bills already filed and nearly twice that many that will be filed before the March 14 filing deadline, it's important for the CLC to prioritize the bills upon which we will focus,” said Litzler.

Frugé said, “the Capitol can be a little intimidating,” and navigating it with attendees makes talking to their officials “a lot more achievable when we do it as a team.”

"I love how Advocacy Day demystifies the process of going into the office of your state representatives and speaking to them about issues you are passionate about. Their offices are welcoming, their staffers are eager to help, and they genuinely want to hear what you have to say,” said David Sanchez, associate director and director of Ethics And Justice for the CLC.

Frugé said she wants first-time participants to know that “there's so much that we can do to impact policy.” 

“The most powerful voice that you have is going to be you talking to your elected legislative official. When you go in there and you can [say], ‘You represent me, and these are things that matter to me,’ that's actually what gets their attention,” said Frugé. “So, it matters coming to these kinds of things, and we want to help equip people to be able to think strategically about how to be an effective voice not only for their local community, but ultimately the Kingdom of God.”

Frugé said having believers be involved in Advocacy Day is “part of our role as being salt and light in the culture” and fulfills the Great Commandment. 

“John Litzler talks a lot about it. His phrase is, ‘Advocacy is telling people what matters to you. Christian advocacy is telling them what matters to Jesus,’” said Frugé. “There's actual policies we can support and advocate for that are a piece of loving our neighbor, of wanting to make sure that we're seeing just laws in our society… it's where the rubber hits the road, putting our faith into practice.” 

Christian Life Commission’s milestone anniversary  

The CLC plans to celebrate 75 years of kingdom impact by recognizing the previous CLC staffers who have paved the way for its current work. 

“I want people to know that this is an ongoing legacy ministry, that a lot of incredible saints have gone before us and [done] remarkable things in the name of Christ, and that we're trying to carry on that tradition, that legacy work that they began … and be inspired to keep it going for another 75 years,” said Frugé. 

Frugé said the CLC has invited all living former staff to attend Advocacy Day, and a resolution will be read honoring the 75 years of legacy in the Texas Senate. 

“Advocacy Day will celebrate 75 years of the Christian Life Commission's faithful work speaking to Texas Baptists about moral and ethical issues through a Christian lens. This joyful occasion will honor our past with gratitude while looking toward the future with excitement,” said Frugé. 

To register for Advocacy Day 2025, visit texasclc.org/advocacy-day. In preparation for Advocacy Day, you can listen to the “What is Good” Podcast Advocacy Day episode.