About Us
“The
Mission: Christian uniting to seek God’s Justice in Oregon
We have a vision of Oregon transformed by a network of Christian citizens, rooted in the Word, active in the public arena, boldly proclaiming the fullness of Christ’s vision for humanity, and empowered to work together to shape public policy for the common good.
Board
Chair Jon Zall, Mosaic
Co-Chair Naomi Lambertson, Irvington Covenant
Furlton Burns, First Covenant
John Calhoun, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
John Griffin, Seventh-day Adventist
Don Klosterman, Lake Grove Presbyterian
Karen Nettler, Non-Denominational
Adam Rose, Seventh-day Adventist
Shoshon Tama-Sweet, Evangelical
Stephanie Tama-Sweet, Non-denominational
Bryan Colbourne, Outward Church Salem
Laura Goble, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Ken Loyd, Home PDX
Lindsay Ross-Hunt, Vibrant Covenant
Brian Vistaunet, Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist
Staff
Stephanie Mathis, Evangelical Covenant
Executive Director
stephanie_mathis@occv.org
Samuel Thomas
Administrative Assistant
samuel@occv.org
Interns/Volunteers
Emily Jameson
Community Relations Coordinator Intern
emily@occv.org
Mary Doyle
Event Coordination Intern
mary@occv.org
To learn more about our volunteers and interns, click here to read their bios
History
The Oregon Center for Christian Values (OCCV) grew out of the energy and interest generated by Rev. Jim Wallis’s visit to Portland in April 2005. More than 2,000 people heard Rev. Wallis, author of God’s Politics, and his message of a fresh vision of faith and values in American life. OCCV was formed by local committed believers to give direction and purpose to this movement of energetic citizens.
A grassroots network was built up in the Portland area, focused on expanding Christian social issues in areas such as health care, poverty, the environment, and education. We saw that much of the Christian community needed to be educated on these issues, and trained in advocacy for the purpose of changing government policies – at both the state and local level.
In September of 2006, OCCV co-hosted Jim Wallis’s return to Portland, drawing over 800 Oregonians to his keynote speech and OCCV’s first annual Faith and American Values Summit, featuring local leaders and theologians. The summit advocacy training prepared members of the OCCV network to engage in action and dialogue around important issues in their communities, including support for bills in the Oregon legislature.
In February 2007, local Christian leaders participated in the Interfaith Advocacy Day, reminding lawmakers that their commitment is to serve the common good. Over 300 members participated during Oregon’s 2007 Legislative Session by meeting with and writing to their legislators, writing letters to the editor, phone banking, and testifying in support of bills addressing care for the poor, care for creation, and care for the sick. OCCV looks forward to engaging its network in the Oregon Legislature’s supplemental session in February 2008.
In April 2007, OCCV brought local Christians together to talk about a Biblical response to concerns about our relationship to God’s Creation. The day-long event featured Peter Illyn, founder of Restoring Eden, and offered workshops and panel discussions to over 100 participants who spent the day reflecting on the theological and ecological aspects of environmental stewardship.
OCCV hosted our second annual summit on “Poverty and Politics: Responding to God’s Call for Action” in October 2007. Dr. Ron Sider, author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, urged attendees to become involved as individuals and churches to address the root causes of poverty in our communities. Additionally in 2007, OCCV established partnerships with local churches, colleges, and nonprofits to begin education and advocacy training programs. OCCV plans several projects to expand our work with churches, colleges, nonprofits, local communities, and government representatives in 2008. New OCCV chapters formed in the city of Salem and in Washington County with plans for others in 2008.