2025 Legislative Response

Our faith compels us to seek justice, care for the oppressed, and pattern our lives after the way of Jesus. Jesus was a teacher, healer, community-builder, and a voice for the marginalized. When necessary he did not hesitate to speak out against unjust systems in both religious and political arenas.

For this reason, when the government threatens to further oppress marginalized people, we as a congregation must speak up in opposition. In the same way, we are committed to supporting legislation that prioritizes justice and diversity for all people.

In the days and weeks ahead, Second Baptist is committed to paying attention to the work of the Arkansas Legislature and responding when our faith demands it. We will be monitoring bills and filtering them through a criteria that arises from the heart of our church’s convictions. You can read more about that criteria below. You will find resources inviting you to respond with us as a congregation and opportunities for your own personal advocacy. 

Above all, let us all be in prayer for our leaders as they work to shape our government in the days and weeks ahead–may they seek justice and act with mercy for all people.  

Our Advocacy Criteria

Second Baptist- Downtown is striving to make our advocacy efforts more robust and strategic as we prepare for the 2025 Arkansas legislative session.  We feel compelled to use our voices- both as individuals and a community- to speak to matters of peace, justice, and mercy. This page will provide information and response opportunities to bills that fit the following criteria:

 

  • Does this legislation violate the separation of church and state or hinder religious liberty for all people?
  • Does this legislation further oppress already oppressed people?
  • Does this legislation perpetuate racial injustice, the subjugation of women, and/or the persecution of LGBTQ people?
  • Does this legislation hinder the work of public schools?

2BC's Advocacy Efforts

Follow the links below to Google Docs with information about the bills, templates and contact information for writing legislators, talking points, and more.

SB3 passed in the Senate on January 29. This bill will be heard in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on February 5 at 10 am. If it passes it will go to the House Floor next. Join us on Wednesday as we speak out in opposition to SB3.

Resources for Individual Advocacy

If you are interested in your own advocacy efforts, below are some resources compiled by church members about bills that also fit our criteria. Follow the links below to Google Docs with information about the bills, templates and contact information for writing legislators, talking points, and more.

Presence Matters!

Our presence matters in these days. Check here for upcoming events and ways you can show up and advocate for justice.

February 4: Nourish Our Future

Join Bread for the World online at 6 pm (central) as they launch this campaign together, to make a historic impact against child hunger and malnutrition, both in the U.S. and around the world. Come and learn about the issues and the legislative priorities we will pursue over the next two years, why they matter for children, and what you can do to make a difference. Take your place in this campaign, and help us pursue a world without hunger.

 

February 10: Kids Count Day

Arkansas Kids Count Coalition’s Kids Count Day at the Capitol is back! From toddlers to retirees, we hope you will join us at the Capitol this winter to get inspired, advocate, and learn. We will have three tracks for young children, older children, and adults. We will kick- off the day with a rally in the Capitol rotunda at 9 am followed by a Valentines activity for young children, shadowing legislators for older children, and attending committee meetings for adults. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour the Capitol. We will have lunch at the Arkansas Education Association where you will be able to network with your fellow advocates and ask legislators questions about issues you care about. We will end the day attending House and Senate chamber meetings where you can learn about the legislative process first -hand.

February 19: Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Lobby Day

Save the Date and check back for more information!

Resources for Advocacy

he legislative process is a complex system that is often hard to navigate. Here are some resources to help make sense of the process.

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