DENOMINATIONAL MEMBERS
Break the Cycle of Violence Act – Press Release & Fact Sheet
On June 24, 2025, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) marked the 33rd anniversary of his father’s murder by reintroducing his Break the Cycle of Violence Act.
The legislation, which has 82 original co-sponsors, would provide $6.5 billion in evidence-based community violence intervention (CVI) and prevention programs to interrupt cycles of violence.
Funding includes:
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$5 billion to community-based, nonprofit organizations and local governments to support anti-violence programs; and
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$1.5 billion in workforce training and job opportunities for at-risk youths.
When coupled with common-sense violence prevention policies,
CVI investments are proven to cut urban gun violence rates in half in just
two years. Read the press release.
On behalf of our colleagues at Protect Community Violence
Intervention Coalition, join them, along with us, for a National Day of
Advocacy to get as many cosponsors on the bill as possible.
Advocacy resources are linked here: Fact Sheet Advocacy Guide
Welcome to the Ohio Council of Churches
A Jesus Christ Movement For Unity, Justice & Peace!
The Ohio Council of Churches (OCC) is a partnership of 17 Christian denominations in 23 different organizational configurations or judicatories throughout Ohio. While our administrative offices are in Columbus, the Ohio Council of Churches is much larger than any office; it is all of us, together, across Ohio!
Justice & Advocacy Ministries
Mental Health Stigma Reducation
Fair Legislative Maps
A Pastoral Word Regarding the Gun Violence at
Annunciation Catholic Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
As Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches, I write to express profound sorrow and outrage over the actions of a gunman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, whose violent deeds today, in the city's Annunciation Catholic Church, claimed the lives of two young students and injured 17 other people before ending his own life. We offer our prayers of comfort and healing for the families of the slain students, the family of the gunman, and for all who were injured in this unspeakably horrific shooting.
Of course, we know that abominable actions like today's gun violence in Minneapolis and in other cities require more of us than prayer. They compel us to boldly and visibly commit ourselves to the enactment of public policies that have the potential to prevent gun violence, and to collaborate with our neighbors in contributing our very best resources toward the creation of a culture of peacemaking and nonviolence. In such a realm, the peaceful, abundant, and flourishing life that Jesus offers to all may be realized, not just in the world to come, but here and now.
Let it be. Amen.
With Hope,
The Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.
Executive Director
The Ohio Council of Churches
Save the Date – Anti-Racism Sunday is October 19, 2025
