Lance Villio, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, will be with us at Puckett’s for breakfast. Previously Lance was executive director of I am Second, video taping the stories of people who have overcome struggles by putting Jesus Christ first.
A little history -- In the 1990s faith-based groups had to have a secular affiliate before they could receive federal funding. Yet faith-based groups did a better job than government agencies at helping those with addictions and homelessness, with child welfare, and with other issues. In the 2000 presidential campaign, both major party candidates called for federal partnerships with faith-based organizations and George W. Bush (#43) issued a series of executive orders requiring equal treatment for religious organizations seeking federal funds to subsidize social programs. This let states open similar programs.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee created in his first term an office that would work with faith-based groups. He said we are all called to feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned, care for our neighbors, and provide healing to those who are suffering.
Lance Villio has been directing that office and will tell us about its work, what the opportunities and challenges are for a believer working in politics, and what we can do to help these organizations.