WASHINGTON—Last week, Sojourners, alongside more than 50 other Christian leaders convened by the Circle of Protection, asked all of the presidential candidates, Republican and Democrat, to send a short video explaining what they “would do as president to offer help and opportunity to poor and hungry people in the United States and around the world.”
The Circle of Protection has received videos from Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, John Delaney, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer. More videos are expected. By publicizing the videos, the Circle of Protection hopes to make poverty and hunger key issues for candidates and voters in the 2020 elections.
"The 2,000 verses in the Bible about the poor and poverty are not a coincidence and cannot be ignored or minimized by presidential candidates if they want the support of faith communities. Poverty and hunger are central biblical issues," said Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and president of Sojourners and co-chair of the Circle of Protection. "Christian leaders across the political spectrum, who may disagree on other issues, are called to support policies that protect hungry and poor people."
"I am thankful to the Circle of Protection for convening Christian leaders to promote this vital video series," said Rev. Adam Taylor, executive director of Sojourners. "With more visibility, we can shift the conversation about hunger and poverty from the periphery to the center of our nation's policy debates and political priorities. If we do not get into the habit of speaking about these issues and the people they impact, we cannot hope to solve them."
The Circle of Protection is a coalition of diverse Christian leaders including leaders from the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Catholic Church, major Protestant denominations, and faith-based organizations.
Watch the videos here.
For media requests, please contact Meredith Brasher at mbrasher@sojo.net.