Freedom's Journal Institute

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About Us

Vision, Mission, Values and Goal

About Us

**Vision** We envision a day when all bible believing Christians, regardless of ethnicity, stand for what we say we believe, and to actively engage in the political process that represents us. **Mission** To advance the Kingdom of God through sociopolitical education and engagement rooted in a Biblical Worldview. **Values** Our work is based on those biblical principles and values that aim to fulfill Christ’s mission faithfully, as articulated in Luke 4:18 and Acts 26:18. We believe that the gospel message has both political and public policy implications, which include long-term ministry goals such as “proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and releasing of the oppressed.” **Goal** We aim to create a “paradigm shift” in the way people, in general, and the African American populace, in particular, view matters of faith, race, and public policy. FJI pledges to vigorously challenge “liberal” ideology with those conservative principles, such as the R.I.S.E Principles, essential to promoting and sustaining stable and prosperous family and society.

Strategy

**Strategy And Objectives** The Freedom’s Journal Institute’s objectives include the following strategies: Clearly articulate and defend our perspective on issues of national and local concern using whatever forums and platforms are available to us. *Activities:* Publishing Freedom’s Journal Magazine, public speaking, media interviews, attendance at events, video productions and documentaries [e.g., A Matter of Faith, Race, and Politics]. Identify conservative blacks and other people of color and bring them together regularly, so they know they are not alone, build a community of like-minded individuals, organizations and leaders. *Activities:* Host an annual Black Conservative Summit with seminars and formal meetings to create a core of committed activists willing to study the issues and recruit others to join the cause. Help educate conservative people of color, so they become informed advocates and defenders of this perspective. *Activities:* Identify pastors and community leaders for training on public policy issues, write for publications directed to black, Latinos, and other populations; write white papers, shorter essays, and books elucidating conservative principles and ideas from a biblical perspective; help newcomers to the movement get on the mailing lists of national conservative, faith-based conservative organizations. Motivate conservative people of color to get involved in speaking out on the issues of the day, to act in ways that advance conservative ideas, and to challenge those around them to recognize and respond to conservative views. *Activities:* This issue calls for the implementation of conservative ideas articulated in the strategies mentioned above. It also means forming partnerships or coalitions of like-minded groups to help effect policy on a local and or state level. For example, the Illinois Freedom Project proposes initiatives in three areas: standing for Marriage, protecting life, and promoting school choice. In all these activities we recognize that the central element is that we are grounded in historical and biblical perspective. We realize that African American history helps to bring legitimacy to the conservative position we articulate. We understand that heroes of our past such as Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, among others, have themselves argued some of the same principles and values we articulate in our modern society today. In accordance with this understanding is that their stances and perspectives were founded on biblical principles that informed their opinions and positions on public policy. We hope that we do justice to the legacy they have left us.

Statement of Faith

**The Holy Scriptures** We believe the Scriptures, both Old & New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16,17). **The Eternal Godhead** We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). **Jesus Christ** We believe that Jesus is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate. (1 Cor 15:3-28) **The Fall of Man** We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Romans 5:12). **The Plan of Salvation** We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, signing the pardon of all who believe in Him. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). **Salvation Through Grace** We believe that we have no righteousness and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Christ (Ephesians 2:8). **Repentance and Acceptance** We believe that upon sincere repentance, and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God (I John 1:9). **The New Birth** We believe that the change, which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one (John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20). **Daily Christian Living** We believe that it is the will of God that we are sanctified daily, constantly growing in the faith (Hebrews 6:1). **Baptism and The Lord’s Supper** We believe that baptism by immersion is an outward sign of an inward work (Matt. 28:19). We believe in the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper by the symbolic use of the bread and juice of the vine (I Corinthians 11:24, 25). **Baptism with The Holy Spirit** We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. (Acts 2:4). It is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit daily (Ephesians 4:30-32). That the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon the Christian; and that we should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life (I Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22). **Moderation** We believe that the experience and daily walk of the believer should never lead him to extremes of fanaticism (Philippians 4:5). **Divine Healing** We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ to heal the physically sick in answer to the prayer of faith (James 5:14-16). **The Second Coming of Christ** We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent (I Thessalonians 4:16, 17). **Church Relationship** We believe it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:25). **Civil Government** We believe that rulers should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to the will of God (Romans 13:1-5). I believe that the Church should be involved in the political process to help effect change in our community. (Amos 5:24) **The Final Judgment/Reward** We believe that all shall stand some day before the judgment seat of God, and there receive eternal life or death (2 Corinthians 5:10). We believe that Heaven is the glorious eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:1-3; Revelation 7:15-17). We believe that hell is the place of eternal torment for all who reject Christ as the Savior (Revelation 20:10,15). **Evangelism** We believe that soul winning is the most important responsibility of the Church (James 5:20). **Tithes and Offerings** We believe that the method ordained of God for the support and spread of His cause is by giving of tithes and free-will offerings (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7).