The community problems we address as a justice ministry network can seem daunting, but through our simple annual process, we are able to make significant and consistence progress.
Listening Process - Each fall, we hold listening meetings in homes and congregations all over the county, and we listen to the stories our members share about the issues impacting their daily lives. The themes we hear in these intimate meetings are then brought to a vote at the Community Problems Assembly each November. There, we decide what new issue we will address in the coming year.
Research to Action Process - When we vote to take on a new issue, a research committee is formed, which spends the winter meeting with local and national experts to research the problem and identify measurable, unifying solutions. In the spring, we learn about the results of this research at our Rally. We then invite our elected officials to come to the Nehemiah Action Assembly where we ask them to take action on the solutions we have researched.
Investment Drive - After our Action season, we celebrate our progress at the Celebration Banquet. This season of celebration is also the time when we collect annual investments from our members as well as local corporations that partner in our mission.
Our Vision
In 2020, BRIGHT (Brevard Righteously Igniting Good Hope Today) was started by local congregations to help everyday people build the power necessary to confront injustice in Brevard County, Florida.
Though our seven member congregations vary in theology, race, and socio-economic status, we are united by our Biblical call to do justice. We see in scriptures like Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 23:23-24 that the Lord requires justice, mercy, and faithfulness from us all. Our congregations have vibrant faithfulness ministries, like weekly worship, Bible studies, small groups, and retreats. Each of our churches do generous acts of service and mercy in the community, addressing the needs of individuals. However, our congregations often struggle to fulfill the Biblical mandate to do justice.
As individuals and even congregations, we struggle to do justice because justice, holding leaders accountable for fair and just policy, requires power. Power in our world usually comes from two sources: a lot of organized money and a lot of organized people. One congregation alone does not have enough people power to hold elected leaders accountable to change the status quo.
That’s where BRIGHT comes in: through formal networks of relationships called justice ministries in each of our congregations, people all over Brevard County to work together to address systemic problems.