After a break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania is once again hosting Lutheran Day in the Capitol in Harrisburg. People from across Pennsylvania will gather on April 27 to learn, organize, honor advocates, and visit with their legislators. SEPA Synod Bishop Patricia Davenport has selected Pastor Matt Staniz as our synod’s 2023 Advocacy Honoree. Advocacy Honorees are selected by their bishop to recognize individuals who have led significant faith-based advocacy in the public square in order to carry out the mission of the gospel.
Pastor Matt’s participation in advocacy has been significantly shaped—and expressed—through his commitment to The ONE Campaign, a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity.
PaSTOR MATT’s ONE CAMPAIGN JOURNEY
Pastor Matt, Nancy Shaw, and ONE volunteer Serena Carbonell with Representative Chrissy Houlahan on World Malaria Day.
The ONE Campaign was officially launched in Philadelphia in 2004 the same week that Pastor Matt graduated from seminary. During seminary, Pastor Matt paid close attention to the work of global activists who successfully campaigned for debt forgiveness to poor countries and for PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) which was the largest global health intervention in history when it was announced by President George W. Bush in 2003. ONE started as a coalition of organizations who joined together to campaign for ongoing global response and accountability until extreme poverty and preventable diseases are no longer the cause of millions of deaths among the world’s poorest people. Pastor Matt knew many of the predecessor campaigns, so he was glad to have himself counted as a ONE member from the very beginning.
Pastor Matt with ONE President, Tom Hart
It was five years later, in 2009, when Pastor Matt was invited to put significant action behind his faithful commitment to ONE’s efforts. Another pastor spotted a white ONE wristband on Pastor Matt’s wrist (he still wears a ONE wristband every day) and invited him to meet with ONE’s local organizer. That meeting happened within a few days, and Pastor Matt is now counted among ONE’s longest-serving organizers 14 years later! His first public event was a press conference with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who presented a declaration that Philadelphia was designated as a “ONE City”.
Letters delivered in Washington by Pastor Matt and Pittsburgh ONE organizer Brian Thomas.
Over the past 14 years, Pastor Matt has taken countless actions as a ONE organizer. He has brought together pastors and congregations—within SEPA Synod and around the country—to send timely messages to congress and presidential administrations. This has included letter writing efforts (including several at Saint Luke), regional workshops, national television broadcasts, and outreach at events including national political conventions and several concerts by musicians that support the cause (including ONE co-founder Bono, a member of U2). Pastor Matt regularly schedules and leads meetings with members of congress and candidates focused upon ending extreme poverty. The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes his letters about global health on a regular basis. “In my ordination vows, I promised to speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God’s love for the world. Advocacy, especially with ONE, is a way that I live out that promise.”
What Has Been Accomplished So Far?
When asked what accomplishments are most important to him, Pastor Matt lists these:
Ongoing global funding for PEPFAR and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria
Dramatically increased access to electricity through the Electrify Africa Act of 2015
Global access to vaccinations though GAVI – The Vaccine Alliance
Millions of children, especially girls, gaining access to primary education and beyond
Better access to private investment improving lives in low-income countries through the BUILD Act of 2018
The Mother’s Day when members of Saint Luke wrote letters supporting maternal health for moms everywhere.
Results “On the Ground” in Tanzania
In 2017, Pastor Matt and other members of Saint Luke visited Tanzania. During this trip, his commitment to serving global neighbors became one of his most deeply held values. “Through our partnership with Mikanjuni Lutheran Parish, and Julius Shoo, I came to understand both the needs and the infinite talent and passion of the African entrepreneurs, farmers, and community leaders that smart global investment is supporting. Through our synod’s companionship with the North Eastern Diocese of Tanzania, we visited an orphanage and fell in love with the beautiful children who were living there. While my heart was breaking that these children were orphaned, many because of preventable diseases including AIDS, I also learned directly from the women who cared for them about the remarkable improvements since the world began to respond. A few year earlier, most of the children there were born HIV positive and were cared for until they died. Because the world has stepped up, the children we met were overwhelmingly healthy. They have a future; their lives are not ending but beginning!”
Following Jesus Means Serving the Poor
It is impossible to separate our call to follow Jesus with the mission Jesus announced: bringing good news to the poor. In the Gospel of Luke (3:16-21), the first public act of ministry Jesus performs is to read the words “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recover of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” After reading this from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, every eye in the congregation was fixed on Jesus as he declared, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” In one moment, Jesus declared both his commitment to bringing an end to poverty and the undeniable role that we play. The scripture of liberation is fulfilled “in our hearing” which is followed by our participation in being the answer to the call of Jesus and to the prayer that he taught his disciples to pray: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”
NEXT STEPS TO GET INVOLVED
Become a ONE Supporter
Check out this How-To Guide to Becoming a ONE Supporter. ONE never asks for money or shares your information. Instead ONE asks you to use your voice as an advocate and provides timely tools to do just that.
Educate Yourself with LAMPa
Learn more about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania to participate in work that serves our closest neighbors. Sign up for advocacy alerts and take action!
Join the Advocacy Ministry Team
Volunteer to participate in the formation of an Advocacy Ministry Team at Saint Luke, inviting congregation members to learn, take action, and support important work. Contact Pastor Matt or the Saint Luke office to volunteer.
Pray with Purpose
Get involved by by praying. Not sure where to start? Here are some prompts:
Pray for advocates who speak up for the needs of the poor, including especially Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania and The ONE Campaign
Pray for public servants—elected leaders and their advisors and staff members—as they make decisions that have an impact on people living in extreme poverty.
Pray for programs and ministries (including our partners at Mikanjuni and the North Eastern Diocese in Tanzania) that are at work to improve conditions around the world so that all people may experience lives of dignity and opportunity.