The following is a press release from CBF-partner Fellowship Southwest, who is rebranding and will now be known as FaithWorks—www.faithworks.com. CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley offered the following statement of support:
“Almost nine years ago, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship participated in the founding of Fellowship Southwest as a regional ministry focused on advocacy, ecumenism and theological education. Marv Knox offered remarkable leadership in the early years and growth of the ministry,” said Baxley. “Now Stephen Reeves, the other members of the staff and board have led the organization to an even more powerful vision that is incredibly necessary in this moment. I celebrate the clarity of calling that is behind the new name and look forward to close partnership between CBF and FaithWorks in areas of advocacy, mission, ecumenism and theological education. This is a day for celebration, gratitude for what God has done and faithful anticipation of all that is next.”
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FaithWorks mobilizes Christians to practice compassion and pursue justice.
Fellowship Southwest is rebranding and will now be known as FaithWorks. The focus and mission of the organization will continue; putting faith to work outside the walls of the church through compassion and justice. The new name more accurately reflects this work.
Inspired by James 2:14, FaithWorks believes one’s faith is made real to the world when living out the love of neighbor in tangible ways.
Executive Director Stephen Reeves says, “We’re so excited to share this news and look forward to the growth we feel it will enable. We’re grateful for all those who have contributed and partnered with Fellowship Southwest for the past eight years. I believe our future is bright and that a Christian organization that crosses boundaries of denomination and race and seeks to be faithful, thoughtful, courageous and kind is more important than ever.”
Begun in 2017 as a project of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Fellowship Southwest has grown in scope and clarified its mission distinct from its origin as a denominational region. Incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2021, the new name will help clarify the mission and partnership potential beyond Baptist roots.
Reeves continues, “We are so grateful for the creative vision of our founders and the continuing partnership with CBF. By taking a risk to start something new, they enabled us to find our lane, live into the vision of our board and staff, and respond to the needs and opportunities before us. CBF is and will remain a close partner.”
The name FaithWorks removes any geographical constraint and makes clear it is an action-oriented, faith-based organization. The tagline, Bold Advocacy, Real Impact, describes FaithWorks’ commitment to working for systemic change while meeting immediate needs.
The colors and logo mark are suggestive of a monarch butterfly, which symbolizes diversity, migration, resilience, hope, transformation and new creation. “We have already incorporated the imagery of the monarch into our conferences and other materials over the past couple years,” Cameron Vickrey says, the Director of Communications and Development. “We appreciate how JAK Designs, who helped us with the rebrand, represented it in our logo so creatively.”
Director of Programs and Outreach, Anyra Cano, expands on the significance of the monarch: “On the border, monarchs are everywhere. One mural portrays the border wall dissolving into a flight of monarchs, with these words: ‘When communities stand in solidarity against injustice, borders disappear, justice knows no boundaries.’ This vision captures FaithWorks’ heart for justice and who we strive to be.”