Written by Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, and Rachel Baker, Communications Director
The North Carolina Council of Churches announces that Governor Roy Cooper will receive this year’s Faith Active in Public Life Award. This award recognizes individuals whose faith inspires them to uphold the principles of justice that are fundamental to the faith traditions represented by the Council. Each time the Council holds its biennial Legislative Seminar, this year on May 16 at North Raleigh United Methodist Church, we honor those whose public lives reflect their faith commitments.
As a member of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., Governor Cooper has served his local congregation as a Sunday School teacher and church elder. Throughout his professional career, he has employed faith-filled teachings to work for policies that benefit all North Carolinians, regardless of their background or circumstances. Governor Cooper is an advocate for job creation, public education, access to affordable healthcare, and addressing climate change, all matters deeply important to the Council. He is working to ensure that state government is diverse and inclusive.
Important to his policy work, Governor Cooper has also displayed a steady hand during several crises faced by our state. He has helped us weather hurricanes and survive the COVID-19 pandemic, while consistently demonstrating a deep commitment to justice and equality.
It’s not only his policy work that makes him a worthy recipient of this award. Governor Cooper’s faith is evident in his compassion for others and his belief in the power of community to affect change. As he said in his inaugural address, “Let’s reach together – to find ways all North Carolinians can afford to see a doctor. To get a quality education and a good-paying job. To reform our systems that hurt people of color and to live and work in an economy that leaves no one behind, no matter who they are or where they live.” These are some of the very things proclaimed by the Old Testament prophets and New Testament gospels to build God’s vision for the Beloved Community.
The Council and its Governing Board, along with our 18 member denominations, are honored to recognize Governor Cooper as the 2023 recipient of the Faith Active in Public Life Award. We look forward to the remainder of his term as Governor and the chance to work with him to create a more just and equitable North Carolina for all.
