ALCAP diligent in addressing moral issues affecting Alabamians

Alabama churches may not realize it, but they have a legislative “watchdog” in the form of the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), which serves as a voice for Alabama’s churches on moral issues.
   
ALCAP has been in operation since 1937 when a group of concerned leaders from among Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians came together to organize an interfaith temperance program. The founders based the organization’s foundation on biblical standards of an ethical, moral and responsible life-
style being an attainable goal for citizens of the state.
   
Throughout the years the organization has undergone several name changes, settling on the current one that members feel best describes their mission of bringing moral and social concerns to the attention of Alabama’s churches.
   
According to ALCAP’s executive director, Dan Ireland, “This organization is the catalyst in which all church denominations can unite in a consolidated effort to address moral concerns such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, pornography, promiscuous behavior and supporting the sanctity of human life.”
   
ALCAP is governed by a 61-member board of directors representing eight different denominations. The organization is funded through financial support from churches, denominations, individuals, company endowments and community organizations.
   
Several years ago ALCAP’s board of directors created a charitable trust fund through the Baptist Foundation of Alabama so donors wishing to assist the nonprofit organization in its numerous programs can do so. Honor or memorial gifts can be directed to the fund with only the earned interest being used for the ministry.
   
ALCAP is affiliated with other groups that have similar goals such as the American Council on Alcohol problems, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling and the Center of Science in the Public Interest.
   
According to Ireland, ALCAP has developed three programs to effectively achieve its mission.
   
First, through the efforts of trained volunteers, educational programs on drug abuse and addiction are presented throughout the state at various public and private schools. Materials are geared toward grades K–12. Included in the program are topics ranging from suicide prevention to anger management and conflict resolution.
   
ALCAP’s second key area of involvement is the support of communities across the state during elections involving wet/dry and gambling issues.
   
ALCAP also provides research materials on moral issues to anyone requesting them, and ALCAP representatives are available to speak at churches, schools, civic clubs and other groups. 
   
The third area of focus deals with state government. ALCAP monitors legislation on moral issues, informs legislators on the social and moral implications of such legislation and sponsors a weekly prayer breakfast for legislators while they are in session.
   
Perhaps ALCAP’s most innovative effort regarding the state government is assigning prayer partners for legislators and their spouses.
   
These “prayer warriors,” as Ireland refers to them, are assigned to one of the 150 names of Alabama’s state legislators. Each prayer volunteer commits to praying daily for an assigned state official. ALCAP’s staff notifies the legislator that he or she has an ALCAP prayer partner. Ireland said volunteers in this program are asked to pray not only for the official but for his or her family members as well. Prayer partners are also encouraged to send personal notes on special days such as birthdays or holidays.
   
Ireland points out that ALCAP tries to assign prayer warriors to legislators who are from their own home district.
   
“I personally depend on ALCAP to monitor legislation which impacts the faith-based community, as well as the spiritual nourishment I receive from the weekly prayer breakfast,” said Shelby County House of Representatives member Mary Sue McClurkin.
   
Ireland urges anyone who is interested in becoming a prayer warrior or getting involved in any of ALCAP’s other programs to call his office at 205-985-9062.