In 1964, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA rallied more than 1,500 volunteers, including 254 clergy, to serve in the historic Mississippi Freedom Summer project. This movement was one of great courage, fortitude, and sacrifice, requiring the strategic navigation of the segregated political system of the time and the potential dangers that came with educating, registering, and mobilizing Black voters. The civil rights efforts were not without tragedy, evident in the murder of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, three young civil rights workers affiliated with Freedom Summer.

Now, 60 years later, voter education, empowerment and engagement remain critical to this democracy. As people of faith, it is vital that we amplify the voices of voters too often forgotten.

You can join activists and faith leaders in honoring the legacy of the Mississippi Freedom Summer movement and prepare voters across America to cast their ballot this election and remain connected to their communities through civic engagement.

This summer, your gift of $60 or more for NCC Freedom Summer’s “$60 for 60” campaign will help NCC reach communities across the country to register, train and mobilize people of faith.

Share this effort with your network of change-makers and invite them to partner in giving to this faith-based civic engagement campaign.