How Church Leaders Are Helping Those Affected by Federal Job Cuts
Over the course of President Donald Trump's second term, the 45th and 47th president of the United States vowed to lay off federal employees as part of his initiative to reduce government spending and streamline operations. This effort is led by Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to cut $1 trillion in annual U.S. spending. As a result, employees with one to two years of service across various federal agencies were fired, including 6,700 employees from the IRS, 5,200 staff members from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and 1,300 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As reported by Christianity Today, several faith-based leaders have stepped in to help those who have been affected by these cuts. Bill Riedel, lead pastor of Redemption Hill Church in Washington, D.C. discussed the impact of federal layoffs on his congregation and the importance of telling the truth and pursuing clarity in a time of uncertainty.
"I'm not going to talk about government spending. That's not what I'm most interested in. But what I am interested in is that we have some of the brightest, hardest-working people I've ever known in my life who have lost their jobs this last week without cause," said Riedel.
Redemption Hill is composed of a variety of congregants, including those who work for the congregants.
"We know that we can't pay rent for a third of the church if a third of the church gets laid off," Riedel said.
Additional efforts by Redemption Hill include a WhatsApp group for church members affected by the federal layoffs and a Google sheet with job opportunities and contacts for people preparing resumes if facing termination.
In a Facebook post last month, Chris Davis, a pastor at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, stressed the importance of supporting civil servants and challenging stereotypes about government workers.
Civil servants "did statistical analysis of the efficiency of welfare programs," he wrote. "They watched over our imports from China to confirm that they are advantageous to the American economy. …They oversaw the safety of our food for the Department of Agriculture. They kept our parks system—part of what makes America great—operating smoothly."
"As you see the news of people losing their jobs, don't think of the sloths in Zootopia. Think of your Sunday School teachers, the men in the Baptist Brotherhood, the women in [Women's Missionary Union], the deacons, the choir members, and the neighbors around you," Davis added. "These are not the 'rich men north of Richmond.' They are as regular American as baseball and apple pie, and they are feeling anxiety as they see jobs being slashed and anger as they see themselves represented as waste."
Another D.C. congregation, Zion Baptist Church, is also providing assistance to those affected by the federal layoffs.
"I could say we are scared, for sure," said Madison, who was terminated from her position in the Department of Energy. "I think I finally got over the anger, but still, at this point, now it's trying to pick up the pieces and see what's going to happen. How can I put some things in order? Should I move some finances around?"
In light of that news, Madison turned towards her faith community at Zion Baptist, where more than 30% of the congregation are federal employees.
"Even in this present darkness, there is some light, and that's the light of our faith," said the Rev. Dr. Keith Byrd, one of the faith leaders in the District. "We can, and we shall overcome.
He noted that the DMV, D.C. churches, and the Black community are further negatively impacted by the job cuts. Byrd also shared that the church is providing financial assistance in addition to spiritual guidance.
"We have a benevolence fund and we're asking people to help us beef up the fund so in the event that there are persons who are laid off or have immediate needs, emergency needs, this church can help provide," he said.
He likewise encouraged individuals affected by the layoffs to find a supportive community, whether its a church and then some.
"None of us makes it on our own," said Byrd. "We all need one another, and so to Christians and non-Christians alike, Zion is open to be an advocate and a safe place for you to vent, but also for you to be enriched and encouraged by the fellowship."
Government-affiliated evangelical employees noted that several conservative Christians, who were initially excited by the administration's actions, were negatively affected by the cuts.
"A lot of Christians who are actually seeing the effect from the inside are starting to realize that maybe this is not what we thought or what we wanted—it's too much, too fast, and too indiscriminate," one agent with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. "You're destroying almost everything in your quest to find waste and abuse."
It is no surprise that the termination of federal employees would cause anxiety and strife, especially amongst Christians working in their respective capacity. We must pray for the Lord's comfort and guidance in their lives at this time and that the churches would be willing to provide spiritual support and strength to both believers and nonbelievers who are in need.
WATCH: DC Pastors Offer Help to Federal Employees Hit by Job Cuts
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/ABC 7 News WJLA
Originally published March 05, 2025.
