The Full Story

About

Welcome to the V 2.0 Story of TakeUp.Org

Mission

Our name is based on our last mission as Disciples, which is to Take Up Our Cross and Follow Jesus! (Matthew 16:24) And while we’re 100% Biblical, Evangelical Christians, our work at TakeUp includes activism, in addition to evangelism. In fact, our Mission Statement is incredibly simple and straightforward: “Do Good. Fight Evil. Have Fun!”

The last line is included because we’ve noticed that so many of our Christian Brothers and Sisters are often despondent (understandably) over the situation in the world today! However, we’re reminded that we are taught to rejoice in all situations, no matter our circumstance (Philippians 4:4).

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to review some of the work we’re already doing, as well as consider the projects we intend to do — Lord willing of course! (James 4:15)

We need your help! Whether as a content contributor for the Blog, a video producer or editor, a Prayer Partner, a Donor, or even serving on our Board, there are many ways to help us in this great undertaking!

History

TakeUp.Org was established after receiving a significant gift from Houston businessman Ben Streusand in 2004. It was formed after Founder Rob Hurlburt expressed a vision to respond to the first same-sex marriages in Massachusetts with a rally at the Texas Capitol on July 4, 2004. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, was invited to be the keynote speaker, and Pastor Michael Hatcher of Ft. Worth also spoke and led the assembly in prayer.

Over the next 4 years TakeUp would produce several online video documentaries, capture and showcase opposition videos, and host Sunday evening events at churches featuring prominent activists engaged in the Culture Wars. A significant amount of work was made in support of numerous Pro-Life causes and organizations. TakeUp was a key partner in the Marriage Campaigns in Texas, Florida, Colorado and New Hampshire by raising nearly $85K to produce the Television Advertising and Web Development in partnership with Christian Ad Agency Sovrenti (2005-2006).

Despite this work, which included a 76.25% victory in the Texas election defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, it became clear that public sentiment was shifting in favor of accepting same-sex marriage. With the election and re-election of President Obama (2008 and 2012) and the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell in 2015, it became clear that the “Marriage Wars” (as part of the larger Culture Wars) had been lost. (Or ... ?)

Fast forward to 2023 and the main battlefront in the Culture Wars has shifted to Transgenderism and other Gender related issues and by extension are an attack on biological (objective) reality, itself. Gender ideologues relentlessly attack every notion of societal norms, using the playbook Gay Activists used in winning the Marriage Wars. What is lacking in the Kingdom’s response to the Gender Wars is clear communication to The Church regarding God’s Word, and specifically the Words of Jesus on the subject.

Re-enter TakeUp.Org v 2. Co-founded by Brent Bullock and Rob Hurlburt.