Not only does it make sense that trump is popular among evangelicals; trump is actually the perfect example of who evangelicals are. trump is the new leader of the evangelical movement. 

At no time more than Advent is our church year so in conflict with society. While we are focusing on our journey, studying, fasting and praying our way towards joy, the world is already obsessed with presents and decorations. Christians are forever citizens of two worlds, with a foot in each, and tonight those worlds are so far apart.

So, we share a few of our Christmas memories so that we can know that God was good and is good still. We share these memories and we pray that your spirit is refreshed this season. Times to fight again are coming. But relax for now and know that God is Emmanuel. 

Advent is the time for followers of Jesus to wait with eager anticipation for the birth of the Messiah. For many of our immigrant sisters and brothers, the hope of Advent exists only in so far as they know that there are many others who stand in solidarity with them advocating for justice.

Trump announced yesterday that his administration is going to “acknowledge the obvious… Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” Beyond the discussion of foreign policy, there are two major domestic concerns that persons in the U.S. should pay attention to in this moment.

One year ago we, like you I am sure, were still reeling from the image of donald trump in the presidency. And one year in one thing we know is that the reality of him in the Oval Office is far worse than any of us could have ever imagined. But still, in the face of the most horrendous leaders to ever sit in the presidency of this or any other country, I am so thankful that all of us has countered his every step.

The NAACP has been in the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.  Now it’s time for all of us to take action in the intersectional human rights movement!  This is a movement of those who are oppressed against a common oppressor.

Right now, the supposedly pro-life, pro-family Republican Congress is considering doing something that will be devastating to future adoptive families. In an effort to save money for massive tax cuts to the wealthy and to corporations, Republicans want to eliminate the Adoption Tax Credit. This is so horrifying and will make adoption virtually impossible for all but the richest of families. 

But more than anything, by far the greatest thing I learned in my time in Denver City was that the greatest source of change is love. Change happens slow and I mean slooooow, in rural contexts. But change did happen.

As I listened to Flake’s speech on the floor of the Senate and saw snippets of Senator Corker who talked to every news crew he could find sounding off about the Liar-in-Chief, I resonated with their newfound sense of freedom. To no longer be bound to defend something (or in their case, someone) they no longer believe in, provides a sense of freedom that is almost intoxicating. Liberation from systems that bind us, that stifle innovation, and that force conformation to impersonal and institutional expectations is like oxygen to someone who is drowning.

But even more, we need to remember in this current age of trump, our values must be greater than electing another Democrat to higher office. We must be for more than simply being against donald trump in all things.

We are writing because we see great promise in you and in your passion, though misplaced it might currently be. You seem to have a connection among those people directly impacted by injustice that those of us serving the Institution fail to have. We may have even once felt something similar to that passion, though we have seen the need to contain that passion and direct it for the good of the Institution; for from our Institution we derive purpose and identity.