Two Christian groups have announced they are joining forces to rally one million social conservatives to vote at the upcoming 2024 U.S. Presidential election.
The announcement by Christians Engaged and the Family Policy Alliance Foundation comes amid concern that millions of "reluctant voters" identifying as socially conservative Christians might not cast a ballot.
During the previous presidential election, an estimated 25 million churchgoers reportedly did not make it to the polls.
"Friends, Jesus is not on the ballot. We may have to choose between imperfect candidates," said Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged. "We need to look at what the candidate says they believe and what the political party they stand for believes."
Pounds added that when we cast our vote for President "we are voting for the person who will hire the entire executive branch of government, and Members of Congress will, for the most part, follow their leadership, so we need to understand what they believe."
According to a new Barna survey conducted by Arizona Christian University, nearly one-third of evangelicals do not participate in elections, which could mean millions of Christians are going to be missing from the 2024 presidential election and other important elections – unless we turn this situation around.
The survey also showed that "theologically defined evangelicals" are no more likely than anyone else to be attentive to news about politics and government.
Christian Voice 'More Crucial Than Ever'
"In today's complex and often challenging political landscape, the voice of Christian conservatives is more crucial than ever," said Pounds, a former Political Consultant and Congressional candidate.
"Our communities are frustrated by policies that contradict biblical values, yet many feel disempowered and disconnected from the political process," she said.
Craig DeRoche, CEO of Family Policy Alliance Foundation, said the joint effort to muster one million socially conservative Christian voters was "not merely about winning elections."
It's about "instilling a legacy of biblical values and responsible voting habits in both current and future generations," he said.
In the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, Christians Engaged invited Texans to commit to vote in every election.
Nearly 92% of those making a commitment actually voted in the 2022 Midterms including 20% who'd never voted before, the organization said.
"An active Christian electorate can shape policies that protect religious freedoms, family values and the sanctity of life," Pounds said.
Christians Engaged will hold a conference in the Dallas area, Sept. 27-28, that Pounds hopes will "inspire Christians to pray, vote and engage." The organization also produces video curriculum to educate Christians about "civics, politics and biblical worldview."