‘Anointed by God’ – Evangelical Activism Takes Center Stage Again with Trump as the Chosen Leader

By: Sam Watanuki | Published: Sep 06, 2024

Evangelical Christians have played a big role in shaping modern politics, and their influence has only grown since Donald Trump first ran for president in 2015.

One leader, Lance Wallnau, believes that Trump is divinely chosen to guide America during turbulent times, comparing him to the biblical figure Cyrus.

Wallnau’s Early Skepticism of Trump

Despite his strong support today, Lance Wallnau wasn’t always convinced of Trump’s place in evangelical circles. After Trump’s election in 2016, Wallnau recalled facing resistance from fellow evangelicals who questioned how a man with such a brash personality could align with Christian values.

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Lance Wallnau

Source: Lance Wallnau

Over time, Wallnau’s message of “giving Trump a chance” resonated deeply with his audience.

The Birth of the Courage Tour

Fast forward to today, and Wallnau has become a central figure in a movement that merges religion with political activism. His Courage Tour, which recently made a stop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, serves as both a spiritual revival and a political rallying cry.

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Former President Donald Trump tosses a MAGA hat to the crowd before speaking at a rally

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These events target key battleground states, aiming to mobilize evangelical voters for Trump in the upcoming 2024 election.

The Seven Mountain Mandate

Wallnau’s movement is guided by the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” a concept that urges Christians to take control of seven areas of society: government, family, religion, arts, media, education, and business.

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People of all ages and genders in a large group hold their hands up in prayer

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Once considered a fringe idea, the mandate has gained traction among evangelicals and serves as the foundation for Wallnau’s activism. For him, it’s about achieving both religious and political dominion.

A Revival with Political Intentions

Wallnau’s Courage Tour gatherings are unlike typical political events. Instead of just encouraging voter participation, Wallnau and his fellow speakers urge attendees to become actively involved in the election process by signing up as poll workers and watchers.

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Donald Trump pulling a face for the camera. Two microphones are in front of him.

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“We’re going to flood election poll stations across the country with spirit-filled believers,” said Joshua Standifer, one of Wallnau’s key allies on the tour.

Rallying in Eau Claire

At the Eau Claire event in July 2024, hundreds of attendees braved rainy weather to hear Wallnau speak, while tens of thousands more watched online.

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The audience wasn’t just there to listen passively—they were encouraged to get involved, with Wallnau emphasizing that sitting on the sidelines during this election isn’t an option.

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Evangelicals and Trump’s Divine Mandate

One of the central themes of Wallnau’s message is the idea that Trump has a “divine” mandate to lead. Evangelicals, he argues, should look beyond Trump’s past and focus on his stances on key issues like abortion, gender identity, and Israel.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Trump National Doral Golf Club on July 09, 2024 in Doral, Florida. Trump continues to campaign across the country

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“You can’t make America great again until you restore an awakening with God again,” Wallnau said to the crowd in Eau Claire, urging them to view the election as a battle of good versus evil.

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Trump’s Evangelical History

Trump’s relationship with evangelicals dates back to 2015, when charismatic Christian leader Paula White-Cain introduced him to other religious figures, including Wallnau.

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A close-up of Donald Trump speaking into some microphones.

Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Since then, Trump has leaned on their support, particularly through his controversial first term. Wallnau was among the first to claim that Trump was “anointed by God” for his role, positioning him as a modern-day biblical hero.

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The Aftermath of 2020

After Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, Wallnau and his followers supported Trump’s claims of election fraud. Many of these evangelicals saw the loss as a result of a “demonic conspiracy,” believing forces within both political parties and beyond were working against God’s plan.

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An image from the riots in Capitol Hill. The rioters are in the building. One is holding a “Trump is my President” flag.

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Wallnau justified the riots on January 6, calling them an “election fraud intervention,” not an insurrection.

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Wallnau’s Message to Critics

Despite criticism from outside the evangelical community, Wallnau remains steadfast in his support for Trump.

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Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Holds Rally In York, Pennsylvania

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He continues to rally evangelicals around the idea that the 2024 election represents a spiritual battle for the soul of the nation.

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A Movement Gathers Steam

As the 2024 election approaches, Wallnau’s influence among evangelical Christians is expected to grow. His message isn’t just about voting for Trump, but about becoming active participants in the political process.

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Faceless man reading the Bible

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From organizing election workers to encouraging grassroots mobilization, Wallnau’s Courage Tour has become a unique blend of faith and political activism, setting the stage for what could be one of the most divisive elections in history.

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The Future of Evangelical Activism

Wallnau’s work doesn’t stop on Election Day. He and his followers are committed to continuing their efforts beyond the voting booth, believing that the fight for America’s future requires constant vigilance.

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Donald Trump wears a blue suit and a red tie in front of a large American flag on stage

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“Christians as believers probably should be engaged in this process of shaping culture far more aggressively and intentionally,” Wallnau said.

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