In a controversial push to merge faith and politics, a Texas church has launched a training academy to prepare Christians for public office—igniting debates over the separation of church and state. Led by Pastor Luke Barnett of Phoenix First Assembly of God, the “Kingdom Leaders Academy” aims to place “biblically aligned” leaders in local and national offices, from school boards to Congress.
Faith Meets Politics: Inside the Kingdom Leaders Academy
The academy operates as a political boot camp, offering courses in campaign strategy, public speaking, and policy-making—all taught through a conservative Christian worldview. Participants are encouraged to see political office as a divine mission, with curriculum asserting that “neutrality is a myth” and urging the “reclaiming” of civic institutions for Christianity.
“Government was God’s idea first,” Barnett states. “We’re not separating faith from politics; we’re merging them.” The program’s materials explicitly reject secular governance, framing political engagement as a biblical mandate.
Critics vs. Supporters: Church Over Constitution?
Opponents argue the academy threatens democratic principles. “This isn’t about personal faith—it’s about enshrining theology into law,” says Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Legal experts highlight potential First Amendment conflicts if graduates promote overtly religious policies.
Supporters counter that the initiative levels the playing field. “Progressives have long tied politics to ideology,” says evangelical historian David Barton. “Christians have the same right to advocate for their values.”
National Movement: Evangelical Political Training Goes Mainstream
The Texas effort mirrors a growing trend. Groups like the Family Research Council and Faith & Freedom Coalition have trained Christian candidates for decades, but Barnett’s academy stands out for its explicit dismissal of church-state separation. Similar programs are emerging in Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, often focusing on culture-war issues like CRT bans and LGBTQ+ restrictions.
The strategy shows results: Over 100 academy-backed candidates won Texas local elections in 2022. “If we don’t act, the left will define morality for us,” says one graduate running for school board.
2024 and Beyond: Expansion and Legal Battles Loom
With plans to train 1,000 candidates nationwide, the academy aligns with rising evangelical influence in the GOP. Texas AG Ken Paxton’s declaration that America is “a Christian nation” underscores the movement’s clout.
But challenges persist. Potential legal disputes over policies like school prayer or abortion bans could test constitutional boundaries. Even within Christian circles, critics like Rev. Jennifer Butler argue, “Jesus rejected political power—this is dominionism, not discipleship.”
The Core Conflict: Divine Authority vs. Democratic Pluralism
The academy forces a thorny question: Can democracy coexist with leaders who prioritize religious doctrine over constitutional precedent? As faith-driven campaigns multiply, the debate over religion’s role in governance is no longer abstract—it’s shaping elections.
— NextMinuteNews
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