Over 170 Notable Pastors, Leaders Write to ‘CT’ President Criticizing Trump Editorial

Over 170 renowned pastors and evangelical leaders signed a letter to Christianity Today President Dr. Timothy Dalrymple. The letter comes in response to CT‘s recent editorial calling for the removal of U.S. President Donald Trump after the House impeached him.

In the CT editorial, Editor-in-Chief Mark Galli calls Trump’s actions “profoundly immoral” and cites the evangelical magazine’s founder, Billy Graham, and his integrity as part of the reason for speaking out as a publication.

But many in the conservative evangelical community did not agree with Galli. Franklin Graham publicly rebuked CT for criticizing Trump and using his father’s name in the piece.

The letter, signed by over 170 pastors and Christian influencers, expresses a similar dissatisfaction with CT. Charisma News received a copy of the letter via email.

Several notable Pentecostal/charismatic leaders signed the letter, including former Assemblies of God General Superintendent George O. Wood, the Church of God’s Tim Hill, Cindy Jacobs, Pastor Paula White Cain, Pastor Greg Laurie, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Pastor Robert Morris, pro-life activist Alveda King and more.

Signers also included Christian music artists like Michael Tait and Danny Gokey as well as evangelical leaders such as Dr. James Dobson, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Pastor Robert Jeffress and Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins.

The letter was delivered to Dalrymple via email on Sunday, Dec. 22, according to Rev. Johnnie Moore.

Below, read the full letter followed by a list of those who signed it:

Dr. Dalrymple,

We write collectively to express our dissatisfaction with the editorial Christianity Today published on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 calling for the removal of our duly elected president, who was put into office at the behest of over 60 million voters.

It was astonishing to us that your editor-in-chief, Mark Galli, further offensively dismissed our point of view on CNN by saying, “Christianity Today is not read by the people—Christians on the far right, by evangelicals on the far right—so they’re going to be as dismissive of the magazine as President Trump has shown to be.” It also came to our attention, that Mr. Galli has written other statements about Americans who chose Donald Trump over Secretary Clinton in 2016, referring to them as “These other evangelicals [who] often haven’t finished college, and if they have jobs, and apparently most of them don’t, they are blue-collar jobs or entry level work” as he describes himself with pride as an “elite evangelical.”

Of course, it’s up to your publication to decide whether or not your magazine intends to be a voice of evangelicals like those represented by the signatories below, and it is up to us and those evangelicals like us to decide if we should subscribe to, advertise in and read your publication online and in print, but historically, we have been your readers.

We are, in fact, not “far-right” evangelicals, as characterized by the author.

Rather, we are Bible-believing Christians and patriotic Americans who are simply grateful that our president has sought our advice as his administration has advanced policies that protect the unborn, promote religious freedom, reform our criminal justice system, contribute to strong working families through paid family leave, protect the freedom of conscience, prioritize parental rights and ensure that our foreign policy aligns with our values while making our world safer, including through our support of the state of Israel. We are not theocrats, and we recognize that our imperfect political system is a reflection of the fallen world within which we live, reliant upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is freely given to sinner and saint, alike.

We are proud to be numbered among those in history who, like Jesus, have been pretentiously accused of having too much grace for tax collectors and sinners, and we take deeply our personal responsibility to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s—our public service.

The editorial you published, without any meaningful and immediate regard for dissenting points of view, not only supported the entirely partisan, legally dubious and politically motivated impeachment but went even further, calling for Donald Trump not to be elected again in 2020 when he certainly survives impeachment.

As one of our signatories said to the press, “I hope Christianity Today will now tell us who they will support for president among the 2020 Democrat field?”

Your editorial offensively questioned the spiritual integrity and Christian witness of tens of millions of believers who take seriously their civic and moral obligations.

It not only targeted our president; it also targeted those of us who support him and have supported you.

Sincerely,

Lourdes Aguirre
President
United Marketing Solutions

Stephen Alessi
Pastor
Metro Life Church

Chuck Allen
Pastor
Sugar Hill Church

Rev. Rick Amato
Dream Believe Institute
Wellington, FL

Doug Anderson
Pastor
Rose Heights Church

Michele Bachmann
U.S. House of Representatives
Former Member, Minnesota

Marty Baker
Pastor
Steven’s Creek Church

Rev. Wesley Baldwin, Ph.D.
Lead Pastor
Aloma Church

Luke Barnett
Pastor
Dream City Church

Tommy Barnett
Pastor
Dream City Church

Gary Bauer
President
American Values

Henry Becarra
Pastor
City Church International

Steve Berger
Pastor
Grace Chapel—Nashville

Gary W. Blackard
President & CEO
Adult & Teen Challenge USA

Paul Blair
Fairview Baptist Church
Liberty Pastors Network

John Blanchard
Pastor
Rock Church International

Bill Bolin
Pastor
Floodgate Church

Ryan Bomberger
Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer
The Radiance Foundation

Mario Bramnick
President
Latino Coalition for Israel

Josh Brown
Founder and CEO
SoulHeart.co

Dr. Daniel Caamaño
President
Alma Vision Radio and Television

Paula White Cain
Paula White Ministries
Pastor, City of Destiny

Chris Cambas
CEO Relationscape
Founder / Chairman of Board Full Circle

Anita Christopher
President
West Michigan Prayer Center

Barry Clardy
Pastor
Princeton Pike Church of God

Dr. Tim Clinton
President
American Association of Christian Counselors

Bishop Kelvin L. Cobaris
Cobaris Ministries International

Paul Cole
Christian Men’s Network

Cynthia Collins
Founder, SpeakHope.net
Global Adviser, OperationOutcry

Jack Countryman
Vice President and Publisher Emeritus
Ministry Development
Harper Collins

David Aaron Crabb
Pastor
Restoring Hope Church

Brad Dacus
Pacific Justice Institute

Dr. Jimmy L. De La O, D.Div.
Founding Senior Pastor
Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Pacto

Apostle Alberto Delgado
Senior Pastor
Alpha and Omega

Rachel Dennis
Awaken The Dawn

Dr. James Dobson
President
James Dobson Family Institute

Dave Donaldson
Co-founder and Chairman
CityServe International

Greg Dumas
Pastor
The Crossing Church

Dr. Kirk Elliott
Founder
Veribella Foundation

Jenna Ellis
Constitutional Law Attorney

Al Elmore
Senior Pastor
Lima Baptist Temple

Jerry Falwell Jr.
President
Liberty University

Joey Fine
Pastor
Seasons Church

Dan Fisher
Pastor
Fairview Baptist Church

Jentezen Franklin
Senior Pastor
Free Chapel

Jim Franklin
Pastor
Cornerstone Church

Dr. Gary D. Frazier,
President
Discovery Missions International

Dr. Day Gardner
President
National Black Pro-Life Union

Brian Gallardo
Pastor
LifeGate Church

Jim Garlow
Founder
Well Versed

Rosemary Schindler Garlow
Schindlers, Arkansas

Dr. Nick Garza
NHCLC Board member
Sacramento, California

James Gildwell
Pastor
Amazing Grace Baptist Fellowship

Bishop Anne Gimenez
Rock Ministerial Fellowship

Jack Graham
Senior Pastor
Prestonwood Baptist Church

Brad Graves
Senior Pastor
Ada First Baptist Church

Danny Gokey
Contemporary Christian Artist

Paul Marc Goulet
Pastor
International Church of Las Vegas

Rev. Mark Gurley
Director
Michigan Oak Initiative

Ken Gurley
Vice President/Director of Operations
National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.

Jon & Jolene Hamill
President
Lamplighter Ministries

Dr. Frank Harber, Ph.D., J.D.
President
The Institute for Christian Defense

Len Harper
Pastor
Overflow Church

Mike Hayes
Founder/President
Center for National Renewal

Skip Heitzig
Pastor
Calvary Church of Albuquerque

Randall Hekman
Director
Grand Awakening Prayer

Jim Henry
Pastor Emeritus FBC Orlando.
Former SBC President.

Robert Herber
Pastor
All Peoples Church

Jack Hibbs
Pastor
Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

Rev. Tim Hill
General Overseer
Church of God

Mark Hoover
Lead Pastor
NewSpring Church

Walter B. Hoye II
CEO
Issues4Life Foundation

Lori Hoye
CFO
Issues4Life Foundation

Mike Huckabee
Honorary National Chairman
My Faith Votes

Shane Idleman
Pastor
Westside Christian Fellowship

Bishop Harry Jackson
Pastor
Hope Christian Church

Brian Jacobs
Pastor
Metroplex Family Church

Dr. Mike and Cindy Jacobs
Founders
Generals International

Phillip Jauregui
Judicial Action Group.

Dr. Thomas Jamieson
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, FL

Obed Jauregui
Pastor, Betania Church
President of MBCS

Robert Jeffress
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Dallas

Brian and Jenn Johnson
Bethel Music

Travis Johnson
Church of God Executive Council Member

Dr. Brad Jurkovich
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church Bossier City, LA

Troy Keaton
Pastor
EastLake Community Church

Becky Keenan
Pastor
President of One With Israel

Alveda King
Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life
Director, Civil Rights for the Unborn

Gary Kirouac
Tent America

David Kubal
CEO/President
Intercessors for America

Kelly Monroe Kullberg
Veritas Forum

Hank & Brenda Kunneman
Pastors
Lord of Hosts Church and One Voice Ministries

Greg Laurie
Senior Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship

Jerry Lawson
Pastor
Daystar Church

Todd Lamphere
Pastor of Global Outreach
City of Destiny

Chris Leader
Ignite Outreach

Greg Locke
Pastor
Global Vision Bible Church

Frank López
Senior Pastor, Doral Church
VP of Hispanic Association of Pastors

Cissie Graham Lynch
Samaritans Purse

Apostle Guillermo Maldonado
President and Senior Pastor
King JESUS Ministries

Tim Martin
Pastor
New Life Christian

Victor Marx
President and CEO,
All Things Possible Ministries

Gregg Matte
Senior Pastor
Houston’s First Baptist Church

Bishop Joseph Mattera
Christ Covenant Coalition

Pastor Jurgen Matthesius
C3 Church San Diego
Overseer C3 Churches in the Americas

Bob McEwen
U.S. House of Representatives
Former Member, Ohio

Dr. David H. McKinley
Pastor-Teacher
Warren Baptist Church
Augusta, Georgia

Dr. Yolanda McCune
Director
HAPN Kingdom Culture

Rev. Dusty McLemore
Senior Pastor
Lindsay Lane Baptist Church

Barry Meguiar
President Meguiar’s, Inc.,
Founder, Revival Outside the Walls

Eric Metaxas
Author, Host
Eric Metaxas Radio Show

Jonathan Miller
Pastor
New Beginnings Church

Morgan Mitchell
Director
Grand Traverse House of Prayer

Pastor Sergio De La Mora
Cornerstone Church

Kent Morgan
President
Randall Bearings, Inc.

Robert Morris
Senior Pastor
Gateway Church

Pastor Tom Mullins
Senior Pastor
Christ Fellowship Florida

Penny Nance
CEO and President
Concerned Women for America

Rev. Dean Nelson
Chairman of the Board
Frederick Douglass Foundation

Dr. Malachi O’Brien
Former 2nd Vice President
Southern Baptist Convention

Tim Oldfield
Pastor
Potters House Church

Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder and Lead Pastor
World Harvest Church,
Founder and Chancellor Valor Christian College

Ramiro A. Peña
Pastor
Christ the King Church

Tony Perkins
President
Family Research Council

Paul Pickern
Executive Director
All Pro Pastors

Chonda Pierce
Comedian

Dr. Everett Piper
Bestselling Author
Former University President

Dr. Anthony Ponceti,
Director, South and Central America
All Pro Pastors International

Rob Price
Associate Professor, Communication Arts
Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Ralph Reed
President
Faith and Freedom Coalition

Steve Riggle
Pastor
Grace Church International

Rev. Dennis Rivera
Assemblies of God
NHCLC executive committee

Ernie Rivera
President
Las Americas Evangelistic Association

Marilyn Rivera
Pastor
President of Hispanic Association of Pastors

Juan Rivera
Executive Director
Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition

Jeremy Roberts
Pastor
Thomasville Road Baptist Church

Wayne Roberts
Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church

Gerald Rohn
Pastor
First Renaissance Community Church of Sterling Michigan

Dudley Rutherford
Pastor
Shepherd of the Hills Church

Myles and Delana Rutherford
Pastors
Worship with Wonders Church

Dexter Sanders
Founder/President
Back 2 God Movement

Rick Scarborough
Recover America Now

Tom Schlueter
Texas Apostolic Prayer Network

Darrell & Belinda Scott
Pastor
New Spirit Revival Center

Tony Scott
Pastor
theChurch, Maumee

Mark Seppo
Pastor
Vassar Victory Center

Scott Sheppard
Pastor
Cornerstone Church

Danny Silk
President
Loving on Purpose

David Smith
Pastor
Oak Park Church

Ron Smith
Pastor
FBC At The Villages

Ted Squires
CEO Squires Global

Dr. Jay Strack
Founder
Student Leadership University

Mat Staver
Liberty Counsel

Darryl & Tracy Strawberry
Strawberry Ministries

Pastor Tom Sterbens
New Hope Church

Tony Stewart
Pastor
Citylife Church

Rev. Tony Suarez
Executive Vice President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

Lanny Swaim
Worship Artist

Michael Tait
Christian Music Artist

Zach Terry
Senior Pastor
Fernandina Beach, First Baptist Church

Claude Thomas
Former Executive Director
GP3

David Tipton
Vice President
National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.

LaNell Babbage-Torres
National Diversity Coalition

CT Townsend
Pastor
Victory Baptist Church

Pasqual Urrabazo
Pastor
International Church of Las Vegas

Andre Van Mol, MD
Elder
Bethel Church

Kris Vallotton
Senior Associate Leader
Bethel Church

Dr. Gilberto Velez
Founder and Senior Pastor for Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia
Chairman of the Board for National Hispanic leadership Conference.

Anthony Verdugo,
Founder and Executive Director
Christian Family Coalition (CFC)

Wendell Vinson
Pastor
Canyon Hills Church

Judy Wade
Uniting Our Hearts

Kevin Wallace
Pastor
Redemption to the Nations Church

Lance Wallnau
Lance Learning Group

Rick Warzywak
Director
Michigan Capitol House of Prayer

Wendy Waterson
Pastor
Sanctuary Ministries

Edward Watts
Pastor
Gateway Hope Center

Tom Winters
Winters & King Associates

George Wood
Chairman
World Assemblies of God Fellowship