How Pentecostals Can Swing This Election

In this presidential election cycle, we have several candidates who are strong believers. This is not to say that we should only vote for believers. But in a day when wrong is right and right is wrong, we have an opportunity to elect a leader who shares our values.

This was the topic of a networking meeting I attended last week at a beautiful ranch owned by Farris and Joan Wilks near Cisco, Texas. It was a “who’s who” of conservative Christian leaders who came together to listen to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tell his strategy to turn America around. I was able to interview Sen. Cruz, which I will publish later this month.

The people who attended were not there to endorse Sen. Cruz, so we were asked to take no photos or list no names lest someone’s presence at the event be seen as an endorsement.

I was impressed, however, with how many leaders of charismatic ministries and churches I saw there. That’s because, traditionally, it’s the noncharismatic evangelicals who have been most involved in the political process.

Yet, they tend to split their votes among several conservative candidates in the primaries, which means a “moderate” (liberal) Republican might earn the nomination and often loses the White House. History shows when a genuine conservative such as Reagan or George W. Bush is nominated, they win. Those in the mushy middle like Bob Dole, John McCain or Mitt Romney lose. Apparently, many are as frustrated with the Republican Party as I am.

At the same time, the only liberals who win are those who obfuscate what they really believe and run toward the center yet govern on the left. To me, this is not about Democrat or Republican. I’ve been registered in both parties. It’s about conservative and liberal policies that either line up with our understanding of God’s Word or oppose it with public policy.

Many Pentecostals/charismatics are praying for revival but are also sitting out the political process. Why bother when nothing seems to change and, furthermore, the Second Coming is soon?

Christians must rise up and vote to place leaders in office who will make the needed changes or America will cease to be a shining light on a hill that has protected liberty and given us the freedom to propagate the gospel around the world. In the last presidential election, it is said that half of all evangelicals did not vote. Obama defeated Mitt Romney by only 3.5 million popular votes. In three swing states—Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania—a combined less than 500,000 votes could have altered the election result.

This is my point: Christians can make a difference. In fact, there are enough Pentecostals to make a difference. So, here’s what I’m proposing to the readers of Charisma and those who come to our websites:

Let’s wake up and see we must get to the polls!

Pastors and leaders, speak to your sphere of influence.

Turn out for the primaries and caucuses and encourage others to do the same. The first is Feb. 1 in Iowa. By mid-March, one of the candidates will have the momentum to go all the way.

Let’s coalesce around one candidate who shares our values and worldview and who can win.  

The Spirit-empowered community has the numbers and the power to shift this election.