Faith, Politics & Thankful Thursday

Mm. Welcome to Truth Talk Live. All right, let's talk the truth news. I can't hide it. A daily program powered by the Truth Network.

This is kind of a great thing, and I'll tell you what. Where pop culture, current events, and theology all come together. Speak your mind. And now, here's today's Truth Talk Live host. Welcome in.

Joey Hudson sitting in today is glad to be back with you. Lots going on. We have a busy, busy show for you. And it is Thursday. And what that means for me is it is thankful Thursday.

I love to talk about Thankful Thursday. On my local show, heard in the upstate of South Carolina, and my podcast, Just the Truth. Hope you'll join me there. Just search for Joey Hudson, Just the Truth, wherever you listen to podcasts. But hey, we got a lot to cover today, and of course, your.

Joining the conversation is important as well. You can do so real easily just by calling 866-34-TRUTH, 866-348-78. 84. You know, it's always a pleasure to sit in and spend some time with. Uh you guys as as part of the Truth Talk Network part of the family.

For those of you who have listened to me before, you know that I do host my podcast and a daily radio show in the upstate of South Carolina, both of which are news of the day, politics, cultural type issues. With a reference to the role that my faith plays in all of this, which is a very important. role recently. the IRS ruled that pastors can now talk about politics. They can endorse candidates from the pulpit.

Without the fear of the church losing their tax exempt status. This has led to a lot of discussion about the role that the church plays. Plays in the political process. And let's be honest, the left has always expected. their religious leaders to be involved.

And they've always been outspoken. And they seem to never fear What consequences, whether it be tax consequences or whatever, that that might have.

Now Conservative Christian pastors Don't have the excuse to not talk about Christianity and how Christians should be involved in leadership roles. in their communities at the local state. and national levels. The big question is. Should Christians be involved in politics?

A little later in the show today, I'll be joined by my friend Chad Connolly. Who is the founder of Faith Wins? His organization actively recruits pastors to be political leaders in addition to spiritual leaders. We'll have Chad join us in just a few minutes. But back to my question: Should Christians engage in politics.

What role does the church play? I am a student of politics. I love politics. It affects our lives in so many ways. Our communities have become increasingly polarized.

In the last uh decade or so. You're either red or blue. not just at the ballot box, but where we choose to live. Who we follow online, how we consume information. You have algorithms that shape the news feeds, the news that we see, whether it be on social media or websites.

Opinions are reinforced In echo chambers. As a result, we're often surrounded by one-sided narratives and sometimes just outright misinformation. Ju just uh lies that are made up. to try to sway our beliefs.

So with politics seeping into nearly every corner, of our daily life, how should Christians navigate the landscape? Should we stay above the fray? Get involved in shaping our political environment, influencing who leads us. What role does the church play in that? What role does our pastors play?

play in that. For some believers, their calling may lead lead them away from politics entirely. It's just a no-man's land, an area that. Christians shouldn't be involved in. But for most I believe the answer is yes.

We should engage. The real question is how do we do it? If you look at scripture. It's filled with people called into political leadership. Moses led a nation.

Joseph Lead. Daniel governed much of Babylon. Judges like Deborah and kings like David and Solomon all operated in civil authority. But we also see the pitfalls that are involved. David's son, for example, led a rebellion.

The kingdom split after Solomon's death. Leadership can be used for God's purpose. or it can be used to sow division. And it seems that in these modern times The latter is what happens quite often. The left and those outside of the Christian world like to use it to sow division.

They like to divide and conquer. And I would say that Our country is probably more divided than ever. Then You look at Jesus. He made clear his kingdom was not of this world. When asked about paying taxes, he famously replied, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.

Jesus rejected calls to become a political revolutionary, even though many around him wanted him to be just that.

So if Jesus distanced himself from political power. Why should we engage? Good question, right? Unlike ancient Rome, where Caesar's rule was absolute, the United States is governed. by a constitutional system That depends on participation.

Our laws are shaped not by religious authorities and monarchs, but by the votes of citizens, you and me. and the actions of elected leaders. that we put into leadership positions by voting. That means that every Christian in this country. Is not only a member of the kingdom of God.

They're also a participant in a constitutional republic. Government affects, again, nearly every aspect of our life. If you're listening today. At some point during today, you probably have had some type of interaction with an entity of government. It affects our education.

It affects justice. National security? Health care? Uh Even how we worship and gather. That alone is reason for us to care.

If nothing else, Christians should be faithful, responsible citizens, and that starts with voting. We should take our right to vote very seriously. We should pray about it. We should really put some thought into it. As to who we want to be our leaders.

But we have to show up. And we have to vote.

Some may feel a deeper calling. And run for office, serve in public administration, support causes that reflect biblical values. And we need to encourage that. Not shy away from it. God clearly raises people up in specific times for specific purposes, and I believe that wholeheartedly.

The Bible is full of examples, and history is too. Christians played vital roles in movements like the abolition of slavery, civil rights era. God can and he does use government service For his glory. And that's what we have to remember. That's what we have to keep in mind, and that's why we have to encourage.

Christian people. to be involved in our government. And as I mentioned, our guests coming up in just a few minutes. Chad Connolly does just that. His organization, Faith Wynn, plays a big role.

in getting pastors involved. Because faith does matter in politics. Faith does matter in how our government is run. how our country is run.

Now You see this quite often. Or sometimes I should say, maybe I shouldn't say quite often, but you see.

Some candidates sometimes wanting to take advantage of that faith element. And you scratch your head thinking: is he really sincere? Is she really sincere? They They talk about God and how it benefits them politically, and how they depend on God to. to lead them and guide them.

And that should be how it is. We should all. Depend on God to lead us in the right direction and what role we will play in our communities. But remember, just because someone is a believer doesn't automatically make them a competent leader. And sometimes, without visible faith, uh They may be able to lead, they may not be able to.

That's why we need prayer, wisdom, humility when evaluating leaders. Coming up, Chad Connolly joins me with Faith Wins. We're going to talk about Christians' role and pastor's role specifically in the political process. Truth talks You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. As we continue today's show, 866-34 Truth, 866-348-7884.

is how you join the conversation, Joey Hudson, in for Stu today, glad to have you. On this Thursday, thankful Thursday, you can email me, joey at joeyhudson.com, what you're thankful for today, or give me a call and we'll put you in queue and talk as time permits. Chad Connolly. is the founder and CEO of a wonderful organization that's doing God's work across The nation faith wins. Faith Wins is dedicated to educating, activating, mobilizing faith leaders across the nation to give them the tools they need to use their influence to promote conservative Christian values in the political process.

I'm happy to say Chad Jordan's just on the Truth Talk Live guest line today. Welcome, Chad. How are you? Hey, Joey, how are you doing, brother? I am wonderful.

Glad to have you, my friend, and I appreciate you spending a few minutes of your day with us this afternoon. Let's start, Chad. I'm honored. I'm thankful for my wife who lets me drag her around the world.

Now, that's something to be thankful for, for sure, on this thankful Thursday. Yeah, that's for sure. Let's start, Chad, with just give us a quick introduction of Faith Wins, what it's all about. Give us your elevator speech, if you will. Yeah, sure.

You know, I left chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and went to work for Priebus, and then, of course, For the Trump campaign in 2016 through the RNC and ran GOP Faith. And of course, you know, I had been widowed and remarried. Dane and I were putting a new family together.

So when the opportunity came to work in the first administration, I didn't need to be in DC. I had a family to build. We had four little kids who'd lost parents, of course. You know the story. And so I started Faith Wins in 2017.

So we're starting our ninth year. And I just saw the impact, Joey, and as a Christian first. and a conservative and you know been a Republican for my whole life. I just saw that many in the public arena, especially from the consulting class, Class seems to minimize and almost eliminate the real impact of the faith vote. And I've been all over the country when I was with running GOP Faith.

I went to 43 states and spoke to about 80,000 pastors with that simple message. It's not about a party or a person, it's about policies and principles.

Now, if you're paying attention, we know which way conservative biblical Christians are going to vote.

So when I started Fake Twins, it was just about Let's don't just have our votes. Felt, let's have our voices heard.

So that's the elevator speech of just trying to impact the public arena with the Christian faith and our belief. Yeah. Chad, just last week you had your 2025 Faith Wins Pastor Summit in the nation's capital. Who typically attends your pastor summit?

Well, you know, I have donors that support that, and I handpick the pastors. Who have emerged in the key states, Joey.

So I guess we had about 60-something pastors, we had a bunch of wives. And we had almost 100 people total because Speakers wanted to hang out with us, but we had about 100 people in the U.S. Capitol singing How Great Thou Art and God Bless America and Amazing Grace. Man, it was awesome. But they were from, I had 20 different states represented, plus D.C.

So I guess you could say 21 if you count it that way, and from 12 different denominations. We've worked really hard to tell pastors. Look, we don't have to agree on what time we meet or which hymnal we sing out of or any of that stuff. But if we don't link arms about religious liberty and Israel and life and marriage, just common sense biblical approaches, we're losing the country and it's our fault. And you've seen me speak.

That George Barna book in the early 2000s really impacted me with something like 80 million people sitting in churches and only 32 million voting in a high watermark. It's our fault. If we're not happy about policies or things that impact us, we need to go impact it. And I've made it my life's work, Joey. Yeah, and what a great job you're doing.

I mean, you're touching a lot of lives, who in turn, those pastors touch a lot of lives as well. You know, you talk often about helping. the church find its voice, helping these pastors Find their voice. What do you mean by that? You know, it's a great question.

I don't know if you saw my article. It's gotten some traction in some of the conservative press. I wrote about the Johnson amendment decision by the IRS to settle and to say we're not going to pursue this. It seems like there are too many people in the pastorate who've taken the easy path. You know, I was just in Israel.

We took 20 pastors and their wives to Israel in April, and we stood on the Mount of Beatitudes, and I had a pastor from actually from Las Vegas preach on Matthew 5, those verses 13 to 16. Most believers are going to be familiar where Jesus says, We got to be salt. And he says, if the salt has lost its savor, It's good for nothing to be thrown in the street and trodden before the feet of men. I don't know about you, Joey, but as a believer, that sounds like the worst day to have the father say you were good for nothing. And you think about how many people waste their time with just Wrong effort or distraction, and we got to get focused on what really makes an impact.

And so, I decided a long time ago when I started this: we're going to show pastors how they can use their voice, not because it's politics, but because it's spiritual. And I tell them, I said, Yeah, life and marriage and Israel have been politicized, but it doesn't remove our responsibility to tell the truth.

So, I'm just trying to show them how they've got more leverage and more impact than they can ever imagine. And the ripple effect is massive if we put it into action. Yeah. Well, with me today, Chad Connolly, founder and CEO of Faith Wins. You can find out additional information about this wonderful organization, FaithWins.org.

Faithwins.org. You mentioned your trip to Israel. Is that just not an amazing experience? Oh, man. You know, we've partnered with the Joshua Fund.

My friend Joel Rosenberg, I'm on his All-Israel News board. And if people want to know about the Middle East, they ought to be reading All-Irael News. But of course, Joel's a prolific Christian author. We've been friends for a long time, but we're doing at least one trip a year. And I said, Look, Joel, if I can handpick the pastors from key states that I need help in, he said, Chad, I don't know any pastors.

You're the one that goes in their churches. Yeah, you pick, and we find donors. Support the trip. And, Bo, it is wonderful. Everybody ought to go to walk where Jesus walked.

And, you know, now that the city of David's been almost fully uncovered, they're literally telling you this is the first place we can ever say we know Jesus was here. I posted a picture of me and Dana in the city of David, and I'm barefooted. Everybody's like, why are you barefooted? Because that is where the Savior walked. And my feet were pretty dirty.

Dana didn't want to join me in the barefooted escapade, but it's just so moving. You know, you just weep your way through it. But it's a powerful place. We're looking forward to going back. We were the largest evangelical group to go since the war.

So they turned out the red carpet. We met with President Herzog. We spent 45 minutes with him in what was their White House. And he was just fantastic. And it was a special trip.

But I've been five times now, and I can't wait to go back. Yeah, you know, and I have been five times as well. We had planned my sixth trip in October. Sadly, that has been. Canceled for now just because of the situation over there.

But we'll get it back on the calendar, hopefully. But I saw some of the photos that you posted at the City of David, and I was able to go there my first time about seven years ago, and I met Zeb Ordstein, and Zeb took us through there. And I saw the photo of you standing on that stone that they are pretty certain Jesus stood on as he preached to people coming through there. And I tell you, that is just a special experience, knowing that you're standing right where Jesus stood. Yeah, and you know, Zeb's become a good friend.

We were texting yesterday. I was checking on he and his family with the ongoing war, and he's just become a buddy. And I send every pastor who takes a trip, I connect him with Zeb. And if you did Zev's tour, you did the best tour in Israel. And, you know, he's Jewish.

He's a New Jersey boy who moved over there. But, you know, he's just become a fast friend. And him unveiling that for people is beyond words to me, Joey. To say this is where the Savior walked. The disciples would have walked here.

And let's think about it. That city of David, Pilgrimage Road, that will be the most traversed. Piece of real estate on the planet when it opens up for the public. Yep, yep, exactly. I mean, it is just special.

And, you know, I'm trying to get Zeb to come over and visit us here in the Carolinas. Maybe you can help me out with that. Hey, Chad kindly with me today. Chad, can you hang around with us for another segment here? Absolutely, you know it.

All right, we'll be back in just a moment. Chad Connolly, my guest today, Joey Hudson, in for Stew. Truth Talk Live You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Continuing this thankful Thursday edition of Truth Talk Live, I'm Joey Hudson in for Stu today. Glad to have you join me.

You can email me directly, joeyjoehudson.com. Your calls are welcome. 866-34-TRUTH, 866-348-7884. My friend Chad Connolly, founder and CEO. Of Faith Wins is with us today.

Chad, let's talk about, you know, there was a recent IRS ruling that finally agrees that pastors who endorse Political candidates from the pulpit should not risk losing their tax-exempt status. I mean, this is a huge deal, right? Yeah, that's a huge deal, Joey, and I'm glad you picked up on it. You know, it's what we've contended forever. is pastors don't lose their First Amendment rights behind the pulpit.

Always said you don't have diminished rights. I believe you've got expanded rights because you're a man of the cloth. You're one of the people who are talking to God. You've got God's word. And so all this ruling does is agree with what we've said for years.

And you know, we've told people it's not that you as the church need to ever say you must vote for. But it ought to be that they should not be scared. of talking about the issues. And who they relate to as a candidate. And I think what's happened with this Johnson amendment, it's acted as a suppression.

And a lot of people, let's face it, and even the more liberal denominations have used it as a A hedge. to avoid talking about the issues they ought to be talking about. Yeah, yeah. Chad, do you believe that because of this in the past, that this has been t typically one of the biggest resistance of pastors who felt that they just couldn't talk about their political beliefs? You know, I think that it's been used as an excuse.

I've heard it a lot, Joey. I've been in 49 states doing these meetings now with pastors in the last nine years, or really 10 or 11 years, even, and it's been used as a crutch, no question about it. But you know, most of the pastors I talk to aren't wallflowers anyway. It didn't hold down most of them, but the ones they talked to on the periphery, they have absolutely used it as a crutch. An excuse saying, Hey, I can't because it's illegal.

They've been misinformed, and sometimes it's by their denomination. Let's face it, sometimes it's somebody in the church who gives a lot of money, but a lot of times it's just their preference. It gives them an out. To avoid talking about things that are uncomfortable. I had a pastor one time that said, Chad, we just don't do politics.

And I said, well, Pastor, can you tell me where in your Bible politics begins and your spiritual life ends? And of course that kind of stopped him in his tracks. And I said, Yeah. There's not a book of the Bible where God's people aren't talking to, with, from, or about political leaders. throughout the bible there are examples to show and so i think it's just been used against This By the left, honestly, to hold people down.

Yeah. Chad Connolly is my guest today, and Chad's been involved in Republican Party politics for years. He served as chairman of the party of my home state of South Carolina, instrumental in hosting two nationally televised presidential debates. He led the effort to hold the largest presidential preference primary at the time. That background, obviously, Chad, prepared you for your work with pastors today.

Let me ask you: back when you first thought of the idea of faith wins, and you kind of became involved in the faith movement like that, has it been more or less of a challenge to get pastors involved? I think it's um it's less I think as you go out there and talk to them, and I connect pastors, right? We do meetings with a bunch of pastors. Getting better because they're realizing what they really ought to be doing. And when they see a buddy pastor doing it, Joey, I think it makes them go, okay, I should be doing this.

I was actually sitting. the meeting a very high level meeting through a very high level office watching consultants and how they treated Christians in particular, but pastors too. When I decided I'm going to do this for myself in a C3 capacity, and we're going to help the good candidates that believe in the right stuff, but we're going to do it in a non-threatening. Spiritual manner that has a political impact, not in a political manner that doesn't deliver anything. And it was in a meeting room.

Listening to consultants talk about people like me and you and the things we care about, that made me want to start Fake Twins. Yeah. You know, there's been a lot of talk, especially among the Democrats, of just how Donald Trump won as he did in November. What role do you believe that the faith-based vote played in the election of President Trump last November? President Trump knows this.

It's the decisive part. It is the difference maker. Faith vote came out bigger than ever for President Trump. I think 82% of self-identified evangelicals. Voted for President Trump.

I think things like Israel, pro-life, and look, this guy. Without, by all accounts, is the most pro-life president in American history. Between the judges that overturned the Dobbs, with the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, to now defunding Planned Parenthood in one big beautiful bill, moving the embassy. You've probably been to the new embassy in Jerusalem.

It's stuff like that that people have promised us as believers, Democrats and Republicans, our entire lives. And you know, faith voters look at that stuff, and there's no question though. The pocketbook issues matter to people in churches too.

Now, consultants won't believe that most of the time, but people in churches care about that stuff, but the core issues. That President Trump has addressed like no other president. Those were the difference makers. Talking about the embassy, yes, and we're talking about our mutual friend Zeb Ornstein. He got us, and it was Mike Gallagher and myself several years ago.

They were just ready to open the embassy. The ambassador had not even been in there himself yet, and Zeb got Mike Gallagher and me a tour. They were literally still painting and hanging the art on the wall when we were able to go into the ambassador's office. Wow, that's awesome.

Well, I'm going to tell Zeb we're buddies and tell him we're going to do a trip over there sometime. And, you know, he's just such a great guy. And of course, I know you know Governor Huckabee as well. I've been texting with him.

Next time I take a trip, we're going to do something with him at the embassy. We've been talking about doing that.

So we've got some friends in some great places. And it's those kind of appointments too, as you know, personnel as policy. I think that speaks volumes to people of faith who look at the things that President Trump said. He said it and he's delivered on it. Promises made, promises kept, as he says.

And I believe that's resonating throughout society. I got to tell you, Joey, when we landed in Israel in April, we got to Israel and there were massive banners unfurled from the big buildings downtown. Thank you, President Donald Trump. Dana and I were There's a collective sigh of relief because this guy's been elected. Yeah, that is for sure.

Chad Connolly with us today, CEO, founder of Faith Wins. You can find out additional information at Faith Wins.

So, Chad, as we head into the fall, we're starting to think about the 2026 midterms. How do you feel about 2026? You know, everything's going our way, Joey, but let's face it, we haven't done very well when President Trump's not on the ballot.

So I've been telling donors and activists: we've got to do the blocking and tackling. We can't be fighting each other, we can't be arguing about little stuff. We've got to do the basics to go in. I'm already, I was in Arizona earlier this week. I was in Georgia today.

I'm going to every other key state. We've got to go do the basics. Put people in place now and not take it for granted, brother. Yeah, and I would imagine that one component of that is voter registration. Is that right?

You better believe it. We're already working hard picking out the key churches and key districts. And we're just telling them: look, I don't need you to charge up the beach at D-Day, but can you register 100% of your church and teach and remote biblical values? We are going to press in on this Johnson amendment being obliterated. And we're going to use that circular I did, the letter to the editor, the opinion thing that went everywhere.

And we're going to circulate that to churches all over America in every state we're working in. We've already identified a key leader in every state that's going to have a Senate race or is a battleground state and are key congressional. And we're going to press in on that and make sure we get Christians regular to vote, brother. We're actually identifying chaseable ballots. in most of those states already.

Yeah. So the million-dollar question here, Chad, is: Do you believe pastors? Are you really going to take advantage of this recent IRS ruling, which has basically said, yes, you can talk about your political beliefs, you can talk about it from the pulpit. You know, my message won't change, Joey. I'm going to keep saying what we've been saying, but I am certainly going to press harder with.

States. To tell them to use this so that nobody hides behind an old excuse that's been taken out.

So, yeah, I think that, listen, I'm encouraged. We were just with some folks who've supported us in Georgia and talking about this very issue in Athens a little bit ago before we headed. We're on the road to Nashville. By the way, if I lose you, I'm in the mountains a little bit. But I think that it is shifting.

Engaged or going to utilize it, but I'm encouraged. I see a big change happen in our nation, and it's long overdue. Yep. Chad, one final question for you, and let's talk about the church's involvement. I mean, what would you say is the church's biggest challenge when it comes to that balance between teaching the Bible and being involved in the political process?

You know, I think I'll Quite frankly, some of them are like a couple teaching the Bible. It has nothing to do with policy. Yeah, I think we're losing. I think we're losing Chad there. Um I'm sorry, brother.

It's all right. Hey, you be safe up in the mountains there. Have a safe trip. We'll catch up and continue this conversation another time in the future, Chad. God bless you, Joey.

I appreciate what you do, my friend. Chad Connolly, he is chairman. CEO and founder of Faith Winds. And look, if you're not familiar with the work that Faith Winds is doing, you need to check them out. Again, go to faithwins.org, faithwins.org.

If you're a pastor, if you're a member of a church somewhere and you want your church to be involved and you think that you should play a role, because again, 2026 is. Is going to be as important as 2024 was. Probably more important in that we have to maintain a majority in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.

We need to build on those majorities so that we can. complete and continue The agenda. That that people elected Donald Trump to do last November. And a big component of that. is is the faith component.

And as I was talking about earlier in the show today. is, you know, as Christians, it is our duty, I believe, to be involved. To not sit back, not to sit back and think, well, you know, as a Christian, I shouldn't be talking about my political beliefs. Yes, you should. Because I can promise you That the left, the non-believers, they're going to be talking about their beliefs.

They have not been. Uh they have not been silent. They're not shy about trying to push their beliefs and to convince people in modern culture that their way is the right way.

So we have to be just as aggressive. We have to be just as outspoken. And talk about Jesus Christ. And the word of the Lord. And to put Christian men and women and positions of leadership.

Because if we don't. We may not have that chance down the road. I believe that Donald Trump's election in November of 2024 was at a pivotal time. We can turn things around. We can turn some of the evil around.

That we are witnessing in our world, but we have to have the right men and women in leadership positions to do that. And next year is the time to do that. I'm Joey Hudson in for stew. on this thankful Thursday edition of Tooth Talk Live. Truth talks.

You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Continuing this thankful Thursday. On True Talk Live, I'm Joey Hudson and for Stu. 866-34-TRUTH, 866-348-7884, and you can. Give me a quick call, join the conversation today.

What are you thankful for? I I love Two Talk about things that we're thankful for on Thankful Thursday. It's something I do on my show in the upstate of South Carolina and on my podcast. Podcast, Just the Truth. You can listen, and I encourage you to, let me invite you to join me on my podcast: is search for Joey Hudson, Just the Truth, wherever you listen to podcasts.

We're talking today about Christians being engaged in politics. I My my show in upstate South Carolina is pretty much Uh talking uh about news topics of the day. Uh modern culture. And I often talk about my faith as well. and the role that faith should play.

in politics. We had Chad Connolly on with us a few minutes ago with Faith Wins, and that is Chad's calling: to get pastors involved. In the political process. And if you missed that part, let me encourage you to go back and listen to Truth Talk Live. You can listen on the Truth Talk network.

Uh app. And it's worth listening to hear about what. Chad and and Faith Winds is doing. in our churches and to get pastors involved. And now more than ever with the recent IRS ruling, indicating that churches Uh Will not lose their tax exempt status just because their pastor.

talks about politics from the pulpit. It even said that a pastor can endorse candidates. from the pulpit.

So today we're talking about just what role That faith And Christians should play in politics these days.

Some people would have you believe, oh, there is no place. The most misunderstood thing is the separation of church and state. It doesn't say that there's not a role for the church. in politics. What the separation of church and state means is that the government.

Can't tell you. What church you have to go to or shouldn't go to. Doesn't say that you can't be involved. And the IR again, one of the big things that was keeping pastors from getting involved was fear of losing their tax exempt status. That has been taken away now.

So, our communities with them becoming more and more polarized now. You know, you're identified either as being in a red state or a blue state. You're either a Democrat or a Republican. Conservative, liberal, or leftist. But we Have to understand, and we have to put Our faith.

In the place that it should be. And we need when we're recruiting candidates, we're looking at political candidates. Then You have to consider what faith They they are. Because we need Christian men and women leading our country. more than ever.

And when you're looking at these candidates, I mean, you ask yourself. You know, look at their history. Look at things that they've done. Roles that they played in the community, roles they played in the church. Do they walk in humility?

Do they stand for truth when maybe it's unpopular? Do they act with integrity when no one's watching?

Now, one of the arguments that I sometimes Get from people. is, well, you know, politics can become an idol.

Well, that's true. Uh there is a danger. of politics becoming uh an idol. But when we place too much hope in politicians or fear in their opponents, we forget where our ultimate trust should lie. No party, no policy, and no president will ever be the savior of the world.

That eternal life. comes from one. One source. And that's through Jesus Christ.

So be wary of those who demand loyalty beyond reason or elevate themselves to godlike status. That's not leadership, that's just trying to manipulate you. to be a part of something that they're part of. The Bible tells us that all authority is allowed by God, sometimes to bless, sometimes to discipline, sometimes for reasons that we don't even understand. God has used pagan kings.

He's used corrupt leaders before. And even outright enemies to fulfill his purposes. But that doesn't mean that we excuse the wrongdoing. It does mean that we remember. who's really in control.

And We We read the Bible. And we live our lives by the Word of God.

Now some argue Christians should stay away from politics to avoid corruption. But but look, corruption's everywhere. Sin isn't confined to one profession. There's temptation in business. There's temptation in entertainment, in law, in education, and even in ministry.

Sadly, think about some of the churches and some Some pastors who have gotten involved in things they should not have. that weren't that certainly were not godly. Wherever we work, we need accountability. Christians in leadership should seek godly counsel, people who speak truth. not not to flatter them, but just truth.

And this applies in all areas of life, not just politics. Our founders understood this well. That's why they created a system of checks and balances. To guard against the corrupting nature of power, because power can change people. Power can change.

men and women. Over the years, with my involvement in politics. I've seen people that I thought I really knew. And I were elected to a position? And I didn't recognize them anymore.

As believers We need to try to support them and try to keep them grounded. We should pursue safeguards. In our personal and professional lives, and help. Our elected leaders do likewise. God calls his people to seek The good in the places where we live at that time.

That means being salt and light in every arena: schools, businesses, neighborhoods, churches. and definitely government. Again, you know, look at the Bible, look at Daniel. a faithful servant in a foreign empire. He was a pretty effective leader.

He didn't compromise God's commands. and he earned respect even in a hostile environment. Christians today. serving government all over the world. often in very difficult settings.

Their presence matters. The work that they do matters. And again, My my buddy Chad Connolly and the work that Faith Winds is doing to recruit pastors. To be actively involved in politics in their areas is making a difference. And as you heard Chad say, It made a big difference in the 2024 elections.

And it can make an even bigger difference. in 2026 in these midterms.

So whether you're voting Or whether you decide to put your name on the ballot. You step up and you say, I'm going to run. Because you feel like God's leading you there. Does it matter? You you uh you just uh you do it with truth?

You do it with with the the love of God? You do it with excellence, and above all, again, do it with faith in the one whose kingdom is. never up for election. The one that you will get your eternal life through, and that's Jesus Christ. And uh and you will not go wrong.

With that, I mean, there's evil in this world. I I was reading a story just this afternoon. A grand jury in Maricopa County, Arizona. late last week indicted fifty one year old Adam Scheaff, for first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the death of a pastor They're locally. Schoenman was the pastor.

Two members of Showman's congregation found him dead inside his home in New River, Arizona. in late spring after they went to check on him, when he didn't show up at church. He'd been a pastor at the New River Ba uh Bible Chapel for nearly twenty five years. Friends and family told local media that the 76-year-old pastor was respected and loved by the community. Local police described His murder as brutal.

as his body had been positioned in a posture resembling crucifixion. Why did this guy do this? In addition to the murder charge, She is accused of breaking into the home of the pastor a few days earlier and stealing his vehicle. Detectives connected him to the pastor's murder through evidence at his home. And as they investigated it, They found that not only was this pastor's name on his list?

But he had 14 other pastors and priests on a lit hit list. that he was going to travel across the country Because why? They disagreed. with him about Jesus' divinity. He believes that Jesus is not the only Son of God.

And that Only God should be worshipped, according to an interview with KPHO in Phoenix.

So rather than politely disagreeing with this pastor. And evidently these 14 others who were on his list This guy Decided he was going to kill them. He was going to murder them because they disagreed. This question of Jesus' divinity. Chief said he did not have any personal connections to Pastor Showman.

Authorities, um Did not disclose the identities of the other targets that were on the list. But again, this is just the evil times that we're living in. That a pastor is murdered Because of his belief in Jesus Christ and believing. That Jesus Christ is the only Son of God. This guy had other beliefs.

So he murdered, brutally murdered this pastor. Great being with you on this thankful Thursday. You can email me what you're thankful for today. I'd love to get your emails: joey at joeyhudson.com. Appreciate you spending a few minutes of your day with me on Truth Talk Live.

I'm Joey Hudson. In for stew today. I'm not sure.