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A Johns Hopkins University poll revealed that one-third of Americans could not name their state’s governor, and only thirty-nine percent could correctly name the three branches of government, a fundamental element of understanding public policy. Because of this lack of knowledge, elected officials tend to think Americans are uninformed, know very little about critical issues, and have opinions they can, and often do, ignore. Most Christian voters see the disconnect and realize they have the most to lose if they do not engage with their elected officials but do not know how to bridge the gap.
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One Oklahoma lady, Eleanor Wilkerson, observed the political disconnect and began a movement to educate Christians on public policy. Once Christians know what policies are being proposed, Eleanor creates opportunities for them to voice their opinions on policy to their elected officials. The result is that voters not only know their elected officials but also know them to the point that when they voice their opinion on Christian and family values issues, their voice is heard, and their opinion makes a difference.
In 2015, Eleanor began her mission by holding meetings in her home. She invited politicians to speak to her friends. The guest could talk about policy, but most importantly, that person could get to know the constituents one-on-one. Those who attended listened to elected officials speak about policy issues facing them in their official positions. Many asked for prayer for themselves and their families. According to Eleanor, a successful meeting is one where both sides know and understand current policy issues by the end of the meeting. When COVID-19 made meeting together impossible, Eleanor started hosting prayer calls, and hundreds of people called in to pray for the nation and particularly to pray for godly public policy.
To reach more women, in 2016, she launched the National Women’s Prayer and Voting Army website, uniting women across America to learn about public policy and then pray for enacting policies that support the Biblical and Constitutional principles our founding fathers established. She wants one million women to sign up on the website to learn and pray.
To Eleanor, It’s about being engaged and knowing the people representing you. People need to go to meetings where their representatives are speaking, go to their town hall meetings, ask them questions, know what made that person run for public office, and how we can work together to produce policy that will change this nation.
It is not unusual to hear Christians need to be more politically engaged. Many tend to hear and quickly dismiss the warning because of a lack of how-to knowledge. Still, occasionally, someone comes along with the message, and before we realize it, that person has simplified the process, and being engaged is what we want to do. Eleanor is that person.
Eleanor’s parents nurtured her vision to become politically involved early on. As a young child, Eleanor remembers their household changing their political affiliation after her mother ordered copies of the platforms of the Democrats and Republicans. Growing up, she watched her parents as they made the extra effort to get to know those who served in public office. Their efforts inspired Eleanor so much that after graduating from high school, she decided to attend a small women’s college in Washington, D.C., so that she could work in political campaigns at the national level.
In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell describes a connector as a rare person with a timely message that can infect others with the passion for engaging in something that never interested them before the connector came along. Gladwell gives an example of Paul Revere and William Daws. Both men set out on horseback on April 18, 1775, to warn the colonial militia that the British were coming to Lexington. Paul Revere knocked on doors, encouraging men to arm themselves, saddle their horses, and go to the smaller communities to warn the people of Boston that the British were coming. William Daws headed west of Lexington to do the same. As the British marched toward Lexington, a well-armed militia comprising mainly of Paul Revere’s friends defeated the well-equipped British army. The difference between the success of Paul Revere’s efforts and that of William Daws was the difference in the men. By Gladwell’s standards, Paul Revere was a connector. As a trusted businessman, he knew and interacted with the people in his community. The people knew and trusted Paul Revere. They didn’t know William Daws. When Paul Revere, the connector, came to his friends at night, he told them to prepare to fight. Without questioning his message, they prepared for battle.
Eleanor is a genuine connector. With her wide circle of friends and her reputation for being honest and forthcoming, she engages believers in prayer and politics. She generously shares her friends with others and delights in helping those friends engage in meaningful conversations that allow them to get to know their local, state, and national politicians and learn about public policy.
Reformation in America depends on people like Eleanor, who give their time freely to educate and encourage their friends to engage in the political arena.
Are you a connector like Eleanor or Paul Revere? Share this article to inspire, encourage, and “infect” others!
Nancy Huff is an educator with a mission to equip believers to pray strategically for the cultural mountain of education. She is the author of Taking the Mountain of Education: A Strategic Prayer Guide to Transform American Schools; Safety Zone: Scriptural Prayers to Revolutionize Your School; and Decrees for Your School. She leads groups for prayer at key educational locations across the U.S. Find out more by visiting TakingTheMountainOfEducation.com. Photo Credit: LinkedIn Sales Solution on Unsplash.