President-Elect Donald Trump continues to select people for Cabinet posts and many are noticing that key roles are being given to devout Christians from a variety of denominations. It is not that surprising considering the fact that over 80 percent of white evangelical Christians supported Trump on Nov. 8. People who are going to be Trump’s inner circle have spoken about bringing their faith in Christ to their work and how it influences their political worldview. Here are 5 people that will likely serve in top leadership positions in the federal government for the next four years who are professing Christians.
1. Mike Pence, Governor of Indiana, Vice President-Elect
Indiana governor and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence is very vocal about his faith and he introduces himself as "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order." "I began to meet young men and women who talked about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ," Pence said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network in 2010. "That had not been a part of my experience." This was the turning point in his beliefs and his passion about Christianity.
2. Betsy DeVos, Philanthropist
Betsy DeVos, Trump’s choice for the Education secretary, is a national leader in the school choice movement and her mission is a transformation of the American education system.
During her visit to Israel, DeVos learned about the geography of the land and she said that the Shephelah was the middle physical ground between the foothills where the Israelites lived and the coasts where the pagans lived. In this in-between space the clashing cultures met. "Our desire is to be in that Shephelah, and to confront the culture in which we all live today in ways that will continue to help advance God's Kingdom, but not to stay in our own faith territory," DeVos said.
3. Jeff Sessions, U.S. Senator from Alabama
The next attorney general may be U.S. Senator from Alabama Jeff Sessions, the nation's chief law enforcement officer, pending Senate confirmation. He is widely considered to be a leading immigration hawk and has spoken out strongly in favor of strict screening of immigrants who come from the Islamic world. He served as the Chairman of his church's Administrative Board and has been selected as a delegate to the annual Alabama Methodist Conference, according to his Senate bio.
4. Ben Carson, Neurosurgeon
In a keynote speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, Ben Carson, who may or may not join Trump’s team, criticized political correctness, President Obama's signature health care reform law, and called for a tax system based on the biblical concept of the tithe. Carson's story of rising from urban poverty in Michigan to becoming an acclaimed neurosurgeon has inspired many people on the left and the right. In a 2008 interview with PBS, Carson said that his faith deepened when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
5. Rick Perry, Former Governor of Texas
Former Governor of Texas Rick Perry is set to lead the Department of Energy. Raised in Baptist and Methodist churches growing up, Perry was re-baptized in 2014. As The Christian Post noted last year, in June of 2011, Perry helped to organize a day long fasting and prayer rally, called "The Response" in Houston, Texas in which he invited all U.S. governors to participate. "Right now, America is in crisis: we have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters," Perry said at the rally. “As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy," he said.
There are few more names who are devoted Christians, people of faith and, of course, soon to be in the Trump circle of advisors:
- Reince Priebus, Chief of Staff
- Health and Human Services Secretary, Tom Price
- UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley
- EPA Director, Scott Pruitt
- CIA Director, Mike Pompeo
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