Mercy Culture, a Fort Worth-based mega-church, has received state-wide attention for its work training Christians to be politically active through a course they offer called Campaign University. The 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs Campaign University, For Liberty and Justice, trains Christians to be “spirit-led candidates, campaign staffers and activists,” with a series of online lessons that are over five hours long.
Founded in 2021, Campaign University is offered at other churches across the country, while For Liberty and Justice has chapters in 10 different counties nationwide. For Liberty and Justice highlighted on its website that the vision for the effort is to “mobilize the church, wake up the city and take a stand for liberty and justice.”
For a one-time fee of $100, anyone can sign up for Campaign University. The course “offers spiritual formation for impactful involvement, builds a community dedicated to political reformation, provides in-depth knowledge of the political realm and equips practical skills for government engagement.”
Campaign University claims that the separation of church and state does not exist, and the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause protects government involvement in religious institutions, rather than religious institutions’ involvement in government operations.
As per their website, For Liberty and Justice “vets and supports candidates who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect our God-given liberties and take a stand for Biblical Justice!”
These aforementioned liberties include opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion policies and gay marriage. Their affiliate church, Mercy Culture, is also a staunch supporter of Israel.
The Fort Worth Report identified at least 10 people who have completed the course and begun their political careers, including Texas GOP Chairman Abraham George. According to the For Liberty and Justice website, the non-profit has raised or supported 48 candidates who shared the “biblical values” of the organization and have won their elections.
Campaign University ramped up its operations following the August decision by the International Revenue Service that allows pastors to endorse political candidates while at the pulpit. The decision reverses a 70-year-old amendment stating that religious institutions were to abstain from political activity or they would lose their tax-exempt status.
This initiative by Mercy Culture to train Christians for office also comes as its pastor, Texas state Rep. Nate Schatzline, announced that he will not be re-running for office, and instead will join President Donald Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board at the end of his second term, in January 2027. The National Faith Advisory Board and Campaign University have been working together to train politically active Christians for office around the nation.
According to their website, For Liberty and Justice has made an impact on Tarrant County, Texas, and the organization hopes to continue that mission and expand to all 254 counties in Texas.
