Most evangelical leaders have made contact with their current congressional representative or senator. Forty-eight percent have personally met with at least one of their senators or representatives, while many others indicated that they have written, talked on the telephone or met with their member’s staff, according to the September Evangelical Leaders Survey.

NAE President Leith Anderson said, “Amazing — half of evangelical leaders have personally met with the congressional representatives. Adding phone calls and mail raises the percentage even higher. Some may say the motivation is primarily political persuasion. I think it is primarily good Christian citizenship.”

Like others, Rosemary Schindler, President of Schindler’s Ark, said she makes a point to visit her congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., every year.

Some noted that they find value in getting to know their elected officials without an agenda. Others included specific legislation that prompted them to contact their legislators.

“We are blessed to live in a country where ordinary citizens can influence the actions of our government at all levels,” said Galen Carey, NAE’s Director of Government Affairs. “From the teachings of the Bible and our experience of salvation, we Christians bring a unique vision to our participation in the political order and a conviction that changed people and transformed communities are possible.”

The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.