A Legacy of Shaping Evangelical Power (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Minneapolis – Rev. Rob Schenck, a longtime evangelical leader who once championed the fusion of faith and conservative politics, stepped into the frigid streets alongside local clergy to challenge federal immigration enforcement tactics.[1][2]
A Legacy of Shaping Evangelical Power
Rev. Schenck built much of his career advancing Christian nationalist causes. He founded Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital in 1995, an organization that distributed Ten Commandments plaques to members of Congress and officials.[2] His group launched Operation Higher Court, training wealthy donors as “stealth missionaries” to cultivate relationships with Supreme Court justices and safeguard what he described as a Christian nation.[1]
Schenck immersed himself in the anti-abortion movement, organizing protests and even paying Norma McCorvey – known as Jane Roe – to publicly oppose abortion, a tactic he later deemed unethical. He participated in high-profile cases, such as the Terri Schiavo controversy, and ministered directly to Washington power brokers. These efforts helped solidify the religious right’s influence in American politics over decades.[2]
Renouncing the Past for a New Path
By the 2010s, Schenck began questioning his lifelong work. He concluded that strict anti-abortion laws caused more harm than good and publicly supported Roe v. Wade in a 2019 New York Times op-ed. His transformation deepened as he reflected on the broader consequences of evangelical political engagement.[2]
“We made this terrible deal with Donald Trump because we were already demoralized,” Schenck stated in 2018. He viewed the former president’s rise as a symptom of the moral erosion within conservative Christianity that his own activism had fueled.[1] This shift led him to lead The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute and speak out against the very forces he once empowered.
Minneapolis Faces Federal Pressure
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis amid reports of ICE operations described as a citywide siege. Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, prompting widespread outrage and extending Schenck’s visit beyond initial plans. Earlier incidents, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good, fueled clergy mobilization across denominations.[1][3]
On Friday, the city observed its “Day of Truth and Freedom,” a strike and march where protesters chanted “Whose streets? Our streets!” Hundreds of faith leaders from various traditions patrolled neighborhoods and confronted enforcement actions, leading to arrests at protests near the airport.[4][5]
Solidarity in the Cold
Schenck joined the clergy march despite subzero temperatures, framing his presence as personal atonement. “Being here, in solidarity, is part of the repair work in my own soul,” he declared amid the chants.[1] He praised the grace shown by fellow activists: “These folks are showing more grace in accepting me than I would have ever extended to them.”
“I have to do the work of repair,” Schenck told reporters. “This is redemption.”[1] His participation highlighted a rare bridge between former conservative insiders and progressive faith communities resisting federal tactics.
Key Takeaways
- Schenck’s past included anti-abortion activism and efforts to influence Supreme Court justices through personal networks.
- He now attributes societal divisions, including Trump’s appeal, to the religious right’s moral failings.
- The Minneapolis protests responded to ICE shootings and aggressive enforcement, drawing national clergy support.
Schenck’s journey from evangelical power broker to protest participant underscores the potential for personal and political reckoning amid national unrest. As faith leaders continue to rally, his story serves as a stark reminder that redemption often demands public action. What do you think about this shift in allegiance? Tell us in the comments.
