WASHINGTON — The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) announced in a press release that it is investigating reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson has been engaging pastors ahead of the upcoming U.S. House of Representatives midterm elections. FFRF is a nonprofit organization that advocates for church-state separation and educates the public on matters relating to nontheism.
As The Wild Hunt reported last month, Rededicate 250 was promoted by organizers as a “National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving” in advance of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Organized through the Freedom 250 initiative in coordination with the White House Task Force 250, the event drew criticism from church-state separation advocates and interfaith organizations who argued that it blurred the line between religion and government. Critics pointed to the combination of Christian worship, nationalist imagery, and participation by senior government officials as evidence of growing Christian nationalist influence in American public life.
Official Portrait of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson [public domain
Among the speakers was Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who drew cheers when he asked the crowd, “Are you a believer in Jesus?” President Donald Trump also addressed attendees, reading from 2 Chronicles: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
The event was widely viewed as an effort to energize conservative Christian voters ahead of the midterm elections, though organizers denied that objective.
Subsequent reporting by Right Wing Watch and comments later made by attendees suggest that mobilizing church networks for the midterms was discussed during private meetings associated with the event. Pastors attending the event were invited to a private gathering with House Speaker Mike Johnson, where they were encouraged to mobilize their congregations for the upcoming elections.
That account was later confirmed by evangelist pastor David Herzog during an appearance on the ElijahStreams podcast hosted by Kelsey O’Malley from Herzog’s GloryZone studio. Herzog is a prominent figure within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and broader charismatic movement. In his ministry and public teachings, Herzog has frequently described astrology, witchcraft, and other esoteric practices as demonic influences and has characterized Pagan traditions as manifestations of counterfeit spiritual power.
“They invited us,” Herzog said, referring to Johnson and conservative leaders. “It was an invitation to be here and get this special briefing from the Speaker of the House and [pastor Lorenzo Sewell].”
Lorenzo Sewell is a non-denominational charismatic pastor known for his dramatic personal testimony and growing prominence in conservative political circles. He delivered one of the official benedictions at President Trump’s second inauguration.
According to Herzog, Johnson emphasized that pastors would play a critical role in determining whether efforts to “rededicate” the nation would succeed.
“What he came down to was the reason why we need you pastors here is because you guys are the difference that can decide if this thing is going to go one way or the other,” Herzog said. “Basically, he’s saying we need the pastors and the leaders, the Christian leaders, to get on board because if you guys don’t get on board and spread this thing, it’s not going to shift the way it needs to shift.”
“They see the importance of the church as the missing link,” Herzog added. “You could have a good politician, you could have a good president, you could even pass the right laws, but if the church is asleep at the wheel, nothing going to happen. And then it’s also connected to the midterms. I think they want the church to pray, fast, and also mobilize the people to really wake up and be active.”
“He was waking up the pastors and the leaders saying, ‘Guys, wake up. We need you to be part of this awakening, to spread it to your churches, to pray, and to vote, everything so that we can continue with what God has put Trump in it to do,'” Herzog said.
“The midterms are coming up and if that is lost, and Trump is a lame duck president, he can’t really do much more,” Herzog warned. “If the Democrats start taking over—you got New York City and an Islamic mayor of a city? You got that in parts of Michigan. In Texas, they’re trying to make a Sharia law region—evil’s at the door. We have this little sliver of time right now—a president that’s for Israel, for the church—we maybe have a year, two years. If we maximize this time, we can not just see a spiritual awakening of conservatism, but actual revival, harvest, people coming to the Lord.”
“Basically, that was his main message,” Herzog concluded. “You guys have to really take this seriously. We’re doing all this for you guys. We’re giving you the baton.”
Herzog’s comments come as FFRF has separately raised concerns about what it describes as preferential treatment for religious organizations in federal grant programs, including recent addiction-treatment funding initiatives.
“What they were saying was, ‘Guys, we have money for you guys for ministries that are helping the poor, that are helping this, that are helping that,'” Herzog said. “There’s tons of money just sitting there. We’d rather you guys do those programs. Basically, it’s putting the position of power in the church’s hand, kind of like Daniel was in a position of power and Joseph. They’re saying we want you guys to have those positions, not those who are against God’s plans and ideals.”
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