Pastor Greg Laurie recently shared his conviction that President-elect Donald Trump has a divine “mandate” to lead, emphasizing that Americans are weary of the “woke agenda” that’s dominated recent years. “Americans are tired of this crazy, woke agenda we’ve been dealing with for the last four years,” Laurie posted on X. “We’re done with it: promoting late-term abortions, men in women’s sports, and other agendas harmful to our culture. I believe God has placed President Trump in office for such a time as this.”
Laurie, the founder of Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of the Harvest Crusades, likened Trump’s positioning to the biblical story of Esther, where God used her role to protect her people. Laurie suggested that Trump, too, is in his current position to stand up for values and principles central to Christian teachings.
Laurie also noted Trump’s resilience, mentioning the challenges he’s faced, including two assassination attempts, and highlighted Trump’s own belief that he has been protected by God for a purpose. Reflecting on past leaders like Ronald Reagan, Laurie observed how Reagan openly spoke of God’s protection and went on to play a pivotal role in global peace efforts.
The pastor added that a victory by the opposing party could have posed new challenges for religious freedom, possibly putting pressure on Christian churches. “If the other party had won, I fear that Christians and churches would be facing serious challenges right now,” he explained. “This election is a reprieve, giving us a chance to focus on our First Amendment rights and fulfill our mission to share the Gospel.”
Laurie emphasized that Christians have a right to hold leaders accountable while also praying for them. He recently prayed at Trump’s rally in Coachella, California, stating afterward that his role as a pastor in political spaces is to honor Jesus Christ. Laurie clarified, “My job as a follower of Jesus and a pastor is to represent Christ. No matter where I am, my primary purpose is to point people to Him.”
Laurie also addressed the concept of church and state separation, arguing that the principle was originally intended to prevent government interference in the church, not to exclude Christian influence from public life. “Christians should be active, bringing light and salt to our culture,” Laurie said. “Jesus calls us to shine as bright lights and be the salt of the Earth.”