If Christian citizens hope to have a continual impact on America's political discourse, we will need to experience deep renewal and revival from time to time. After years of dynamic leadership that has led to ever increasing influence in the halls of political power, Christian Coalition of America is having just such a renewal in 2003.

The Coalition began the year with a new president and a clear mandate to solidify and build upon the remarkable gains made in the historic 2000 general election. And from a spiritual perspective, CCA is experiencing nothing short of true revival.

"If you think about it, our very name – Christian Coalition – is an awesome thing to have as a label," says CCA's president, Roberta Combs. "We are only able to live up to that name on Capitol Hill if we are continually refreshed by His Spirit and get daily guidance from His Word."

The Coalition's increasingly active presence in Washington, DC has led to the realization that every contact with our nation's elected and appointed officials requires prayerful and diligent preparation. What America's first president called "...a humble but firm reliance on divine guidance" has become the new hallmark of CCA's work in our nation's capital.

Roberta puts it this way: "One of the greatest honors in my years of working to build our Coalition came when my fellow board member, Pastor Billy McCormack, introduced me at the 2000 Republican National Convention as a woman who is putting the 'Christian' back in 'Christian Coalition.'"

So it was not surprising that one of Combs' first policy decisions after being named president in late 2001 was to begin re-emphasizing the spiritual foundations that have made Christian Coalition and, indeed, the United States of America, so successful.

A New Slogan for the New Coalition In order to focus on the need for continual spiritual and organizational renewal, Combs has directed that her national staff include a new slogan in Christian Coalition publications and correspondence. "Faith with Action," of course, refers to the Apostle James' famous discourse in the second chapter of the Book that bears his name.

The need for a truly spiritual approach to the complex and demanding political and governmental activities that Christian Coalition members undertake every day has never been more clear. Coalition lobbyists and executives find themselves in greater need of prayer and Christian fellowship than ever before as intense battles rage on life issues, religious freedom matters, inter-religious concerns, dangerous foreign relations that have spiritual overtones, and hundreds of other subjects that vitally affect every Christian family and individual.

And with the largest and best-equipped lobbying team in Coalition history opportunities to have a Christian impact on our government have multiplied dramatically.

"I strongly believe that Christian Coalition is in Washington for such a time as this," Combs says. "The familiar passage from the fourth book of Esther has become a defining factor in how I approach leadership at CCA. We are so very privileged to carry the name "Christian" in our organization's name that we must do everything possible to represent Him with excellence and compassion for others, while also carefully maintaining a full awareness that we are ultimately dealing with spiritual realities in our vital work."

New Emphasis on Team Building This inclusiveness has brought a refreshing new quality to Christian Coalition of America's presence in the District of Columbia. One of the obvious fruits of this approach is the expanding number of Christian leaders and ministries that are participating in major events like the 2002 Road to Victory Conference. For example, for the first time ever, Joyce Meyer Ministries was a co-sponsor of our 2002 Road to Victory Conference. Many church and para-church organizations are asking CCA to help organize citizen activist groups as "special interest CCA affiliates," as well. And rest assured that many other groups will be invited to take the lead in Christian Coalition events and activities in the future under Roberta Combs' leadership.

"I think I misspoke in Philadelphia at the Republican Convention when I introduced Roberta as the one putting 'Christian' back in 'Christian Coalition,'" says board member McCormack. "I should have added that she is putting 'Coalition' back in there, too!"

From whatever perspective one looks at Christian Coalition of America, there is a vibrant energy that is the direct result of the Lord's having sent new leadership and a spirit of renewal to one of His choice instruments. CCA has more access to administration officials, more influence in congressional and administrative affairs, and more impact on international delegations to the United States government than at any previous time. Of course, the Coalition is also receiving more negative press notices from the liberal media (and even from some conservative and Christian publications) than at previous times, but that is a sort of honor in a city given to hype and spin.

"Christian Coalition's greatest days lie just before us," says Combs. "Our mission is changing as we build on past victories, but our very presence here in Washington has had a tremendous impact on both the spiritual and political planes. My greatest hope is that what we've accomplished in the nation's capital will continue to be replicated in state after state, and neighborhood after neighborhood.

"This is a new day," Combs continues, "and we have a new way about us. It's true that we are standing on the shoulders of great Christian visionaries that gave our Coalition form and shape, but now it is time for us to be refreshed and renewed so we can vigorously take on the new challenges before us.

"I'm a mother and grandmother who realizes that we are literally shaping the legacy that our generation will leave to those who follow. It is worth every minute of prayer, every hour of volunteer political work, and every dollar contributed to see to it that our rich heritage of Christian liberty is passed on to following generations.

"I only ask that every Christian who loves and appreciates the great blessing we have as Americans will keep us in prayer and stand with us as they continue supporting their own local outreaches. After all, Christian Coalition of America belongs to every American Christian," Roberta concludes.

Combs is only reiterating what the Coalition has worked to achieve for 13 action-packed years… returning a sense of cultural ownership to Christian citizens nationwide. Yes, we have a place at the table again, and a prominent one at that.

Of course, there is much political action left to undertake before our nation begins to resemble what we pray it will become. But now, through a renewed spiritual emphasis and a much broader ministry outreach, Christian Coalition of America is leading American citizens in a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who has brought us this far... to God be the glory.