Move Over Big Tex! Dallas Faith and Politics Gathering Awakens "Sleeping Giant"

Wake UP! 2023 Conference kicks-off 2024 presidential election season, featuring Hon. Michelle Bachmann, Hon. Michael Cloud, Bunni Pounds, Kelly Shackelford, Billy Hallowell and more in Dallas, Nov. 3-4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/ MEDIA CONTACT:

Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660

gregg@iampronline.com

RICHARDSON, Texas – On the heels of the Texas State Fair, politics and religion will come together in Dallas at a one-of-a-kind gathering of government and religious leaders, just as the 2024 U.S. presidential election season heats up. Hundreds of people are expected to participate in the two-day non-partisan event.

Evoking spirited imagery from World War II that birthed what is considered America’s Greatest Generation, the Dallas-area event – bringing together well-known Christian political and faith leaders across denominational lines – will promote prayer, voting, and civic engagement as “the critical mission to awaken the Sleeping Giant,” organizers say.

“Political activity alone will not save America – only the Gospel will,” said organizer Bunni Pounds, whose Christians Engaged organization will host the non-partisan Christian Third Annual Wake UP! Conference at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, Nov. 3-4.

“Jesus Christ -- and his Church -- is the only hope for America," said Pounds, a former political consultant for 16 years. “Our goal is to activate, inspire and educate those who walk with Jesus and want to impact the nation outside their churches’ four walls.”

Pounds graduated with a political science degree from Dallas Baptist University before founding her own political consulting company, then in 2018 running for Congress.

Calling the Church to ‘Wake Up’

Citing a Barna Study showing that one-third of voters listed religious belief as the top influence in their voting decision, and the Apostle Paul’s challenge in the Bible that “now it is high time to awake out of sleep,” Pounds has a goal to mobilize a million Christians to “pray, vote, and engage" before next year’s presidential election.

“The Wake UP! Conference – and its program of prayer, education and worship sessions – walks the fine line between inspiring Christians to get involved in their cities, states, and nation and discipling them to guard their hearts and live authentically in the process,” said Pounds.

She’s authored an upcoming book, Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession, and a special advanced copy will be available onsite for pre-sale to conference attendees. Describing herself as a missionary to America, Pounds chronicles her 16-year stint in government, politics and campaigns, “living the Christian life extravagantly, even in a hostile environment.”

Hon. Michelle Bachmann, former U.S. presidential candidate and dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government, will be a key speaker at Wake UP!

“Christians Engaged is filling a huge hole in the body of Christ,” Bachmann said. “[Pounds’] story should inspire us all to walk daily with Jesus and disciple the nation, one elected official or neighbor at a time.”

Other event speakers include Kelly Shackelford, founder and president of First Liberty Institute; U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud; Billy Hallowell of the Washington Times; Texas Senator Bryan Hughes; Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Pennsylvania; and Kyle Lance Martin, founder of the evangelistic ministry Time to Revive.

For more information, visit www.thececonference.org. For a full event schedule, visit:https://www.thececonference.org/schedule

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MEDIA: Arrange your interview with Bunni Pounds of Christians Engaged today.

Media Contact: Gregg Wooding, I AM PR, (972) 567-7660, Gregg@iampronline.com

About Christians Engaged

Christians Engaged (Christiansengaged.org), a 501(C)(3), was founded by Bunni Pounds, a Bible teacher and former political consultant who ran for U.S. Congress in 2018. Since 2020, Christians Engaged has served more than 125 churches, educated more than 1,700 people through in-person, Zoom, and on-demand full-length video classes, and currently communicates weekly on prayer, voting, and engagement with approximately 140,000 Christians across the U.S. The ministry produces books, articles, prayer alerts, and podcasts to educate the Christian community on the importance of praying and engaging in the political process for the wellbeing of America.

Wake UP! Conference 2023 Biographies

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Hon. Michele Bachmann is dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University, a former member of Congress (2007-2015) and a former presidential candidate (2012).

Kelly Shackelford is a constitutional scholar who serves as president and CEO of First Liberty Institute. He is an avid speaker and frequent news and talk show guest who serves as an advisory board member for Christians Engaged.

Hon. Michael Cloud is a U.S. Congressman (TX-27 - Victoria, Corpus Christi) who serves as a member of the Appropriations Committee. He is an advisory board member for Christians Engaged and a former media director at Faith Family Church in Victoria, Texas.

Bunni Pounds is the founder and president of Christians Engaged, who launched the first Wake-Up! Conference in 2021. A former Congressional candidate and political consultant for 16 years, Bunni is also an author whose latest book Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession will be published in early 2024. She is a Bible teacher and bold proclaimer of the Gospel, whose articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Charisma Magazine and The Stream.

Hon. Bryan Hughes is a Texas State Senator (SD-1) who chairs Senate committees on State Affairs and Jurisprudence. He is well-known as a prolife and religious liberty advocate in the Texas legislature.

Billy Hallowell is a veteran journalist and commentator who works for the Washington Times and CBN News. He is also a podcast host and published author, whose titles include Playing with Fire, Fault Line, and The Armageddon Code.

Kyle Lance Martin is founder and CEO of the evangelistic ministry Time to Revive. He is also a Bible teacher and Christians Engaged advisory board member.

Hon. Stephanie Borowicz is a Pennsylvania State Representative (HD-76) who serves on the Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Environmental Resources & Energy, and Health committees. She is a Christians Engaged advisory board member.

Klaus Kuehn and Bethany Stephens are gifted musicians who will lead worship sessions during the Wake-Up! 2023 Conference.

OTHER SPEAKERS AND PARTICIPANTS

Reverend Rafael Cruz is an ordained minister and the director of Grace for America, where he shares the Word of God in churches and pastors conferences throughout the United States. He is the father of U.S Senator Ted Cruz, and a Christians Engaged advisory board member.

Kevin Freeman is host of Blaze TV’s Economic War Room with Kevin Freeman. He is founder and chairman of the National Security Investment Consultant Institute (NSIC) and author of the new book Pirate Money. He also serves as a Christians Engaged advisory board member.

Ben Quine is curriculum director for Christians Engaged. He is a veteran Bible teacher and classical pianist, who authored the Answers for Difficult Days Bible study series.

Kamryn Green is an author, youth ministry leader, and worship leader and daughter of Rick and Kara Green from Patriot Academy

Hon. Scott Sanford serves as executive pastor at Cottonwood Creek Church. He is also a former Texas State Representative (HD-70) who, during his tenure, championed the sanctity of life and religious liberty issues.

Pastor Dave Welch is an ordained minister and founder and executive director of the U.S.Pastor Council and the Texas Pastor Council. He was also a former senior staff member of The Christian Coalition.

Pastor Kason Huddleston is senior pastor at Freedom Place Church who is a passionate Bible teacher, worship leader and advocate for training community leaders.

Aamon Ross is founder of Kingdom in Politics – a program that teaches Christians how to run for public office. He is a political strategist, business consultant and podcast host.

Hon. Matt Krause is a former Texas State Representative (HD-93) who serves as Of Counsel for First Liberty Institute. He is also a senior fellow for the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Terri Hasdorff is a former Congressional candidate (AL-02) and former staff member at The White House Office of Public Engagement. She is the author of Running into the Fire, published by Frontline Books.

Eugene Ralph, Jr. is a young conservative leader, political activist, writer and speaker.

Eugene Ralph, Sr. is a longtime political activist and pastor who serves as board member for Christians Engaged.

Audrey Sol Loyola is a young conservative leader, communications professional, speaker, and writer.

Bibi Loyola is a Christian leader and speaker who serves as outreach director for U. S. Senator Ted Cruz and an active board member for Christians Engaged.

Madysen Freeman is a young Christian leader, speaker, and writer who works as a social media content creator for TUVU.

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Wake UP! 2023

Backgrounder

WHAT IS WAKE UP! 2023?

The Third Annual Wake UP! 2023 Conference is a one-of-a-kind non-partisan gathering of government and religious leaders, being held in the Dallas suburb of Allen, Texas, Nov. 3-4, 2023 -- as the 2024 U.S. presidential election season heats up. The purpose is to activate, inspire and educate those who walk with Jesus and want to impact the nation outside their churches’ four walls.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT IT?

Evoking spirited imagery from World War II that birthed what is considered America’s Greatest Generation, Wake UP! 2023 – bringing together well-known Christian political and faith leaders across denominational lines – will promote prayer, voting, and civic engagement as “the critical mission to awaken the Sleeping Giant,” organizers say.

WHY WAS IT CREATED?

The annual conference, supported in the past by well-known leaders Texas Governor Rick Perry, Allie Beth Stuckey, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Eric Metaxas and evangelical minister James Robison, was launched in 2021 to muster more civic engagement in the faith community. The ambitious goal is to mobilize a million Christians to “pray, vote, and engage" before next year’s presidential election.

WHO ARE THE HEADLINE SPEAKERS?

Featured speakers at Wake UP! 2023 are Hon. Michelle Bachmann, former U.S. presidential candidate and dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government; Kelly Shackelford, founder and president of First Liberty Institute; U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud; Billy Hallowell of the Washington Times; Texas Senator Bryan Hughes; Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Pennsylvania; Kyle Lance Martin, founder of the evangelistic ministry Time to Revive, and Bunni Pounds, President of Christians Engaged.

WHO IS THE ORGANIZER OF THE WAKE-UP! 2023 CONFERENCE?

Christians Engaged (Christiansengaged.org), a 501(C)(3), was founded by Bunni Pounds, a Bible teacher and former political consultant who ran for U.S. Congress in 2018. Since 2020, Christians Engaged has served more than 125 churches, educated almost 2,000 people through in-person, Zoom, and on-demand full-length video classes, and currently communicates weekly on prayer, voting, and engagement with approximately 140,000 Christians across the U.S. The ministry produces books, articles, prayer alerts, and podcasts to educate the Christian community on the importance of praying and engaging in the political process for the wellbeing of America.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

Take the pledge:
PRAY - Commit to pray for 5 minutes a week for our nation.
VOTE - Commit to vote in every election (local, state, and national).
ENGAGE - Commit to engage your heart in some form of civic education and involvement for the well-being of our nation
Register to attend Wake UP! 2023: https://www.thececonference.org/tickets

CONTACT:

Working press can arrange your interview with Bunni Pounds of Christians Engaged and other members of the Wake UP! 2023 conference by contacting Gregg Wooding, I AM PR, (972) 567-7660, Gregg@iampronline.com

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Wake UP! 2023

Founder and President of Christians Engaged Shines Light into

America’s Political Turmoil with New Book Release

Lake Mary, Fla.—Founder and president of Christians Engaged Bunni Pounds is shining the light of Christ into the darkness of America’s political climate with her new book ‘Jesus and Politics’ (ISBN-13: 978-1-63641-347-1). With ‘Jesus and Politics,’ Pounds is sharing how God has guided her throughout her own political journey and how Christians can become politically involved so they can magnify the name of Christ throughout the nation.

“All parts of our culture, especially politics, need followers of Jesus to be involved within the system,” Pounds writes. “I want to inspire you to get involved somewhere. The founders of our nation gave us a gift in our Constitution, but our liberty requires our participation.” 45th Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker believes that ‘Jesus and Politics,’ and Pounds herself are doing the critical work of shedding light in a world turning its back on God.

“The moment I met Bunni, shortly after her race, I knew we were supposed to work together,” Walker said. “My wife Rosel and I are honored to work with Bunni, to know her as a true friend, recommend you read this book as she empowers us all to know God more and to disciple a nation. If we walk with God every day, together we can impact America.”

While Pounds is adamant about the cruciality of Christians’ involvement in politics, she is even more passionate about sharing Christ’s love with others.

“Through the simple telling of my story, my deep hope is that you will discover, as I have, that God wants to walk with you intimately every day,” Pounds writes. “You are the passion of His heart. I pray that wherever you are in this season of your life—whether as a student, business owner, school lteacher, elected official or legislative staffer—you will be inspired to simply walk with Jesus wherever He leads you.”

When it comes to politics and other matters, Pounds encourages others through Jesus and Politics to spend time getting to know Christ on a deeper level. It is only through this relationship that we can actually impact the world for the Kingdom of God.

“Seek to hear Jesus’ voice, know His Word, and be daily obedient to Him—this is how we change the world,” Pounds writes. “My story might be walking with members of Congress, but we can all impact someone’s life somewhere. Our nation is changed one heart and life at a time, and God loves to use weak vessels just like us.”

‘Jesus and Politics,’ published by the Charisma House imprint Front Line, releases February 6, 2024, and is available online and wherever books are sold.

To interview Bunni Pounds or for a review copy, please contact media@charismamedia.com.

Author Biography

Bunni Pounds is the founder and president of Christians Engaged, which seeks to awaken, educate, and empower Christians to pray, vote, and engage regularly in efforts to improve the nation’s well-being. She was a political consultant for sixteen years, helping several members of Congress run their campaigns in addition to serving more than thirty federal, state, and county candidates through her firm. In 2018 she ran for Congress herself, becoming the only candidate in the nation endorsed by Vice President Mike Pence during that primary season. A graduate of Christ for the Nations and Dallas Baptist University, Pounds loves Jesus and sharing the gospel with anyone who will listen—whether she’s in the halls of Congress or her own hometown. She and her husband, Tim, have been married since 1996 and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Keep in touch with Bunni Pounds:

Website: https://www.bunnipounds.com/

Facebook: bunnipoundsTX

Twitter: @bunnipounds

Instagram: @bunnipounds

YouTube: @christiansengaged

Living/Social Issues, RELIGION/Christian Living/General

Interview Questions for Your Interview with Bunni Pounds, Author of “Jesus and Politics”

1. Mrs. Pounds, you have had quite an incredible journey, spending sixteen years in D.C. working in the political sphere while also using this as an opportunity to a witness for Christ. Please share more of your story with us.

2. Something you touch on in your new book, Jesus and Politics, is how God has brought many different divine appointments along your path. Can you tell us more about those?

3. Something you’ve shared with readers is your passion to show what good leadership looks like through the political realm. Why do you believe it is so hard to get the right kinds of leaders elected into our government?

4. Many Christians are skeptical of participating in politics or endorsing a political

campaign. Why do you believe that is, and how can we be encouraged that it is okay to be part of this process?

5. What is one key that you discuss in Jesus and Politics that you would like to share with the audience today?

6. What are some easy ways that people can get involved in politics that they may not know about?

7. How has writing this book transformed your own walk with Christ and your understanding of politics?

8. What is the most important thing you want readers to take from reading this book?

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