The Christian Century

America’s largest evangelical umbrella group has tapped a veteran expert on refugee resettlement and international relief efforts as its new top lobbyist in Washington, D.C.

The president of the National Association of Evangelicals has taken a rare step into the immigration debate, saying that the long waiting period for citizenship must be shortened and that other reforms should be pursued.

The National Association of Evangelicals has affirmed its stance on caring for the environment—indirectly rebuffing complaints that its vice president for governmental affairs is too engaged in environmental issues—and endorsed a statement condemning torture.

Ted Haggard built up a 14,000-member Pentecostal church on the basis of his charismatic gifts and organizational skills. As one of the country’s most prominent pastors and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, Haggard had access to the White House and was a consultant to presidential adviser Karl Rove. Heady stuff, indeed—until it came crashing down.

In the aftermath of Ted Haggard’s sexual immorality scandal, analysts may wonder how much the misdeeds harmed the evangelical–White House alliance or the National Association of Evangelicals, which the megachurch pastor led as president for three years.