A “Powerful Move of God Is Coming for America”: Christian Nationalists Party at Mar-A-Lago

Cynthia PaulNov 28, 2023

Minute Read

As they openly dreamed of taking back power and destroying their enemies, a group of Christian nationalists who feel that their religion should rule the United States government partied at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, according to a report.”

Dressed in a Tux and Streaming Live to 1 Mil Facebook Followers

Wearing a tuxedo, Lance Wallnau, the main proponent of a “Seven Mountains Mandate” for right-wing Christians to take over politics and culture, was live-streaming to his one million Facebook fans. The former president was scheduled to give a speech at Trump’s Palm Beach resort during the America First Policy Institute dinner, which was a black-tie affair.

Judgment That We Clearly Deserve

Wallnau seized fellow religious Jim Garlow, the MAGA pastor with whom House Speaker Mike Johnson recently prayed to rescue a “depraved” America from the “judgment that we clearly deserve,” as he was filming on his cellphone. The New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, is an evangelical movement connected to both religious leaders that has an odd fixation with material wealth.

It’s Because We’re Dangerous

The two made lighthearted jokes during Friday’s stream: Wallnau taunted Garlow, saying, “You can read about you in the news lately,” alluding to Rolling Stone’s account of the pastor and Johnson’s prayer request. “It’s because we’re dangerous,” Garlow shot back, “what do they call us? ‘Christian nationalists.’”

Disappointed They Didn’t Call Us Christian Internationalists

Initially, Garlow made fun of the media coverage, stating that he was “disappointed they didn’t call us Christian internationalists”—a statement that reflected his desire for dominance among right-wing Christians on a worldwide scale.

Bully Christians

Garlow then pretended to be the victim, insisting that the term “Christian nationalist” had just one meaning. “And that is simply to bully Christians — to intimidate, silence them so they will not be involved governmentally.” Then, according to Garlow, this was carried out “so The Enemy can have his way and destroy the country,” on behalf of demonic powers.

Garlow and Wallnau Palling Around in Tuxedos at Mar-A-Lago

Another striking indication of such influence was the fact that Garlow and Wallnau were lounging around Mar-a-Lago in tuxedos the same week their religious movement made national headlines for its alarming reach into the top echelons of elected Republican politics.

Walk With Christ

Wallnau said that Garlow’s virtual prayer partner was present as well. This person has described the pastor as having a “profound influence” on both his life and his “walk with Christ.” Wallnau stated, “Mike Johnson is here tonight.” “Please let me hear Mike Johnson.” Because he is such an ardent Christian, he is being attacked.

Americans Advised to Break up With Their Pastors

Garlow most definitely did not disassociate himself from a Christian nationalist philosophy in his repartee with Wallnau. Indeed, he emphasized his conviction that Christians are supposed to be in charge and to spread God’s Kingdom across the world. In fact, Garlow counseled Americans to end their relationship with their pastors in the event that the clergy failed to pursue “the issues that God has commanded us to” from the pulpit.

What’s the King Over? Everything.

As Garlow put it: “We don’t just ‘preach Jesus.’ We preach what Jesus preached. He preached the Kingdom … What’s the King over? Everything. Everything. Including the governmental and political realm.”

Bigwigs at the Gala

Image Credit: George Sheldon/Shutterstock.

The America First Policy Institute hosted a three-day conference, with the Friday night gala at Mar-a-Lago serving as its finale. The goal of AFPI is to develop policies for what MAGA-world believes will be a second Trump term. AFPI is led by former Trump government figures such as CEO Brooke Rollins, who was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Trump White House, and chair Linda McMahon, a former member of the Trump cabinet.

Larry Kudlow, Chad Wolf Among Others

Far-right economist Larry Kudlow, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who spoke to the AFPI conference on day one, and executive director Chad Wolf, who served as the unofficial acting head of Homeland Security during the Trump administration’s confrontation with demonstrators in Portland’s streets, are among the other leaders of the organization.

God Moved at Our Prayer Breakfast

There was a strong Christianist undertone during AFPI’s conference. Leading religious influencer in Trump’s inner circle Paula White Cain conducted scripture reading and prayer at an AFPI “Ladies” event. She subsequently shared on Instagram, saying, “God moved at our prayer breakfast 🙏🏻.” The 2023 Patriot award from AFPI was given to televangelist Jentezen Franklin, whose program is named Kingdom Connection, together with his spouse.

Schindler- The Pastor Who Works Closely With Garlow

In actuality, AFPI appears to be deeply ingrained with right-wing religious beliefs. Adam W. Schindler is the chief digital officer of the organization. Along with Garlow, Schindler is a pastor, and the two of them co-founded the World Prayer Network, the platform for the call on which Mike Johnson condemned the growth of LGBTQ children as proof of America’s “dark” and almost “irredeemable” society. Also supporting Johnson’s elevation to speaker is AFPI. In an opinion piece for Newsweek, CEO Rollins praised Johnson’s choice and referred to him as “indefatigably optimistic.”

MAGA Movement Seeks a Return to the White House

Religious fanaticism is no longer disregarded as the MAGA movement aims to retake the White House. The cake now has it baked in. Turning Point USA’s Christian nationalist Charlie Kirk made an appearance at the AFPI convention. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a self-described member of the Christian nationalist congress, was also present at the event.

Some Secular Faces in the Crowd

Image Credit: Sterling Munksgard/Shutterstock.

There were also secular components, such as a performance by Wynonna Judd, a country music icon. Among the boldface MAGA names were former governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal, former football coach at Notre Dame Lou Holtz, Kellyanne Conway, a former Trump spokesman, and Matt Whitaker, a former acting attorney general and well-endowed guy who promoted toilets. “The most magical evening… with 700 closest friends, supporters, and partners,” was how Rollins characterized the gala night.

Trump Will Have 4 More Years in America if God Has Mercy

Editorial credit: Gino Santa Maria/Shutterstock.

After the celebrations, Wallnau came out to record a brand-new Facebook Live video. “We finished with our meeting with Trump,” he remarked, before complimenting the former president on his address, which was given in front of the club’s patrons and isn’t available online: “Vintage Donald Trump tonight. I mean: Focused, funny.” Wallnau went on to praise Trump, calling him a shining example of competency, saying, “I swear, if God wants to have mercy on America, this guy will have four more years.”

No One Else Is Destroying Us. We’re Destroying Ourselves.

“Without him, the sheer stupidity of the leadership decisions that are happening is a form of judgment,” Wallnau said, threatening to unleash God’s wrath. “It’s like having an imbecilic spirit on the country that self-destructs. No one else is destroying us,” Wallnau clarified. “We’re destroying ourselves,”

Powerful Move of God Is Coming for America

However, the Christian nationalist was not without hope. A “powerful move of God is coming for America,” according to Wallnau’s prediction. “I believe God is gonna cause America to rise up,” he continued in 2024.