Why It Matters
With a ceasefire now in effect following the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, America’s evangelical Christian community — numbering approximately 52 million people — is emerging as one of President Trump’s most vocal and organized bases of support for the operation against Iran. The community’s backing carries significant political weight as the administration navigates the next phase of its Middle East strategy.
What Happened
As the ceasefire took hold Wednesday, prominent evangelical leaders spoke publicly in support of President Donald Trump’s military partnership with Israel and called on Congress to fund continued efforts to counter the Iranian regime. The statements came in the wake of a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, marking a significant pause in hostilities that began with the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Operation Epic Fury — known in Israel as Roaring Lion — was launched with the stated goal of obliterating Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capacity, weakening its military infrastructure, and preventing the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a White House briefing. The first day of the operation marked the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a close evangelical ally of President Trump, was among the leaders who spoke publicly about the campaign. Evans flew to Israel on February 26 as tensions escalated ahead of the operation, touring missile impact sites, meeting wounded civilians and Holocaust survivors, and providing direct financial assistance to affected families.
On March 1, an Iranian missile struck Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, killing nine people. Evans arrived at the scene with first responders shortly after the strike and later visited Hadassah Hospital, where he met a survivor who lost both her husband and mother-in-law in the attack.
American Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, also voiced strong support, stating the evangelical community backs Trump’s decision to confront what Hagee called Iran’s “half-century of terror.” Hagee pledged that evangelical leaders would support any congressional request to fund the operation.
By the Numbers
- 52 million — Estimated size of the evangelical Christian community in the United States
- 127 million — Social media views logged by Evans’ organization in the last eight weeks, directed at combating antisemitism and misinformation
- 7,183 — People evacuated to Israeli hospitals since the start of the war, according to Israel’s Ministry of Health as of Tuesday; 118 remain hospitalized
- 9 — People killed in the Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh on March 1
- $50,000 — Financial assistance Evans provided to a bereaved family during his visit to Israel
- 22–23% — Portion of younger evangelicals Evans estimates have shifted away from traditional support for Israel
Zoom Out
The evangelical community’s unified response reflects a broader realignment of American religious conservatism around strong U.S. support for Israel. Leaders like Evans and Hagee argue that this support is not merely political but rooted in biblical theology — a view sometimes described as Christian Zionism, which holds that the land of Israel carries enduring religious significance.
Evans acknowledged that a segment of younger evangelicals — influenced by university culture and online voices — has drifted from traditional pro-Israel positions, estimating roughly 22 to 23 percent have shifted. Both Evans and Hagee said they are actively working to counter that trend through digital outreach and direct engagement.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the U.S. delegation in ongoing Iran talks hosted in Pakistan, signaling that the administration is pursuing a diplomatic track alongside its military posture. Hagee specifically called on evangelical constituents to pressure elected officials to support the operation, framing it as both a moral and national security imperative.
What’s Next
With the ceasefire now in place, attention is turning to whether Congress will authorize additional funding for the campaign and how the administration will maintain pressure on Iran’s remaining military capabilities. Evangelical leaders have pledged to mobilize their constituencies in support of any congressional action. Evans indicated his organization will continue its on-the-ground humanitarian work in Israel while ramping up social media efforts to counter antisemitic narratives online.