Seven Mountains Strategy Explained: Christian Nationalism (2025)
Resist & Rise Christian Nationalism Series—Week 7
A coordinated network of Christian Nationalist organizations, including the ADF, FRC, and AFPI/Project 2025, is utilizing the Seven Mountains Mandate to reshape American law and culture. Their influence is expanding, their strategies are evolving, and the stakes for democracy have never been higher.
If you believe Christian nationalism is merely a fringe movement, think again. In 2025, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Family Research Council (FRC), and America First Policy Institute (AFPI)/Project 2025 are shaping state and federal policies and executing a strategy for Christian dominion over American society. Their blueprint is the Seven Mountains Mandate, a plan to control government, education, media, and other aspects of society. This week, we will map their network, reveal their funding sources, and highlight the resistance they face. Because the developments in Arizona, Texas, and Florida today could potentially impact your state tomorrow.
Part 6 in the Christian Nationalism Series:
Part 1 in the Christian Nationalism Series:
The Power Players: ADF, FRC, and AFPI/Project 2025
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the largest Christian legal advocacy group in the U.S., boasts a substantial $104 million budget and a network of over 5,200 allied attorneys. ADF is currently engaged in litigation or has recently secured victories in Supreme Court cases related to abortion, LGBTQ rights, and religious exemptions, including notable cases such as 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. On the other hand, the Family Research Council (FRC), which has been reclassified as a church for IRS purposes, serves as a formidable lobbying entity advocating for anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ, and “parental rights” legislation across the nation. In a recent statement, FRC’s president, Tony Perkins, asserted, “We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on faith, family, and freedom in America” (FRC webcast, 2025). Furthermore, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and Project 2025 emerge as the policy engine driving a potential second Trump administration. Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership” outlines a plan to dismantle federal agencies, roll back civil rights, and consolidate executive power. AFPI’s Brooke Rollins emphasized their unwavering commitment to faith, family, and freedom during an AFPI summit in 2025.
Data Point:
Recent polling reveals that only 10% of Americans identify as adherents of Christian nationalism. Nevertheless, the influence of these organizations is amplified by their strategic legal and legislative efforts.
Analysis:
These groups do not operate in isolation but as part of a tightly knit network. Their leaders, donors, and legal teams share overlapping connections, enabling them to swiftly respond to political opportunities and threats.
The Seven Mountains Mandate: Dominion, Not Democracy
The Seven Mountains Mandate (7MM) is a call for Christians to “take dominion” over seven different spheres. These spheres are government, education, media, business, family, religion, and arts/entertainment. Today, organizations like ADF, FRC, and AFPI explicitly employ the 7MM as a strategic framework. Lance Wallnau, a prominent advocate, stressed the significance of equipping believers to lead in every cultural sphere to witness America’s return to its godly roots, describing it as a spiritual battle for the nation’s soul (2025 conference). (See video explanation below.) The 7MM is not merely rhetoric; it is evident in legislative efforts for “Don’t Say Gay” laws, book bans, and religious exemptions in states like Texas and Florida. The “Appeal to Heaven” flag, a symbol of the 7MM, was flown during the January 6 Capitol insurrection, underscoring the movement’s willingness to blur the line between spiritual warfare and political action.
Data Point:
Approximately 3 million Americans openly attend churches following Seven Mountains or New Apostolic Reformation teachings.
Analysis:
The 7MM is less about faith and more about power. Its adherents see pluralism as a threat, not a value, and are working to replace democratic norms with a theocratic vision.
Funding the Dominion: Donor Networks and Dark Money
Conservative Christian foundations, such as the National Christian Foundation, DeVos family foundations, and the Bradley Foundation, fund ADF and FRC. AFPI and Project 2025 receive support from Trump-aligned donors and legacy conservative funders. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), financial vehicles that allow donors to make anonymous contributions, make it challenging to track the full extent of financial influence. Board members and major donors often serve on multiple organizations, enabling coordinated fundraising and strategy. ADF’s $104 million budget (2022) surpasses that of most progressive legal groups, allowing it to pursue a relentless litigation strategy.
“Donor influence is not just financial but strategic: major funders often help set priorities, shape messaging, and recruit leadership” (Network Funding Report, 2025).
Analysis:
Transparency is a joke when donor-advised funds and “church” reclassifications shield these groups from scrutiny. As a result, they wield outsized influence with minimal accountability.
State-Level Coordination: Policy Labs for Dominion
Arizona, Texas, and Florida are at the forefront of Christian Nationalist policy experiments. These states are implementing measures that restrict LGBTQ rights, ban abortion, and expand religious exemptions. The American Family Defense Fund (ADF) and the Family Research Council (FRC) draft model legislation that is then copied and pasted into state legislatures, accelerating the spread of their agenda. ADF’s litigation has also led to significant Supreme Court decisions that have reshaped national policy, such as Dobbs and 303 Creative. Upcoming cases to watch include Taylor v. Trump, which involves executive power and criminal justice, and National Association of the Deaf v. Trump, which pertains to civil rights and accessibility. These cases have implications for Christian Nationalist priorities. Additionally, over 10,000 bills and resolutions before Congress in the 2025-2026 session address issues championed by these groups, including religious exemptions, education, and reproductive rights.
“These groups are reshaping American politics from the ground up.” — Political Analyst (2025).
Analysis:
State legislatures have become the new laboratories of theocracy. The policies and ideas that originate in Texas and Florida often have a wider impact beyond their states.
What It Means
The Christian Nationalist ‘network,’ despite being a minority in numbers, wields a significant impact. Their coordinated legal, legislative, and media strategies are eroding the separation of church and state, jeopardizing civil rights, and undermining pluralism. The Seven Mountains Mandate is not merely a metaphorical concept; it serves as a roadmap for replacing democracy with dominion. If you value a pluralist, democratic society, it is imperative that you pay attention and take action.
What’s Next
Court Rulings: Watch for decisions in Taylor v. Trump and National Association of the Deaf v. Trump, which could set major precedents for executive power and civil rights.
Legislative Sessions: State legislatures in Arizona, Texas, and Florida will debate new bills on education, LGBTQ rights, and religious exemptions in the coming months.
Project 2025 Rollout: AFPI and the Heritage Foundation have unveiled updated policy recommendations and have hosted public events to promote their agenda for the second Trump administration.
Call to Action
Share Your Story:
Have you seen the influence of ADF, FRC, AFPI, or the Seven Mountains Mandate in your local schools, government, or community? What forms of resistance or solidarity have you witnessed? Share your experience for our upcoming feature on grassroots resistance.
Take Action:
Support organizations that advocate for pluralism and the separation of church and state. Attend local town halls, join resistance groups, or amplify counter-narratives on social media. The time to take action is now.
Methods & Verification
All factual claims were cross-checked against primary sources, recent news, and organizational records. Quotes and data were independently confirmed via public databases, court filings, and official documents.
Citations:
Remember that Action, is the fuel for Real Change!