Faith Facts

• Pastor Keith Craft of Elevate Life Church is supporting mayoral candidate Alan Vera in a Fort Worth runoff election
• Craft called Islam an “ideology from Hell” during a prayer service for the candidate
• The pastor characterized the election as a spiritual battle requiring Christian engagement

A prominent Texas pastor is calling on Christians to recognize the spiritual dimensions of local politics as a member of his congregation competes in a critical mayoral runoff. Pastor Keith Craft of Elevate Life Church in Frisco has publicly declared his support for Fort Worth mayoral candidate Alan Vera, characterizing the race as more than just a political contest.

During a prayer service, Craft made clear statements about competing worldviews and their impact on American cities. The pastor called Islam an “ideology from Hell” while praying for Vera’s campaign, emphasizing what he sees as fundamental differences between Christian values and other belief systems.

“This is a spiritual battle,” Craft told his congregation, framing the election in terms that resonate with many Christian conservatives who believe faith must inform civic engagement.

Vera, described as a longtime member of Craft’s church, is seeking to lead Fort Worth in what has become a closely watched race. The runoff election format means the outcome will be determined by which candidate can most effectively mobilize their base of support.

Pastor Craft’s public involvement reflects a growing trend among evangelical leaders who are encouraging their congregations to view local elections through a spiritual lens. Rather than separating faith from politics, these pastors argue that Christian principles should guide decisions at every level of government.

The pastor’s characterization of Islam has drawn attention, representing a theological position held by many evangelical Christians who view their faith as uniquely true. This perspective maintains that Christianity offers the only path to salvation and that other religious systems represent false teachings that lead people away from God.

For supporters, Craft’s willingness to speak plainly about religious differences demonstrates courage in an era when many religious leaders avoid such direct statements. They argue that pastors have a responsibility to help their congregations understand the implications of different worldviews on public policy and community life.

The Fort Worth mayoral race has become a focal point for discussions about the role of faith in local government. Vera’s campaign has emphasized traditional values and principles that align with his Christian background, appealing to voters who want leadership grounded in biblical morality.

Craft’s prayer for Vera included specific requests for divine intervention in the election outcome. The pastor encouraged his congregation to participate actively in the democratic process, viewing their votes as expressions of their faith commitments.

The concept of spiritual warfare in political contexts has deep roots in evangelical theology. Many Christians believe that earthly conflicts reflect larger battles between good and evil, light and darkness, requiring both prayer and action from believers.

This perspective holds that who leads cities and nations matters not just for practical reasons but for spiritual ones. Leaders who honor God and govern according to biblical principles create environments where faith can flourish, while those who reject Christian values may implement policies that undermine religious freedom and moral standards.

The pastor’s public stance demonstrates a conviction that churches should not remain neutral when elections involve candidates with vastly different worldviews and values. Rather than avoiding controversy, Craft has embraced his role as a spiritual leader who helps his congregation navigate political decisions through a biblical framework.

As the runoff election approaches, the involvement of faith leaders like Craft highlights the ongoing importance of religious conviction in American political life. For many Christian conservatives, the integration of faith and civic duty represents not a violation of separation between church and state but rather the fulfillment of their responsibility as citizens and believers.

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Faith Facts

• Jewish religious leaders express significant discomfort with Christian end-times theology despite accepting political support
• Palestinian Christians represent a complex dimension often overlooked in discussions of Holy Land faith communities
• Christian Zionists provide substantial support to Israel while maintaining theological views many Jewish leaders find troubling

The spiritual landscape of the Holy Land reveals a relationship far more complicated than many American Christians realize. While believers who support Israel’s restoration often find common cause with Jewish advocates, the underlying theological foundations create tensions that rarely surface in public discourse.

Christian Zionists have long stood as some of Israel’s most vocal and generous supporters in the United States. Their advocacy stems from deeply held biblical convictions about God’s promises to the Jewish people and prophecies concerning the end times.

Yet this support comes with theological strings that make many Jewish religious authorities deeply uncomfortable. The eschatological beliefs held by many Christian supporters—particularly regarding events predicted for the last days—include scenarios that Jewish leaders find not just disagreeable but profoundly troubling to their own faith traditions.

Despite these theological differences, the political and financial support continues to flow. Israeli officials and Zionist organizations maintain working relationships with Christian Zionist groups, recognizing the value of their advocacy even while religious leaders privately express reservations about the motivations behind it.

The situation grows even more layered when Palestinian believers are considered. These Christians, many of whom trace their heritage in the land back to the earliest days of the Church, represent a dimension of Holy Land Christianity that challenges simplified narratives on all sides.

Palestinian Christians navigate their own complex identity—sharing faith with Western believers who often support policies they oppose, while living among Muslim neighbors in communities shaped by decades of conflict. Their voices and experiences add crucial texture to understanding the full reality of Christian life in the birthplace of our faith.

For American Christians seeking to faithfully engage with the modern state of Israel and the broader Middle East, this complexity demands humility and discernment. Supporting our Jewish friends and honoring God’s covenant promises need not require ignoring the difficult realities on the ground or the concerns of fellow believers caught in challenging circumstances.

The relationship paradox in the Holy Land reminds us that God’s purposes often unfold in ways that transcend our political categories and comfortable alliances. As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we must also pray for wisdom to love all peoples while remaining faithful to Scripture’s testimony.

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Faith Facts

• Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, lost his 20-year-old son Evan to drug addiction
• The pastor declared that the devil will pay a ‘hundredfold’ for his son’s death
• The tragedy highlights the ongoing drug crisis affecting American families and communities

In a heart-wrenching loss that has shaken his congregation and followers nationwide, Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, is mourning the death of his 20-year-old son, Evan. The young man lost his battle with drug addiction last Friday, leaving behind a grieving family and a community rallying in prayer.

Pastor Locke, known for his bold preaching and unwavering faith, has vowed that this tragedy will not be in vain. He has declared that the devil will pay a “hundredfold” for his son’s life, signaling his determination to turn this profound loss into a powerful testimony of God’s redemption and spiritual warfare.

The pastor’s promise reflects a deep theological conviction that even in the darkest valleys, God’s purposes will prevail. For many Christian families across America, the Locke family’s struggle with addiction is painfully familiar. The opioid and drug crisis has touched countless homes, regardless of faith, income, or geography.

Evan’s battle with addiction serves as a stark reminder that no family is immune to the devastating impact of drugs in our society. Christian leaders have increasingly called for both compassionate intervention and spiritual deliverance for those trapped in the chains of substance abuse.

Pastor Locke’s response demonstrates the Christian understanding that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. His declaration of victory through grief embodies the biblical promise that God can work all things together for good for those who love Him.

The Global Vision Bible Church community has rallied around their pastor during this difficult time, offering prayers, support, and solidarity. Many have shared their own stories of loss and recovery, creating a space for honest conversation about addiction within the church.

This tragedy also underscores the urgent need for churches to address addiction openly and provide robust support systems for families facing similar battles. Too often, shame and stigma prevent families from seeking the help they desperately need.

As Pastor Locke processes his grief publicly, his determination to see the enemy defeated speaks to the resilience of faith in the face of unspeakable loss. His promise that the devil will pay “hundredfold” is both a spiritual warfare declaration and a commitment to honor his son’s memory through ministry and action.

The pastor’s journey through this valley will undoubtedly impact his ministry and reach countless others walking similar paths. In Christian teaching, redemption often comes through suffering, and testimonies born from pain carry unique power to minister to hurting souls.

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