By Chris Carpenter, Contributor
We are currently living in a nation that desperately needs leaders who are resolute in standing upon the principles created by our Founding Fathers. It is these tenets of freedom and liberty that have forged a nation of opportunity and promise.
But long before foundational leaders like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison shaped the constitutional framework that defined our American Ideals, there was a fifth century Jewish cupbearer who was renowned for his leadership, relying on prayer, courage and integrity to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days.
Author Bunni Pounds is calling on Christians to reclaim their influence by following the leadership principles of that aforementioned Jewish leader, Nehemiah. She points out that God uses ordinary people like him to respond to national challenges with extraordinary courage.
“We look so often to lead the charge,” says Pounds, who has a background in politics, having run for Congress in 2018. “But we’re all called to share the Gospel. We’re all called to disciple people.
“Nehemiah was the one who tested the wine and made sure that the king didn’t keel over. But he was in the room when they were making key decisions in the court. So, he was in strategic places that when God put a calling on his life, he was willing to step out in obedience. God granted him the favor to do it. And I think sometimes we overlook those moments in our lives because we think it’s everybody else, but not us. And God’s tapping us on the shoulder and saying, ‘No, I’m calling you.’”
In her forthcoming book, Stepping Up to Lead: Building a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah, Bounds challenges believers not to retreat from cultural and civic arenas, but to engage them boldly — rebuilding what is broken and shaping the future with godly conviction. The book serves as both a guide and a practical roadmap for those ready to step up and lead in their communities and beyond.
As a former political consultant who spent 16 years in politics and government, Pounds launched Christians Engaged in 2019 to mobilize believers to pray, vote and engage biblically in every election.
In her latest initiative, coming April 18–25, the Texas native has rallied more than 450 Christian leaders to come together for “America Reads the Bible,” a week-long Bible reading event to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday at the Museum of the Bible.
“You’re going to see our national leaders, whether it’s a cabinet member, members of Congress, Hollywood folks, all sharing their personal testimonies related to the Bible and the importance of the Bible in their life,” Pounds shares. “We are calling the American people back to daily Bible reading and discipleship (through this event). We will go for seven full days, 12 hours a day, 84 hours in total.”
Pounds joins us to discuss why the story of Nehemiah is especially relevant to Americans right now, what biblical leadership should look like at this moment, and the value of coming together to read the Bible in anticipation of America’s 250th birthday.
