U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s deep ties to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a growing Christian nationalist network, have raised eyebrows both before and after his January 2025 confirmation. More recently, a Pentagon prayer led by Hegseth and his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, praised Donald Trump as a divinely chosen leader—further fueling scrutiny.
As a scholar of the Christian right, I’ve closely followed the CREC and its expanding influence. Hegseth’s involvement with a CREC-affiliated church matters because the group openly embraces Christian nationalism and promotes rigid stances on gender roles, sexuality, and the role of religion in American government.
What Is the CREC?
The CREC is a network of conservative Reformed churches launched in 1993 by Pastor Doug Wilson, based out of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Wilson is the central figure in the movement and has turned Moscow into a headquarters for his broader vision. Around Christ Church, he has built a full ecosystem of institutions—private schools, a university, and a media empire—all united by the belief that Christianity should dominate public life and politics.
Wilson and the CREC believe secularism and religious pluralism have weakened the country. They want to reshape society by placing Christianity—and their interpretation of it—at the center of all public and private institutions.
Wilson is not Hegseth’s personal pastor, but the two men have expressed admiration for one another’s work. And their beliefs align closely.
A Church Network with a Mission
Wilson’s Christ Church has aggressively expanded its reach through church planting and cultural influence. His stated goal is to “make Moscow a Christian town,” and he sees no place for religious diversity or political compromise in public life. CREC churches reject liberal theology, promote traditional gender roles, and insist the U.S. government should be led by Christians.
One of Wilson’s most provocative statements describes a sexual relationship as one in which “a woman receives, surrenders, accepts”—a reflection of the group’s patriarchal worldview.
CREC theology also challenges the idea that church and state should be separate. Instead, the group promotes the belief that Christian values—and Christian people—should guide government leadership. Scholar Matthew Taylor summarizes their view: “The church is supposed to be militant in the world … reforming and in some ways conquering the world.”
Today, the CREC claims over 130 churches and parishes across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Their decentralized model encourages rapid expansion, with congregations starting independently and then affiliating with the network.
CREC in Education
Doug Wilson has also turned education into a key pillar of the CREC’s expansion. In 1981, he founded Logos School in Moscow—a K–12 institution based on “classical Christian” education that emphasizes a biblical worldview, Western literature, and conservative values.
From that starting point, he launched Logos Press to distribute curriculum to homeschoolers and private schools worldwide. Logos schools now enroll over 2,000 students in 16 countries. Wilson also created the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), which accredits more than 500 schools and educates more than 50,000 students.
Wilson’s higher education initiative, New Saint Andrews College, furthers the CREC’s ideology into the college level. The college openly criticizes “secularism” in higher education and takes pride in rejecting federal funding. Its leadership is directly tied to Christ Church, ensuring theological and ideological alignment.
The rhetoric around education in the CREC is militant. Logos materials promote the idea of “education as warfare,” and the goal, they say, is to raise children who will “leave craters in the world of secularism.”
The CREC’s Media Machine
In addition to religious institutions, Wilson founded Canon Press, a media company that publishes books, podcasts, apparel, and even weapons-themed merchandise like flamethrowers. Canon’s YouTube channel has more than 100,000 followers.
Canon’s catalog includes everything from children’s books to guides on Christian masculinity and political strategy. One of the most influential books they promote is The Case for Christian Nationalism by Stephen Wolfe, a manifesto arguing that America should be governed explicitly by Christian principles.
Another key figure is Joe Rigney, a New Saint Andrews theology professor and Christ Church pastor, who controversially describes empathy as a “sin” that weakens Christian resolve.
Controversy and Criticism
The CREC has faced numerous controversies. In 1996, Wilson co-authored a book defending slavery as a system that allegedly fostered “affection among the races,” sparking national outrage. More recently, the church has been criticized for its handling of sexual abuse allegations. Investigative reporting by Vice included testimonies from women who described a culture of normalized abuse, especially within marriage. The church denied wrongdoing but said it refers abuse allegations to authorities.
As defense secretary, Hegseth has made several controversial moves aligned with CREC values—banning transgender individuals from military service and removing the name of LGBTQ+ icon Harvey Milk from a Navy ship. These actions have fueled more interest in the influence of Christian nationalist thought within the Trump administration.
A Growing Influence in American Politics
While the CREC lacks the name recognition of major evangelical denominations, its reach is growing—especially among conservatives seeking a bold, anti-secular message. Its decentralized church model, media output, and educational institutions make it a potent force in reshaping American public life.
With Hegseth now holding a top cabinet position and openly aligning with CREC values, the group’s influence is no longer confined to churches and schools. Its political ambitions—previously dismissed by many as fringe—are now embedded at the highest levels of government. And that’s likely to keep CREC in the national conversation for years to come.Tools
