It was shocking.
Christian voters played a decisive role in the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, with a significant majority supporting President-elect Donald Trump. A report by George Barna, director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, based on post-election surveys of 2,000 voting-age adults, found that Trump secured 56% of the self-identified Christian vote. With Christians making up 72% of the electorate, their support proved critical to his victory over Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. While Harris gained a larger share of the non-Christian vote, the numerical advantage of Christian voters tipped the scales in Trump’s favor.
The report provided insights into voting patterns across various Christian denominations and groups. Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians (SAGE Cons) demonstrated the highest turnout at 99%, with Trump receiving overwhelming support from this group. Other groups, such as Integrated Disciples and Pentecostal church attendees, also showed increased or steady turnout rates compared to 2020. However, overall turnout among self-identified Christians declined from 64% in 2020 to 56% in 2024, reflecting varied levels of engagement across different subgroups.
Trump’s appeal to Christian voters was attributed to his alignment with values such as family, rule of law, and limited government, which resonated with many religious conservatives. Barna explained that while many Christian voters did not view Trump as a moral role model, they believed he would safeguard their traditional values against policies associated with Harris, including abortion rights and progressive stances on social issues. Trump received strong support across most Christian subgroups, including Evangelicals, born-again Christians, and Protestants, though smaller majorities of Catholics and mainline Protestants also backed him.
The report also highlighted the role of churches in influencing voter behavior. A majority of Christian voters indicated that their churches provided biblical teaching on contemporary issues and encouraged civic participation without endorsing specific candidates. However, fewer churches engaged in activities such as distributing voter guides or hosting political candidates. Pentecostal and Evangelical churches were more likely to promote election-related discussions than mainline Protestant or Catholic churches.
Barna emphasized the importance of pastors and Christian leaders taking a more active role in shaping national values and worldview, particularly among younger generations. He argued that instilling values aligned with biblical principles would help foster unity, justice, and opportunity while preserving cherished traditions. He called on faith leaders to prioritize intentional efforts to guide the moral and cultural direction of the nation.