The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is an evangelical Christian nonprofit that promotes a middle ground on different ideologies within American Christianity pertaining to social issues such as racial discrimination, immigration, abortion, and marriage. ¹

The NAE has previously voiced support for vaccinations during the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as increasing the United States’ refugee acceptance threshold. ¹ It also made previous statements claiming the U.S “grapples with racism and struggles to pursue racial justice and reconciliation.” ² It has also publicly supported traditional Christian views on abortion and marriage, stating that life starts at conception ³ and that marriage is properly recognized only between one man and one woman. ⁴

Background

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) was founded in 1942 as a coalition of evangelical leaders across the United States originally intended to focus on bridging traditional and progressive groups in the American Christian faith. In 1944, NEA started the War Relief Commission (called World Relief as of 2025). Although its own nonprofit, World Relief is owned and operated by NEA and is used as its development arm which generated over $160 million in revenue in 2022. ⁵

In 1956, NAE publicly denounced racial discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1978, it helped publish the New International Version of the New Testament. In 1993, NAE advocated for the passing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In 2004, the NAE published “For the Health of the Nation,” a text that advocated for evangelical Christians to engage in modern political and social landscapes. ⁶ In 2020, NAE hired a new president, board chair, and board vice chair for the purpose of “diversifying its leadership.” ⁷

Advocacy

Abortion

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) affirms that it is a pro-life organization while advocating for decreasing the number of abortions in the United States. It supports the Christian belief that life starts at conception and ends at natural death. ³ NAE previously showed public support for the Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act of 2024, specifically calling the bill pro-life and pro-family. ⁸

Marriage

The NAE has stated that marriage is a “God-ordained, covenant relationship between one man and one woman.” ⁴ It also advocates for expanding and strengthening biblical standards of marriage. NAE opposed the Supreme Court’s ruling to legalize same-sex marriage in the Obergefell v. Hodges case of 2015. In response, NAE stated that even though the legal ruling of marriage has changed, “the truth about marriage has not changed.”  ⁹ Although the NAE disagreed with the ruling, it’s statement also claimed that evangelicals should still be compassionate to those with differing views on marriage. ⁹

Immigration

NAE has previously advocated in favor of immigration and bringing refugees into the United States, claiming that it is biblically required to do so. NAE has also criticized the U.S. immigration process and has spoken out against instances of family separation resulting from the deportation of illegal migrants. It has also called for changes to immigration policy to make it easier for immigrants and refugees to enter the United States. ¹⁰

Racial Justice

The NAE has advocated on the topic of “racial justice” while previously claiming that institutional racism is prevalent in the United States. The group previously established the NAE Racial Justice & Reconciliation Collaborative as a meant to address alleged issues surrounding race. ^{11 2 12}

1. Transforming Social and Political Engagement.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/transforming-social-and-political-engagement/.
2. “Racial Justice & Reconciliation Collaborative.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/racial-justice-reconciliation-collaborative/.
3. “Abortion Archives.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/topics/abortion/.
4. “Marriage Archives.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/topics/marriage/.
5. World Relief Corporation O National, Form 990, 2022, Part I Line 12 Column B.
6. “For the Health of the Nation – A Call to Civic Responsibility.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/for-the-health-of-the-nation/.
7. “Our history.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/history/.
8. Carey, Galen. “Surprise, a Bipartisan and Pro-Life Bill Does Exist in 2024.” National Association of Evangelicals, February 12, 2024. https://www.nae.org/surprise-bipartisan-prolife-bill-does-exist-2024/.
9. “Supreme Court Redefines Marriage.” National Association of Evangelicals, June 26, 2015. https://www.nae.org/supreme-court-redefines-marriage/.
10.  “Immigration Archives.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/topics/immigration/.
11. ^[1] “Racial Justice & Reconciliation Archives.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/topics/racial-justice-reconciliation/.
12. “Pursuing Racial Justice and Reconciliation: For the Health of the Nation.” National Association of Evangelicals. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.nae.org/for-the-health-of-a-nation/pursuing-racial-justice-and-reconciliation/.