National Association of Evangelicals facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Association of Evangelicals

Founded	April 1942; 83 years ago (1942-04)
Type	Evangelical organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Area served	North America
Membership	39 Christian denominations (45,000 churches)
Affiliations	World Evangelical Alliance

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is a large group of Evangelical Christian churches, schools, and organizations in the United States. It is a member of the World Evangelical Alliance, which connects similar groups around the globe.

The NAE brings together over 45,000 local churches from about 40 different Christian denominations. A denomination is a specific branch of the Christian church, like Baptists or Methodists. The main goal of the NAE is to honor God by connecting and representing Evangelicals across the country.

The organization helps its members by providing resources and encouraging them to work together. It also speaks on behalf of its members to government leaders in Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Congress and the White House. The NAE is currently led by its president, Walter Kim.

History of the NAE

The National Association of Evangelicals was started in 1942. A group of 147 church leaders met in St. Louis, Missouri, to create an organization that would bring different Evangelical groups together. Before this, many groups felt isolated from each other.

Some of the early leaders included Harold Ockenga, Will Houghton, and J. Elwin Wright. They wanted to create a space for "United Action Among Evangelicals." Harold Ockenga became the very first president of the NAE.

By the 1950s, the NAE had an office in Washington, D.C. It became known as an organization that could help get things done. For the first time, President Dwight D. Eisenhower invited NAE leaders to the White House, which was a great honor.

Over the years, several U.S. presidents have spoken at NAE events. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan gave a famous speech at their conference. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush also addressed the group. In 2004, President George W. Bush spoke to the NAE convention through a satellite video link.

What the NAE Does

The NAE has started several important projects and groups to help people and spread its message. These are called initiatives.

Helping People in Need

In 1944, during World War II, the NAE created the War Relief Commission. It sent food and clothing to people in Europe who were suffering because of the war.

After the war, this group expanded its work to help people all over the world. It was renamed World Relief. Today, World Relief is the NAE's humanitarian arm. It helps victims of poverty, hunger, and disasters. The group focuses on things like health care, farming, and helping refugees.

Supporting Chaplains

Also in 1944, the NAE created the Chaplains Commission. A chaplain is a religious leader who works in places like the military, hospitals, or prisons.

The commission supports and approves chaplains who serve in the U.S. military and other institutions. It works to make sure that military members can freely practice their faith.

Creating a New Bible Version

In the 1950s, many Evangelicals wanted a new, easy-to-read English translation of the Bible. The NAE started a committee in 1957 to work on this project.

This effort led to the creation of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. The first copies were published in 1978. The NIV has become one of the most popular Bible translations in the world.

Working for a Better Nation

In 2004, the NAE created a guide called "For the Health of the Nation." This document outlines how Evangelicals can apply their faith to help solve problems in society.

It covers seven main areas, including:

• Protecting religious freedom
• Supporting families and children
• Caring for the poor
• Promoting human rights and racial justice
• Working for peace
• Caring for the environment

The NAE updated this guide in 2018 to address modern issues like immigration and racial injustice.

Who Are the Members?

As of 2024, many different Protestant denominations are members of the NAE. Many individual churches, schools, and Christian organizations are also members.