Christian nationalists are working to create a community in rural Tennessee modeled after their interpretation of pre-civil rights era values. Evangelical writers and podcasters Pastor Andrew Isker and C. Jay Engel have shared plans to attract like-minded individuals to Jackson County through their show *Contra Mundum*.
Engel emphasized the need for “Christian nationalism in one state,” while Isker expressed commitment to the project, citing dissatisfaction with Democratic policies in states like Minnesota and California. The pair envision a town led by leaders aligned with their Christian ideals.
Critics, like Pastor Kevin Riggs of Franklin Community Church, argue that the movement promotes white nationalism and enforces a narrow version of Christianity on others, regardless of their beliefs.
A 2023 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 30% of Americans either support or sympathize with Christian nationalism. Support is higher in Republican states like Tennessee, where 45% of residents back the movement, and 61% voted for Donald Trump in 2020.