Pete Hegseth's CREC Ties Shape His Religious Rhetoric as Defense Secretary

Hegseth's conservative evangelical beliefs and membership in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches have drawn scrutiny.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:48am

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a military vehicle or weapon in motion, with overlapping geometric shapes in shades of grey, blue, and green, conveying a sense of power and conflict without literal representation.Hegseth's religious rhetoric reflects the CREC's theocratic vision, blurring the line between faith and national defense.Moscow Today

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's conservative evangelical religious beliefs and membership in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) have drawn attention, with his use of religious language and prayers raising questions about how his faith influences his role. The CREC, founded by pastor Doug Wilson, promotes a theocratic vision and opposition to church-state separation, which aligns with Hegseth's rhetoric justifying military interventions with religious rhetoric.

Why it matters

Hegseth's religious beliefs and affiliations, particularly with the CREC, are relevant given his position as Defense Secretary and his use of religious language to frame military actions. This raises concerns about the separation of church and state and the potential influence of Hegseth's conservative evangelical views on national security policy.

The details

The CREC, a network of over 160 churches globally, has been influenced by the Christian Reconstructionism movement, which calls for the implementation of biblical law and a theocratic state. CREC leaders, like Doug Wilson, oppose religious pluralism and believe only Christians should hold political office. Hegseth has spoken approvingly of Wilson and invited him to give a prayer service at the Pentagon. Hegseth's rhetoric, including references to the Crusades and invoking God's will, aligns with the CREC's theocratic beliefs.

  • In February 2026, Hegseth invited CREC leader Doug Wilson to give a prayer service at the Pentagon.
  • On March 5, 2026, Hegseth justified military interventions in South America and the Caribbean by invoking a shared Christian identity.
  • On March 25, 2026, during the war in Iran, Hegseth prayed for 'overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.'

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense, who is a member of the conservative evangelical Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC).

Doug Wilson

The pastor who founded Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and is the most influential voice in the CREC network of churches.

Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)

A network of over 160 churches globally that has been influenced by the Christian Reconstructionism movement, promoting a theocratic vision and opposition to church-state separation.

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What they’re saying

“If you bear the name of Jesus Christ, there is no armor greater than that. Not only so, but all the devil's R&D teams have not come up with armor-piercing anything.”

— Doug Wilson, CREC Leader

“We're fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense

What’s next

As long as Hegseth remains the secretary of defense, his affiliation with the CREC and religious language will likely continue to provide insight into how military conflicts are managed at home and abroad.

The takeaway

Hegseth's conservative evangelical beliefs and ties to the CREC, which promotes a theocratic vision, raise concerns about the separation of church and state and the potential influence of his religious views on national security policy.