West Cook News

Calvin Lindstrom, Pastor for the Church of Christian Liberty, emphasized the importance of Christian discipleship in raising children in faith and remaining vigilant about political developments. He made this statement on the Prairie State Wire Podcast.

"We have orders from him," said Lindstrom, Pastor School Administrator. "We have to look and ask what does it mean to act and live as a Christian? We need God's word, as I say, training our children and then looking to be aware of what's going on politically."

Illinois has increasingly linked faith-based education with civic participation, particularly through civics curriculum initiatives. According to the National Association of State Boards of Education, Illinois is recognized as a model for integrating civics learning across subjects to prepare students for "informed, active citizenship." This approach has sparked discussions in both public and private religious schools regarding their civic roles.

Faith-based enrollment in Illinois remains significant, especially within Catholic schools. The Archdiocese of Chicago reports that Catholic school enrollment for 2023–24 reached approximately 63,000 students, divided between 43,358 elementary and 19,702 secondary students. Pew Research further notes that about one-third of U.S. adults attend services monthly, linking faith practice with studies on civic engagement.

Religious identity continues to shape civic and political participation across the United States. Pew Research indicates that white evangelical Protestants predominantly support the Republican Party, while religiously unaffiliated voters tend to lean Democratic. These contrasting patterns influence how communities of faith engage in policymaking both in Illinois and nationwide.

Lindstrom also serves as Pastor & Administrator of Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, Illinois. According to Christian Liberty Academy, he holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois and a Master of Divinity from Whitefield Theological Seminary, combining pastoral leadership with Christian education administration.