Vance #Boelter, who shot Democratic Minnesota state representative Melissa #Hortman and her husband, Mark #Hortman, on June 14, 2025,
studied at "Christ for the Nations Institute" in Dallas.
The group is a Bible school linked to the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR.
The NAR is a loosely organized but influential charismatic Christian movement that shares similarities with Pentecostalism -- especially in its belief that God actively communicates with believers through the Holy Spirit.
Unlike traditional Pentecostalism, however, the organization emphasizes modern-day apostles and prophets as
💥authoritative leaders tasked with transforming society and ushering in God’s kingdom on Earth.
Prayer, prophecy and worship are defined not only as acts of devotion but as strategic tools for advancing believers’ vision of government and society.
After the shooting, the "Christ for the Nations Institute" issued a statement “unequivocally” denouncing “any and all forms of violence and extremism.”
It stated: “Our organization’s mission is to educate and equip students to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through compassion, love, prayer, service, worship, and value for human life.”
But the shooting has drawn attention to the school and the larger Christian movement it belongs to.
One of the most important aspects of NAR teachings today is what is called
“the Seven Mountain Mandate.”
🔥The Seven Mountain Mandate calls on Christians to gain influence, or “take dominion,” over seven key areas of culture:
religion, family, education, government, media, business and the arts.
The Seven Mountains concept was originally proposed in 1975
by evangelical leader Bill #Bright,
the founder of "Campus Crusade for Christ".
Now known as “Cru,” the "Campus Crusade for Christ" was founded as a global ministry in 1951 to promote Christian evangelism,
especially on college campuses.
United by a shared vision to influence society through Christian values,
Bright partnered with Loren #Cunningham, the founder of "Youth With A Mission",
a major international missionary training and outreach organization,
in the 1970s.
The Seven Mountains Mandate was popularized by theologian Francis #Schaeffer,
who linked it to a larger critique of secularism and liberal culture. Over time, it evolved.
C. Peter #Wagner, a former seminary professor who helped organize and name the New Apostolic Reformation,
is often regarded as the theological architect of the group.
He developed it into a call for dominion.
In his 2008 book “Dominion! How Kingdom Action Can Change the World,”
he urged Christians to take authoritative control of cultural institutions.
For Wagner, “dominion theology” – the idea that Christians should have control over all aspects of society – was a call to spiritual warfare, so that God’s kingdom would be “manifested here on earth as it is in heaven.”
