Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In today’s episode, Doris sits down with her friend and powerhouse leader Bunni Pounds—founder and president of Christians Engaged, senior vice president at Family Policy Alliance, and author of Jesus in Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession. Together, they dive into Bunni Pounds’s incredible journey of faith, leadership, and calling, including her bold vision for “America Reads the Bible”—an unprecedented, nation-wide Bible reading event set for 2026 at the Museum of the Bible. Bunni Pounds opens up about what it takes to step out in obedience, the importance of unity in the body of Christ, and how each of us can take up our unique, “fierce” calling.

Whether you’re interested in mobilizing your community, deepening your understanding of Scripture, or simply seeking to walk more intimately with Jesus, this episode is packed with encouragement and inspiration. Plus, get a sneak peek into Bunni Pounds’s upcoming book, Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah. Get ready to be challenged, uplifted, and reminded that God uses those who are willing to say “yes”—no matter how big the task. Let’s jump in!

Here’s what you’ll find in this inspiring conversation:

✨ America Reads the Bible: Vision and Execution

Unifying multiple denominations and organizations

Origin and inspiration of the event

Connection to the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah

The spiritual and cultural importance of public scripture reading

Objectives of the event

National Bible reading from Genesis to Revelation

Involvement of diverse national leaders and influencers

🌱 Organizing a Large-Scale National Bible Reading

Inclusion of art installations and interactive experiences at the Museum of the Bible

Logistical challenges and planning

Scheduling, time management, and using AI for organizing the reading

Securing participation across ministries, worship leaders, and universities

Outreach: hundreds of Zoom meetings, onboarding over 100 ministries

Enhancing the experience

Use of worship leaders and filling event gaps with prayer and worship

🤝The Event’s Broader Impact & Community Involvement

Reinvigorating biblical literacy and unity within the Christian community

Invitation for public participation

Encouraging families, churches, and individuals to attend or follow the live stream

Creative ideas for involvement: hosting the stream in churches, businesses, and homes

Vision for generational and spiritual impact

The lasting significance of the event for America’s 250th anniversary

✍️Spiritual Lessons from Ezra, Nehemiah, and Personal Calling

Overcoming complacency and taking radical, faithful action

Learning from biblical leaders

Leadership principles from Nehemiah

The need for a modern-day “Ezra moment” in America

Encouragement to listeners

Recognizing and stepping into one’s calling

🎨 Overcoming Obstacles and Obedience in Leadership

Practical advice on saying “yes” to God and carrying vision forward

The process and perseverance required in large vision projects

Stories of resistance, skepticism, and eventual breakthroughs

🎧 Plus a whole lot more encouragement!

Let us know what touched your heart most—we’d love to hear from you!

We’re talking about this amazing event, book, and More!

Connect with Bunni!

You can connect with Bunni at bunni@christiansengaged.org
Website: christiansengaged.org and check out americareadsthebible.com for more info on this epic event!

Bunni Pounds is the Founder and President of Christians Engaged as well as a Senior Vice President for Family Policy
Alliance and Family Policy Alliance Foundation – founded by Dr. James Dobson. She is the author of Jesus and Politics:
One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession and the upcoming book releasing in 2026 – Stepping Up to
Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah.

As a political consultant by profession – Bunni spent over sixteen years running the campaigns of Members of
Congress. She started her career as the campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling then launched her
own firm, Bunni Pounds & Associates building a top Texas consulting firm with nine associates and thirty-one clients –
including Sean Duffy, Lee Zeldin, and Michael Cloud.

She then ran for Congress herself in 2018 becoming the only woman to make the Republican Runoff Ballot in Texas
out of 6 open seats. It was after this race that God called her to start mobilizing the Church.
Bunni’s experience doesn’t just stop at politics. She has been bi-vocational and active in Christian ministry since she
was 16. Bunni is a Bible teacher and motivational speaker who church-planted with her husband Tim for over 10 years.
Speaking to the church and the culture, she is a regular contributor to The Christian Post, Washington Times, Charisma
News and has also been published in the Wall Street Journal among others.

She has a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree in Political Science from Dallas Baptist University and an associate
degree in theology from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas.
Married Tim Pounds since 1996, they have 2 young adult sons, Israel and Ben, two daughters-in-law, and three
precious grandchildren.

Bunni loves to motivate people to pray, vote, and engage their hearts to impact America and the world. She believes
that people are called to walk in intimacy with Jesus and be salt and light to a dying world.

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

America Reads the Bible: Igniting a Nation Through Scripture with Bunni Pounds