Evangelicals for Social Action (ESA) is an association of Christians seeking to promote Christian engagement, analysis and understanding of major social, cultural and public policy issues. ESA's board of directors includes many prominent leaders of moderate and progressive evangelicalism.  ESA emphasizes both the transformation of human lives through personal faith and also the importance of a commitment to social and economic justice as an outgrowth of Christian faith.

ESA began with the "Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern," written at a Thanksgiving gathering of forty evangelical leaders that the Chicago Sun-Times described as the most significant church-related event of 1973.  ESA has become a national membership organization, publishes a national magazine (PRISM) and a weekly ePistle electronic communique, and leads a national network (Word & Deed Network) helping local churches combine evangelism and social action.

ESA has promoted international economic sanctions against apartheid, supported a multilateral rather than unilateral U.S. foreign policy, and endorsed many efforts to reduce poverty, promote racial justice and care for creation.

The writings of ESA founder and president, Ron Sider -- especially Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, The Scandal of Evangelical Politics, and The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience -- have articulated ESA's vision.

A Quick Look at ESA in 2009

Take a look at an overview of many of the issues that were addressed by ESA and accomplishments noted during this past year.

• Read the Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern