INTERVIEW
romantic naive thought, we’re seeing that on immigration, we saw it on civil rights, we saw
outside of it rather than individuals within it. I do know politicians who will do what
“ I’ve been arrested outside and I’ve had meetings inside the White House.” it when Wilberforce abolished the slave trade, we see that personal decisions of people of faith can literally change the world.”
A SENSE OF CALLING Wallis might have remarkable access into Washington politics, but it is from the outside that he sees hope for change: “What impacts politics are social movements from NOV/DEC 2013
is right even if it costs them the next election. I do know some of these. But I don’t know more than one hand count.” And has he thought of running for political office? “It’s probably more of a temptation than a vocation. People have asked me and I have considered that, but I think that my vocation is leading movements from outside. I’ve been arrested outside and I’ve had
meetings inside the White House. The trick is to have the message the same in both places.” Wallis challenges those who run for election to have the right motivation: “I would always ask them why? Just to be an office holder, or because you want to change something? What do you want to change, where do your gifts allow you to do that best, what’s the most strategic place for you to be? “For me it’s about what are we changing? Not how am I fitting in. The world always needs changing, and do I do that as an activist, as a lawmaker, as a writer, as a marcher, as a service provider, as a nurse, a doctor, a teacher.” Turn to page 33 for a review of On God’s Side IDEA MAGAZINE / 17