The Seven Mountains of Influence

In order to truly transform any nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these seven mountains of influence in society that shape human existence must be reached. The mountains are:

• The Mountain of Family (The foundation)
• The Mountain of Education (Building mindsets)
• The Mountain of Media (Influence, mind and control systems)
• The Mountain of Arts & Entertainment
• The Mountain of Politics and Government
• The Mountain of Religion
• The Mountain of Economy and Business
  

The concept of the seven mountains of influence was modified in 1975 by Bill Bright (founder, Campus Crusade) and Loren Cunningham (founder of Youth With a Mission (YWAM)). This, according to them was a properly developed, God-given, world-changing strategy with a mandate to bring Godly change to the nations by reaching its seven spheres, or mountains, of societal influence. Apostle Joshua Selman also preached a sermon as regards the seven mountains of influence. You can access Apostle Joshua Selman's sermon here.

That said, let's look properly into the Seven Mountains of Influence.

1. The Mountain of Family (The foundation)

In any functional society, the family is the “building block” of the community. Throughout the Bible, you will find familial examples that portray how we ought to live our lives today. God desires that men, women, and children within a family be united as one in His love. After all, He is the ultimate Father (Romans 8:14-17). 

The families of the United States have been under constant and prolonged attack. Today, the assailants are fatherlessness, divorce (50% rate in secular and Christian marriages), abuse, homosexual marriage, pornography, and other negative influences have brought great dysfunction to American life. God is calling fathers and mothers (both spiritual and biological) to bring order to the chaos that the enemy has unleashed against families in America. He also wants to bring healing to marriages and relationships within families in order to maintain a moral foundation for children in the future to stand upon.

2. The Mountain of Education (Building mindsets)

At one time the education system of America unapologetically incorporated the Bible, prayer to the God of the Bible, and biblical values in every aspect of school life. Not coincidentally, this system produced a people that produced the most powerful and prosperous nation the earth has ever seen. Now, the generations after are concerned with liberal ideologies, atheistic teaching and postmodern principles in public schools and in most universities (including many Christian institutions). They are simply being indoctrinated with false, biased and anti-biblical information. As such, a re-introduction of biblical truth and Bible-centric values is the key to renewal and restoration in any nation's failing educational system.

3. The Mountain of Government and Politics

Proverbs 14:34 states that, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Many times, as exemplified in the Old Testament, a nation’s moral standards are dependent on those exhibited by its leaders (or predominant political party). While each individual is responsible for his or her own sins; the fact remains that people are greatly influenced by those moral (or lack thereof) that popular leaders adopt.

The progressive liberal agenda, empowered by well-known men and women in the arts and entertainment industries, have made significant gains in the political arena over the past few decades. In fact, many liberal groups, such as the ACLU, seek to remove anything related to God or Christianity from the governmental and educational systems because of a misapplied interpretation of the phrase, “separation of church and state.” We must see a shift in this arena in order to preserve the Christian heritage that America was founded upon. The goal is to put in place righteous political leaders that will positively affect all aspects of government.

4. The Mountain of Media (Influence, mind and control systems)

The media mountain includes news sources such as radio, TV news stations, newspapers, Internet news and opinion (blog) sites and etc. The media has the potential to sway popular opinion on current issues based upon its reporting, which is not always truthful or accurate. Today, there’s a rise in Christian news services, however, to bring transformation to the mountain of media, Christians who are gifted for and called into this type of work must be willing to report righteously and truthfully in the secular marketplace.

Read: Is Watching Movies or TV a Sin?

5. The Mountain of Arts and Entertainment

In this mountain we find some of the most influential forces shaping our society. Music, filmmaking, television, social media, and the performing arts drive the cultural tastes, values and standards of a nation’s citizens, particularly its youth. With a heavy reliance on the strong appeal of sex, drugs and alcohol, the arts and entertainment industries wield significant influence. The body of Christ needs powerful, righteous men and women who are not afraid to take their God-given talent into the arts and entertainment arenas. People ready to further His purposes, while impacting those who are lost in darkness and would not otherwise be interested in any kind of Christian message in traditional forms.

6. The Mountain of Religion

Every society has some type of belief in a superior being or beings. In the east, religions tend to be polytheistic (many gods) or outright idolatrous (such as Hinduism and Buddhism). Although these religions are thousands of years old, they nonetheless continue to thrive today. In the west, Christianity and Catholicism are predominant, but postmodern views are increasingly being accepted and the concept of God is being rejected. This is especially true in Europe.

The Christian Church is described in the Greek language as the ecclesia. Literally translated, the word ecclesia means “governing body.” Although we don’t condone theocracies, this translation suggests that the Church should have great influence in all other spheres that make up a society. With a plethora of categorized religions around the world, it’s the Church’s responsibility to reach the lost with the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ, and expand the Kingdom in ministerial efforts, both nationally and internationally.

7. The Mountain of Economy and Business

The ability to literally create wealth through ingenuity, enterprise, creativity and effort and is a God-given gift and a universal impulse. The markets and economic systems that emerge whenever people are free to pursue buying and selling become the lifeblood of a nation. This includes anything from farms to small businesses to large corporations.

Of course this realm is prone to corruption through idolatry, greed and covetousness. In response, the Church must embrace its responsibility to train up those who are called into the marketplace to manage businesses and provide leadership with integrity and honesty. We believe it is the Lord’s will to make his people prosperous and that He desires for His Church to use its wealth to finance the work of Kingdom expansion. Simply put: Prosperity with a purpose.