Read the New York Times’ account Friday of Jeffress’ introduction of Perry at the summit and the pastor’s comments afterward about Mormonism. Romney did not directly respond at the summit to Jeffress’ remarks, other than to say that religious differences shouldn’t divide Republicans and that civility is needed in political discourse.

John Schmalzbauer is an associate professor of religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield. He is working on a book about the resurgence of religion on college campuses. He also is co-investigator for the ongoing National Study of Campus Ministries.

Read a Nov. 30, 2003, Boston Globe article about the rising profile of Christian evangelical groups at liberal colleges in the Northeast.

Read a June 12, 2012, Religion News Service story about the influence of Evangelical activists on an immigration reform plan.

In this June 12, 2012, interview, Focus on the Family’s Jim Daly tells Christianity Today why he joined a coalition of evangelical leaders supporting immigration reform when the organization has not taken a public stance on the issue in the past.

In June 2012, a broad coalition of evangelical leaders unveiled an Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform, which was seen as an important step in solidifying faith-based support for reform.

Written by John Danforth (Viking Adult, 2006). Danforth, a former Republican senator from Missouri and an ordained Episcopalian minister, speaks out against the conflation of political agendas with religious views and the religious right’s focus on wedge issues.

Written by Gregory A. Boyd (Zondervan, 2006). Boyd, a theologian and pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minn., discusses his worry over the growing alignment of Christianity and the right-wing ideology of the Republican Party.

Written by Randall Balmer (Basic Books, 2006). Balmer, an evangelical Christian, writes about what he believes has been the hijacking of the Christian faith on behalf of the Republican Party.