People in the news

Douglas Evans Coe

Leader, The Fellowship

Why He Matters

Coe was called the "stealth Billy Graham" in a 2005 Time magazine piece that named him one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in the U.S.

Coe's political modus operandi is quiet but powerful . As a leader of the secretive group known as "The Fellowship," Coe organizes the annual National Prayer Breakfast, which draws top U.S. and foreign officials, and owns a townhouse on Capitol Hill that is or has been home to several devout lawmakers. Current or former residents are Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who's embroiled in controversy regarding his an affair with a former aide, and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), a former House Member who also had an affair outside of his marriage. He's also prayed with former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

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Additional Resources

  1. Lerer, Lisa and McGarr, Kathryn, The Politico, "Republican Sex Scandal Meets Spirituality on C Street," July 20, 2009
  2. Getter, Lisa, The Los Angeles Times, "Showing Faith in Discretion," Sept. 27, 2002
  3. Time.com, "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America," 2005
  4. Sharlet, Jeff, Harper's magazine, "Jesus plus nothing: Undercover among America's secret theocrats," March 2003
  5. Mitchell, Andrea and Popkin, John, MSNBC.com, "NBC News Exclusive: Political ties to a secretive religious group," April 3, 2008