Operation Reconquista is a movement among Generation Z conservative mainline Protestants across the country. The mission of this movement is to reclaim mainline institutions that have been overrun by liberalism. Supporters of the movement write, “We are fighting to restore our churches to the true faith and revive them.”
The movement asserts that while a majority of mainline Protestant churches (PCUSA, UMC, ELCA, TEC, UCC, RCA, ABCUSA) are theologically liberal, and some are so progressive that they deny the divinity of Christ and other core teachings of the faith, there are still a minority of strong Bible-believing churches that remain. The strategy is thus to join and strengthen this minority to combat liberalism in the church. Because liberal churches tend to die out, the conservative minority will eventually become the majority, and the once-great institutions that helped build the U.S. will be restored.
Why Will Liberal Churches Die?
Patrick Deneen, in Why Liberalism Fails, writes that “the roots of liberalism lay in efforts to overturn a variety of anthropological assumptions and social norms that had come to be believed as sources of pathology—namely, fonts of conflict as well as obstacles to individual liberty.”
One example of this is the church itself. Liberalism, at its core, seeks to liberate individuals from institutions and traditions that are perceived as restrictive. Within this framework, religion may be viewed as a system that requires submission and worship, which liberal thought may interpret as limiting individual autonomy.
Liberalism has increasingly portrayed organized religion, particularly Christianity, as a force that constrains individual freedom, thereby contributing to its marginalization in society. Because of this, theologically liberal churches are forced to undermine traditional understandings of what it means to be a church. If their interpretation of Christianity requires abandoning orthodox doctrine, these churches will gradually reflect a more individualistic worldview rather than functioning as a unified body of believers working together under Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 12.
Supporters of Operation Reconquista argue that this shift has practical consequences. When young families search for a church home, or when college-aged converts consider attending church for the first time, they may question the purpose of joining an institution that appears to offer values and beliefs similar to those already present in secular culture. Instead, many may be drawn to churches that present enduring spiritual promises and teachings that challenge prevailing cultural norms.
For this reason, proponents of the Reconquista movement believe liberal churches within their denominations will eventually decline, creating the opportunity for the conservative minority that has remained committed to traditional doctrine to reclaim their denomination.
Why Does This Matter?
A common objection to the movement from conservative Protestants is the question: “Why should we invest effort into reclaiming institutions that have already drifted away?” Would it not make more practical sense to simply join an established conservative, Bible-believing denomination, such as the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), using the Presbyterian tradition as an example?
Richard Ackerman, better known by his YouTube handle Redeemed Zoomer, is the popularizer and intellectual backbone of the movement. Through his content, he argues extensively why mainline Protestant denominations in America still hold significant importance.
He presents three primary arguments. First, almost all of the largest and most beautiful churches in American towns historically belong to mainline Protestant denominations. Second, these denominations possess substantial cultural capital, shaped by their historical influence on American education, politics, and social institutions. Third, he argues that schism within the church is sinful and should only be pursued as a last resort after reform efforts have been exhausted.
Ackerman contends that beauty actually matters and that the evangelical model of either (A) buying a strip mall for a church or (B) renting space in a middle school should both be rejected. There are beautiful historic churches on First and Main Street in nearly every town, and Ackerman would argue that these should not be abandoned.
He would also point to the historic social capital that these denominations hold in the United States. Almost all of the Ivy League schools were founded by mainline Protestant churches. Many hospitals and NGOs were founded by these denominations as well, and they possess much larger financial backing and crucial infrastructure laid out throughout the country. Consider the pro-LGBT female pastor who notably challenged President Trump during the post-inauguration prayer service. That event took place in a historic mainline Episcopal church in Washington. Ackerman would point to examples like this to show why he believes it is necessary to reclaim the mainline denominations.
And finally, Ackerman argues that schism is inherently sinful. While he acknowledges the presence of heresy within his denomination of the PCUSA, he maintains that such error does not justify separating to form a new ecclesial body. He points to the example of the prophets, who did not abandon the Temple, despite the worship of false Gods, to establish parallel religious institutions. Instead, they remained within Israel’s religious structures and called their people to repentance and reformation.
Ackerman also appeals to the New Testament, noting that Jesus instructs his disciples to respect the authority of the Pharisees because they sit in the seat of Moses, even when they misuse that authority, ultimately rejecting Jesus himself. For Ackerman, voluntary schism is therefore never acceptable. Separation from a religious institution is permissible only when believers are forcibly expelled. He cites the stoning of Stephen—symbolizing exclusion from the Second Temple community—and the excommunication of the Protestant Reformers from the Catholic Church as examples of legitimate separation initiated by institutional rejection rather than voluntary departure.
Reconquista for Hokies
For Virginia Tech Protestant students who find this call to action inspiring, or for those who hold convictions similar to Ackerman’s, there are several churches available on the “Reconquista Map.” In Blacksburg itself, students can attend Blacksburg United Methodist Church on Church Street, a beautiful historic congregation within the United Methodist Church, one of the major mainline Methodist denominations in the United States.
Lutheran students may consider traveling to Salem to attend College Lutheran Church, while Presbyterian students could worship at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. The map also includes additional options representing other denominations.
As Generation Z shows renewed interest in Christianity, the Reconquista presents a distinctive mission and challenge for those seeking to make a lasting, generational impact within their communities and to address what supporters view as the cultural and institutional consequences of modern liberalism.
Parker Goodrich is the founder and editor-in-chief of Hokie Stone Press and a senior studying National Security and Foreign Affairs with a minor in Chinese Studies. Outside the classroom, he enjoys soccer, theology, and disc golf.