In this powerful episode of the 1 Hope 4 America Podcast, Tom Crandall sits down with Che Ahn—apostolic leader, author, and pastor—to talk about God’s heart for America in this pivotal hour. Together they unpack the call to revival, the need for cultural and governmental reform, and what it looks like to rebuild a nation on Kingdom foundations. If you’re hungry to see America transformed, strengthened, and awakened to her God-given destiny, this conversation will stir your faith and ignite fresh hope. 1Hope4America https://www.1hope4america.com/ Tom Crandall https://www.tomcrandall.com/ Ché Ahn https://che4ca.com/
Watch the interview here. Transcript below.
(Clean Edited Q&A Transcript)
How did God lead you into running for Governor of California in the 2026 California Governor Election?
Tom Crandall:
Papa Che, we’re honored to have you on the One Hope for America Podcast. You’ve just announced you’re running for Governor of California. This is something the Lord spoke to you about. When did you realize He had been preparing you for this?
Pastor Che Ahn:
Honestly, I didn’t know it at first. But my wife pointed out, “Look how God has led us step by step.” My destiny has always been the Great Commission—I lead a network of churches in 73 nations. But I believe running for governor will open new doors to reach what Scripture calls “kings.” Transformation happens among leaders and influencers, and I believe God is opening these doors right now.
How has your global ministry helped prepare you for political leadership in California?
Tom:
You recently shared a powerful story from Nepal. Can you tell that again?
Pastor Che:
After announcing my run for Governor, I had to travel to Nepal to oversee our churches. Because of the announcement, they organized a special business luncheon with a Member of Parliament—a Buddhist man who was the keynote speaker. After he spoke, I shared my testimony and preached the gospel.
Many prayed to receive Jesus—including the Member of Parliament himself. His wife had prayed for him for 25 years. Since then, I’ve been discipling him by WhatsApp. God gave me a glimpse of what it looks like to bring transformation to leaders.
Can you share your family’s immigration story and how it shaped your understanding of freedom and government?
Tom:
Your personal story begins before you were born—missionaries reached your great-grandmother in North Korea. Can you share how Christianity came to your family?
Pastor Che:
In the late 1800s, American missionaries were sent to Korea—there was no North or South then. The capital was Pyongyang. Koreans already believed in one God, Hanim, which opened the door for the gospel. Revival swept Korea, especially the famous Pyongyang Revival of 1907, which lasted 45 years.
My father was a Baptist pastor in Pyongyang. Before the Korean War, Stalin’s puppet dictator Kim Il-Sung arrested all pastors. My father was imprisoned in his early 20s for preaching the gospel. After the war, he escaped South, immigrated legally to the U.S., and eventually brought us over.
I arrived at age five. That immigrant experience shaped everything—my love for America, my understanding of freedom, and my deep concern about Marxism and communism rising again in California.
Why do you warn Californians about socialism, Marxism, and government overreach?
Tom:
You’re a historian. How does what happened in North Korea and other communist nations relate to what you see happening in California today?
Pastor Che:
Communism has killed 100 million of its own people. Stalin, Mao, the Kim regime, Pol Pot—every communist government removes God, destroys human dignity, and imposes total control.
When the government decides what’s true, what you can say, how you must live, or what your kids are taught—that’s Marxism. We saw a taste of that in California during the COVID lockdowns. Governor Newsom decided arbitrarily who could stay open, put pastors in jail, violated parental rights, and attacked religious freedom.
Marxism sounds compassionate on paper, but it always leads to control, lies, and oppression. California is trending there now—unless we change course.
Why should everyday Californians be paying attention to political and spiritual deception?
Tom:
The average Californian doesn’t think politically like leaders do. Why should they wake up to what’s happening?
Pastor Che:
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” When people don’t know their God-given rights, they surrender them. Many Christians think “stay in your lane” and avoid government entirely. But that’s not biblical.
Matthew 24:14 commands us to preach the gospel of the kingdom—which includes government, education, family, business, and every sphere. Jesus is Lord of all. If we remove the salt and light from government, what’s left except darkness?
California’s crisis is the result of uninformed voters electing unrighteous leaders. We must awaken the church.
Why should pastors and Christians engage in politics? Isn’t it “too political”?
Tom:
Many people push back and say, “Don’t be political.” How do you respond?
Pastor Che:
Taking a stand for righteousness isn’t political—it’s biblical. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves. Light exposes darkness. Government affects everything—schools, taxes, public safety, electricity, healthcare, the roads we drive on.
Isaiah 9 says, “The government shall be upon His shoulders”—and we are His body. That means the church has a responsibility to steward government with righteousness and justice.
Not engaging is actually disobedience.
What is the most hopeful sign you see for America and California right now?
Tom:
A Gen X listener asked: What gives you the most hope for America?
Pastor Che:
Leadership at the top matters. When President Trump declared at the 2025 inauguration, “There are only two genders,” it restored common sense that had been lost under Biden. For years California enforced 84 different gender options. That confusion destroyed children.
When national leadership aligns with truth, blessing comes.
I also believe God is moving powerfully in California again. From Azusa Street to the Jesus People Movement to the revival in Redding—California has always been a revival state. I believe revival and righteous reformation are coming again, beginning with government.
How do you avoid the “leaven of Herod”—corruption in politics?
Tom:
A Gen Z listener asked: How do you stay pure in politics and avoid corruption?
Pastor Che:
Politics without God is corrupt. People will try to buy you, bribe you, and manipulate you. I cannot be bought. I’ve walked with the Lord 52 years. I built my own business and donate back my entire pastoral salary.
You avoid corruption by having the fear of the Lord and refusing to compromise biblical principles.
How do you respond to students who believe Israel “controls U.S. politics”?
Tom:
Many college students are hearing anti-Israel rhetoric. What’s your response?
Pastor Che:
God said in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless Israel.” That hasn’t changed.
Anti-Semitism is demonic. It’s rooted in Marxism and radical Islam. In California, professors who promote anti-Israel activism go unpunished.
As governor, I will enforce Title VI anti-discrimination laws immediately. Anti-Semitism on campus will not be tolerated. Period.
How will you make California schools safe again?
Tom:
The Alpha Generation asked: “What will you do to make kids feel safe at school?”
Pastor Che:
Common sense must return. Guns are not the problem—broken hearts are. We need:
- Qualified, cleared, trained teachers or security personnel armed on campus
A visible deterrent stops school shooters. - Serious mental-health treatment—not just housing people on the streets
We need mental hospitals, not tents. - Faith-based rehabilitation partnerships
Programs like Teen Challenge have 80% long-term success rates because they address the root cause: sin and brokenness.
Safety begins with righteousness, accountability, and truth.
How do we restore peace in California homes, schools, churches, and cities?
Tom:
How do we get peace back in California?
Papa Che:
Romans 14:17 says the kingdom is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Peace flows from righteousness—righteous leaders, righteous laws, and righteous lives.
When people walk in the Spirit, reconcile, forgive, take responsibility, and stop blaming, peace flows.
California won’t see peace until we restore righteous leadership.
Gen Z is facing extreme economic stress. How will you address cost of living and affordability in California?
Tom:
Gen Z is asking: What will you do to fix the cost of living crisis?
Pastor Che:
The top issue is affordability. Here’s the plan:
1. Audit wasteful spending
$100 billion has been allocated for a bullet train with zero track built. That money must be accounted for.
2. Increase energy production
California imports 60% of its petroleum. We have enough in Kern County alone to power the entire state. Opening production will lower gas prices, which lowers food prices.
3. Lower taxes
We have the highest taxes and highest poverty rate (35%). Lower taxes = more economic freedom.
4. Build housing by pausing environmental overreach (CEQA)
We need 500,000 homes a year but only build about 70–80k. CEQA is blocking development. I will pause CEQA restrictions and incentivize construction.
5. Stop driving businesses out of California
In-N-Out left. SpaceX left. Thousands of small businesses left. I will remove excessive regulations and restore a pro-business economy.
How will you fix California’s homelessness crisis and public safety collapse?
Tom:
California homelessness and crime are major concerns. How will you address them?
Pastor Che:
The homeless crisis is rooted in addiction and mental illness. Spending billions on housing alone doesn’t work.
We need:
- Mandatory treatment options
- Faith-based rehabilitation partnerships
- Job training and accountability
- Reopening prisons Newsom closed
- Enforcing Prop 36 (drug and theft penalties)
- Ending sanctuary policies for criminals
Righteousness and justice must be restored.
What is your plan for legal vs. illegal immigration in California?
Tom:
Your father immigrated legally. What’s your view on immigration today?
Pastor Che:
We must have compassion and justice.
I propose a self-deport and fast-track legal reentry program:
- If an undocumented individual has no criminal record,
- Has not been on government assistance,
- Has been working productively,
Then:
→ They can self-deport to the nearest legal checkpoint,
→ Complete required paperwork with support from churches/nonprofits,
→ And I will issue an executive order to fast-track legal reentry.
Then:
- A 5-year renewable work visa
- Annual background checks
- Eligibility for citizenship after 5 clean years
This is compassion with accountability—not chaos.
What would you say to Christians who believe the church should not be involved in government or politics?
Tom:
Some believers think the church should stay out of politics. What would you say?
Pastor Che:
They don’t understand the Bible. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His kingdom covers every sphere—government, business, education, media, arts.
Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s.”
We are called to influence every area, not retreat. The church must re-engage for righteousness to prevail.
How can people support your campaign for Governor of California?
Tom:
What do you need from believers and voters?
Pastor Che:
Three things:
1. Pray for revival in California.
Everything begins in prayer.
2. Use your social media to share my campaign.
Instagram, Facebook, X, podcasts—spread the message.
3. Donate to the campaign.
Reaching 40 million people requires TV ads, digital ads, and professional media.
People can give at: che4ca.com
If someone wants to invite me to their podcast or media outlet, they can use the contact form on the website.
Closing Thoughts
Tom:
People around the world, even in Switzerland, are watching California. What happens here impacts the nation. What you’re doing matters globally.
Pastor Che:
Thank you, Tom. That means a lot. I appreciate your support and prayers. God bless you.