Some national evangelical leaders have announced a new effort to persuade conservative Christians and lawmakers they should support federal immigration reform.

The effort is called “I Was a Stranger.” The campaign asks churches to spend 40 days studying scripture related to immigration. Organizers hope to create a groundswell of support for changes that balance national security with keeping immigrant families together.

The coalition includes the National Association of Evangelicals, which represents nearly forty denominations; the public policy arm of the 16 million member Southern Baptist Convention; and Esperanza, the Latino Evangelical Economic Development Group.

Evangelical leaders said they are not backing any specific proposal right now. President Barack Obama has said immigration reform will be one of his top priorities in his second term.