People stomped their feet, sang and clapped their hands. They reached their arms to the ceiling, tears streaming down their faces. The rows of seats gave the appearance of a fervent church congregation. But it wasn't a church. It was the Ohio Statehouse. This was the scene at Prayer at the Statehouse, hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue, in August. The nonprofit began as a little-known group of anti-pornography crusaders in Cincinnati over 40 years ago. Now, it is Ohio's largest Christian policy group with headquarters directly across from the Statehouse. Over the past decade, CCV has lobbied on more than 300 bills and created a network of religious schools and churches. Since 2020, its revenue has quadrupled, raising more than $4 million last year. Voters and lawmakers who support CCV's mission see the organization as "advocating for what is right" in Ohio. Opponents say the group's growing leverage is "dangerous" and blurs the lines between church and state. The Center for...