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NEW YORK (AP) - Prominent evangelical leaders are making a new push to persuade Christians and lawmakers they should support immigration reform.

The coalition includes the National Association of Evangelicals, the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor Bill Hybels of the influential Willow Creek Community Church and writer Max Lucado. The "I Was a Stranger' campaign asks Christians to spend 40 days studying Scripture focused on the Matthew 25 exhortation to clothe and feed the stranger.

Evangelical leaders have actively supported immigration reform in recent years as the number of immigrants has increased in their churches. However, their church members have been slower to take up the issue.

Religious leaders said Monday they're not endorsing specific legislation right now, but are seeking a just balance of national security with policies that keep immigrant families together.