While the IRS move applies across the country, Texas — with more than 200 megachurches — will be the epicenter for pastors and congregations to test out their new influence, one expert said.

Megachurches routinely achieve thousands of attendees each week, and some have the means to livestream services online or by broadcasting, which could become a "powerful tool for promoting political candidates," according to David Brockman, a nonresident scholar at Rice University.

Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline recently stood before a gathering of conservative activists just outside Fort Worth, recapping legislative wins and previewing what’s next at the Capitol. On this day, however,