Contributing to the movement to separate church and state in revolutionary Virginia, John Leland formed a unique discourse that utiltized the similarities inherent in evangelical religion and republican ideology. Building upon the language of his New England brethren, which stressed the inconsistencies of republican rhetoric and religious persecution, Leland merged this language with the evangelical movement in Virginia. Through his actions in Virginia, Leland became an important Baptist leader and political ally. He joined the Baptist associations fighting to disestablish religion in that state and became immersed in the politics affecting the region. This involvement included influencing his congregations at the polls and affecting the elections of prominent constitutional figures such as James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.