board candidates backed by conservative christian activists in three local districts, grapevine colleyvillessed sweeping policies on gender and sexuality, race, gender and sexuality, the bathroom use trans students, and removing hundreds of books. parents weighing in. >> teachers shouldn't be forced to use your made-up fantasy pronouns. >> clouding their mind with these ideas of gender confusion >> reporter: but students at all three districts told us they now worry the church is creeping into the state and their schools. how have you seen religion influence your schools >> it's frustrating, strange, and hypocritical to see the "in god we trust" signs being put upour library shelv everywhere, while at the same time, books are being removed from our library shelves. >> reporter: on the first day of the texas legislative session, pastor and north texas representative nate schatzline led a prayer in the texas capitol.this right here, worshipping and >> there's nothing more important than we could be doing than this right here, worshipping and praying in the middle of the capitol. >> reporter:

. >> over the course of the last two years, school boards in the grapevine-colleyville south lake and, like restricting lessons on race, gender, and sexuality, the bathroom use of transgender students. and removing access to hundreds of books. many of those school board members are being backed by a conservative christian cell phone company, patriot mobile. >> patriot mobile is america's only christian conservative wireless provider. >> headquartered in grapevine, they promise to donate some of their profits to gop causes. and they run a political action committee, called patriot mobile action. one of their spiritual advisers, pastor rafael cruz, is the father of gop senator ted cruz. he livestreams bible study sessions from their offices, encouraging christians to run for local school board seats. >> if the righteous are not running for office, if the righteous are not even voting, then what's left? the wicked, electing the wicked. >> christian leaders have found success by focusing on school politics. one texas evangelist and patriot mobile business partner, lance wallnau, recently

. >> reporter: over the course of the last two years school boards in the grapevine, colleyville, schoolricts restricting instruction on race, gender and sexuality and removing access to hundreds of books. many of those school board members are being backed by a christian cellphone company, patriot mobile. >> patriot mobile is america's only christian conservative wireless provider. >> reporter: headquartered in grapevine they promised to dpoinate some of their profits and run a political action committee. one of their spearual advisers is the father of gop senator ted cruz. he livestreams bible study session from their offices encouraging christians to run for local school board seats. >> if the righteous are not running for office, if the righteous are not even voting, then what's left? the wicked electing the wicked. >> reporter: christian leaders have found success by focusing on school politics. one evangelist and business partner recently claimed christians played a secret role in the elections of the neighboring town of south lake. >> south lake, texas, one people went in flooded

leaders from all three districts declined to be interviewed grapevine colleyville told nbc news, we reviewll feedback and continuously look at how we can better serve and support our employees. south lake's carroll school noted as required by texas law we have policies and processes that respect parental rights and keller saying we believe mutual respect and dignity build unity. >> in a time where the climate is so hostile, it's nice to be able to find solace in just friends you can talk to. >> reporter: they are proud that these battles have taught them how to find their voice. antonia hilton, nbc news, grapevine, texas >>> and still to come, the embeen post season is up at bat, and the twins break a record, setting winless runs >>> plus, despite his torn achilles, could aaron rodgers play again this season ron rodge play again this season your digestive system isn't at its best. but a little metamucil everyday can help. metamucil's psyllium fiber gels to trap and remove the waste that weighs you down and also helps lower cholesterol and slows sugar absorption to promote healthy blood sug

. >> well, in this community in nor'easter, grapevine, colleyville, south lake, which msnbc viewers are we are seeing the growing influence of christian activists and religion in the public school system. and now a group of students and teachers are speaking out. take a look. amanda grutry is acooperating to a new routine. after years as a history teacher in texas, politics and religion compelled her to leave the job she loved. what was it like being around your kids? >> it was the best part of every day. >> reporter: in recent years, her old school district of grapevine colleyville passed sweeping policies, banning discussions of gender, regulating the bathroom use of transgender students and restricting lessons on race, gender and sexuality. while some parents in favor, guthrie isn't, and she says she felt like she couldn't teach her students the full context about american history. so she quit before the school year was over. >> very simple truth. there is only two genders. teachers shouldn't be forced to use your freaking fantasy made-up pronounce. why not stick it out? >> it felt u

>> in colleyville, ms. hardly it is stihl. >> they've been so excited and they're keeping a secret, which is huge. >> reporter: it started with a discussion about favorite colors. >> when it got around to jaren, jaren mentioned to us all that he was color-blind. >> reporter: that led to a number of questions, and one solution >> they wanted you to be able to see like everybody else. >> reporter: they found a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, pooling their allowance money. in one day, they had enough to buy color-blind glasss. >> we would love to see you try them on and tell what's you think. >> oh! >> reporter: that's jaren, seeing color like his classmates for the first time his mom remembers the moment she knew jaren was color-blind >> i remember he was in a car seat in the back of the car, and it really was a beautiful texas sunrise. and i heard jaren's voice in the back seat saying mommy, look at the beautiful green sunrise, and i looked at it, and i thought oh dear. >> reporter: now jaren has new

i'm colleyville. she we are following the breaking news out of israel. the israeli military and hamas fighters are currently engaged in active battles in the gaza strip and inside israel. earlier today, prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, declared that israel is in a state of war following a surprise both overnight attack by hamas in what is being called the worst attack in israel in 50 years, since the yom kippur war in 1973. overnight, hamas which controls gaza, launched an all out assault by land and see it, infiltrating southern israel with at least 1000 fighters. while gaza based fighters launched more than 2200 rockets into israel. israel said it responded with air strikes out at least 21 targets in gaza. according to local reports, at least 100 people have been killed inside of israel. we are trying to -- the emergency management services have said there are 70 people who have been killed in israel. we're getting conflicting reports on that. the gaza health ministry says at least 198 palestinians have been killed. the death toll in israel is compl