When Wallis speaks, the big shots tend to listen. He runs national round tables where Christian leaders can propose ideas, get instant feedback and begin to plot their next actions. He speaks all over the country, on radio and television, in churches, schools and virtually anywhere people will listen. He just won't - actually, he can't - stop because he is convinced that poverty can be erased and that he has created a movement that is going to make it happen.

"We can't just think ministry anymore," Wallis says. "We have to talk about movement. Call to Renewal is a new table where people can gather. In the past, to get churches together it was tougher than trying to get the youth gangs to talk together."

But now, for instance, Wallis has brought together the National Council of Churches and the National Association of Evangelicals, two large Christian organizations that have never collaborated in mission. As he talks excitedly about the new alliances, he'll throw in new mission goals for Habitat for Humanity, World Vision or Catholic Charities. Then, just as one begins to think about a short rest, he will launch into housing statistics from Cleveland or Atlanta, and the hard sell begins again.

This is just the way the man works. He has been a relentless missionary all his adult life working for the rights of the poor.

"I've just been talking with people," Wallis says. "And to their credit, they want to come to this new table. They want to be a part of this movement.

"We have all these people working together," Wallis said. "We're building round-table discussions all around the country. And we're working with other faith communities - Jewish organizations, for instance."

Wallis makes his goal clear in his new book, "Faith Works" (Random House, New York, $23.95), and clearly says that churches and Christian organizations are needed if this nation ever expects to wipe out poverty.

Wallis has very little faith in political organizations to destroy the systems that create poverty. In his new book he tells a joke about a drowning man who is slowly sinking about 100 feet off shore. The Republicans arrive, throw the man 50 feet of rope and tell him the rest of the rescue will be up to his own efforts. Then, the Democrats come along, throw the drowning man 200 feet of rope but drop their own end.

That's where religious organizations can provide much needed help. Most will follow through with consistent help, and if powerful coalitions can be formed, Wallis believes the four goals of Call to Renewal can be realized.

The first goal is to overcome poverty. The second is to dismantle racism. Then Wallis wants to rebuild families and communities. Finally, the broad overarching goal is to protect the dignity of every person's life.

Those are monumental goals, but Wallis believes they can be achieved.

"No organization can do these things by themselves," Wallis said. "Someone has to pull together all the different sectors. Without a vision the people perish."

Wallis said the contrast between his message and the pleading of the two presidential candidates is vast.

"Gore and Bush are talking about soccer moms," Wallis said. "I'm talking about a mom working in a fast-food joint who has to run from table to table and then in the afternoon she's running back to a table in the corner to help her kids do their homework. Why can't we have affordable child care in this country?

It's the economic boom time right now, and it's lifting the yachts but not the boats."

Wallis anticipates a question: "And why don't politicians pay attention to these people? Because poor people don't vote, and they don't contribute to campaigns."

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For more information on the Call to Renewal Movement, contact Jim Wallis at 2401 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Or call (202) 328-8745.

Clark D. Morphew