POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — Heads were bowed, and thousands of hands were raised as the Holy Spirit moved at the National Faith Advisory Board's (NFAB) inaugural Faith Summit, held outside of Atlanta on Monday.
Former President Donald Trump headlined the event, but even the most recognized man in the world did not overshadow the Holy Spirit as faith leaders from across the U.S. and some from overseas gathered.
Mobile pastor Travis Johnson of Pathway Church was a featured speaker.
"It's time in 2024 that the church assumes its rightful place and we stand up," Johnson said. "We speak up. We don't bow. We stand."
Johnson has been outspoken about his beliefs on preaching about politics from the pulpit. He spoke to hundreds of pastors at the event, encouraging faith leaders to preach the truth. He used the story of David and Goliath and reminded Christians that while David was not trying to get involved in the affairs of his land, he knew he had to have courage and fight.
"Praise God that David stepped forward," Johnson said. "You know, what I noticed and what we see with David is when you step forward, the giant steps back."
Johnson said it's time for Christian pastors to preach about what's really happening and to take a stand.
"Here's what I find out is true for me," he continued. "It's true for David. It's true for us in 2024. If we will step forward, the enemy will step back."
Upon Trump's arrival, Johnson and other speakers joined him in a side room for prayer. He walked on stage to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" and pumped his fist for the crowd.
NFAB founder and president Paula White-Cain serves as Trump's spiritual advisor. She asked him to speak about his own faith. Trump said he was raised in a Presbyterian church in Queens and understands the importance of faith.
"I think this is a country that needs religion," Trump said. "It's like the group that holds it together and we don't have that. That's why you [faith leaders] are the most important people. And I'm not sure you even realize it."
"And they're trying to hurt you," the president said. "They're trying to stop you. This new administration, this new radical left group of people and it's not so new. It's been around for a while and they are people that are not nice people."
Trump said he realizes that surviving the first assassination attempt was a miracle. He said his sons, Don and Eric, helped him realize that God allowed him to survive.
"So somewhere, all of us had a little help up there," he said, pointing to the sky. "And I would like to think, and I don't know this at all, but I would like to think that it's because He wants our country, and maybe the world to be helped. God wants our country to be helped."
Trump recently organized and raised over $14 million for Hurricane Helene disaster relief. He gave over $7 million to Samaritan's Purse. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son and Samaritan's Purse's president, had only one disagreement with Trump. The presidential candidate said Graham told him not to use foul language on the campaign trail.
"We had a great rally at Madison Square Garden," Trump said. "And sometimes I use a little bit, not hard foul, but soft foul. We call it soft foul. But you have to emphasize something about somebody's capabilities or whatever I might be talking about."
"But I got a letter from Franklin," he said.
Trump vowed to tone down his "fouls." He also thanked the faith leaders for keeping the country together and said the more powerful they become, the stronger the country will be.
The summit ended with several pastors, including Johnson, gathering on stage and praying for Trump and the country.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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