By Bob Allen
Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee are reportedly confirmed for a “North Texas Presidential Forum” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.
The 40,000-member megachurch led by former Southern Baptist Convention President Jack Graham is co-sponsoring the debate with the Faith & Freedom Coalition, a group founded by Christian Coalition organizer Ralph Reed that today claims 1 million members and distributed 21 million voter guides in churches during the 2014 midterm elections.
“As Christians, it is critical that we take seriously our rights as citizens of this great country by educating ourselves on all candidates in any election and to participate fully in the election process by voting our values,” Graham said in a press release. “We cannot afford to stand on the sidelines as our Christian values are continually trampled. This forum is a great opportunity to hear from each of the candidates seeking to lead our country.”
Most of the Republican candidates — including Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Rand Paul, Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal and Lindsay Graham — are also invited. So are Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
Participants will be invited to address the audience for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute center stage discussion with Pastor Jack Graham about the importance of faith in public life.
Timothy Head, executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition said, evangelical Christians and faithful Catholics “are increasingly concerned about perceived hostility toward faith in America.”
“Leading voices of faith are taking a clear stand for the fundamental American principle that no one of any faith should be compelled by government to violate their conscience or deeply held faith,” he said. “The North Texas Presidential Forum will be an excellent opportunity for prospective leaders to convince thousands of faith-filled Americans that they too will stand unflinchingly for the fundamental rights of faith and freedom.”