A pastor from Texas was scheduled to deliver the sermon Sunday at a church here called the Crossing. But instead this small evangelical congregation heard from a different special guest: Baptist minister and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who delivered a sermon of more than 20 minutes on how to be part of "God's Army" in the middle school cafeteria where the congregation meets.
"When we become believers, it's as if we have signed up to be part of God's Army, to be soldiers for Christ," Huckabee told the enthusiastic audience.
Huckabee's campaign did not allow cameras into the church, and the candidate did not make an appeal for votes as part of his sermon. But a church official invited members to attend an event a mile away, where Huckabee held a rally with actor Chuck Norris and where free clam chowder was served. Read on...
UPDATE: (Nicole) As Sara at Orcinus says, it would be irresponsible not to speculate on Huckabee's potential to abuse the separation of Church and State and rely on the needed infrastructure these evangelical groups can bring to his campaign. Pastor Dan has a few ideas to ensure that churches not violate IRS guidelines on getting involved in political campaigning.
And finally, political satirist Max Blumenthal (of the hilarious College Republican Conference and CPAC videos) has put together a Huckabee campaign ad that he'd probably prefer you not see.
