Southern Baptist Convention Leader to Endorse Perry at Values Voter Summit

Jeffress to Draw Sharp Contrast Between Perry and Romney

DALLAS, Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas will introduce Texas Governor and 2012 Presidential GOP Candidate Rick Perry today at the 2011 Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC. The summit is held annually by Tony Perkins and Family Research Council. Jeffress' introduction will serve as his official endorsement of his fellow Texan, and is a first for the Pastor who has never publicly stood behind any political candidate.

For Jeffress, "Replacing Barack Obama is more than a political issue, it is a spiritual issue."

"Several months ago when Governor Perry was considering a run for the presidency, I had the opportunity to tell him that those of us who are evangelical Christians are looking for a candidate with three attributes:  genuine commitment to Christian values, proven competency to govern, and electability.  In Rick Perry we have a candidate with all three attributes."

"Some would argue that there are a number of other candidates who possess those attributes as well. However, once the smoke clears in several months.  Conservative Christians will have a choice to make.  Do we want a candidate who is skilled in rhetoric, or one who is skilled in leadership?  Do we want someone who is a conservative out of convenience, or one who is a conservative out of conviction?  Do we want a candidate who is a good, moral person, or one who is a born again follower of Jesus Christ?  I believe that in Rick Perry we have a candidate who is a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ."

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the host and vision behind the Pathway to Victory program that is broadcast  to 1,200 television stations weekly and can be heard daily on 600 radio stations across the country. He is Senior Pastor of the 10,000 member First Baptist Church Dallas and is also the author of 17 nationally recognized books, including the 2002 Medallion Finalist, "The Solomon Secrets." Dr. Jeffress graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a D.Min, earned a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.S. degree from Baylor University.

CONTACT: Carolyn Baker – 214.969.7829, 940.704.2004 or [email protected]
Jacob Day – 214.725.5513 or [email protected]

SOURCE First Baptist Church of Dallas