The Response Adds Trio of New Co-Chairs for Prayer Event

By Jennifer LeClaire Jul 21, 2011

Despite persecution, three more respected Christian leaders have signed on as co-chairpersons of the Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s The Response: a call to prayer for a nation in crisis prayer event on Aug. 6.

Penny Nance, president and CEO of Concerned Women for America; Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council; and Frank Wright, president of the National Religious Broadcasters, have been appointed to serve. Previously announced co-chairpersons include Dr. James Dobson and his wife,
Shirley, Rev. Sammy Rodriquez, Dr. Tony Evans and Dr. Richard Land.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed suit in federal court to stop the prayer event, saying it violates the religious freedom article in the First Amendment. But the opposition is only spurring charismatic leaders to press harder for God’s will.

“At stake are our very freedoms. This has gone to a whole new level,” says Steve Riggle, senior pastor at Grace Community Church. “Let’s rise to this challenge and massively respond. Just maybe, this will spark a movement across this nation that will be a massive spiritual tsunami of genuine repentance, humble dependence and another great awakening.”