Traditional marriage defenders from various flows in the body of Christ are gathering in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday to make their voice heard.
Led by Bishop Harry Jackson, senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Washington, D.C., the High Impact Leadership Coalition is launching a national initiative focused on the preservation of traditional marriage, as well as other pro-family issues, at the Defense of Marriage Summit.
Beyond ministers, local elected officials and community leaders have also committed to participate in the event to discuss state-specific social issues.
“This election presents unprecedented challenges to the most important social institution—marriage. President Obama has made it clear through numerous actions and statements that he believes the definition of marriage is ‘evolving,'” said Jackson.
“Yet, for those of us who stand on the unchanging truth of God’s Word, there is only one definition—one man and one woman. The only successful future for America must include God’s definition of marriage. For those of us of faith, we must not sit silently by as the president refuses to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act.”
Known for his years of pro-family work on Capitol Hill, Jackson has extended an invitation to the entire Orlando community to attend the Aug. 22 Defense of Marriage Summit. As he sees it, the fight for marriage brings together a multi-ethnic and broad coalition of evangelical denominations. The Orlando summit is the first of seven events across the nation as part of the Traditional Marriage tour.
In all, the Defense of Marriage Summit will include a day of events, beginning with a private strategy session for Florida pastors, community leaders and elected officials. A pre-event rally will begin at 5 p.m. featuring Christian entertainer Judy Jacobs, followed by the main portion of the program at 6 p.m. at the Church on the Living on the Edge in Longwood, Fla., outside Orlando.
Dr. Alveda King, American Christian minister, pro-life activist and author; Gen. Jerry Boykin, original member of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, author and ordained minister; Mat Staver, chairman and dean of Liberty Counsel; U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams, Florida’s 24th congressional district; and James Robison, founder and president of LIFE Outreach International and the host of LIFE Today are also in the speaking line-up.
