NEWS RELEASE - Mike Huckabee Announces His Faith & Family Values Coalition

The following is a News Release from the Mike Huckabee Campaign:

News Release: Mike Huckabee Announces Faith and Family Values Coalition

November 27, 2007

Former Southern Baptist Convention President James Draper Joins Christian Activist-Syndicated Radio Host to Lead 30-Member Coalition for Huckabee

Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee announced that Dr. James Draper, former pastor, past president of Southern Baptist Convention, and recently retired president of Lifeway Christian Resources, will join Christian activist and syndicated radio host, Janet Folger, as a co-chair in the formation of the Faith and Values Coalition for Mike Huckabee.

“I’m proud to have this impressive group of faith leaders join me in my efforts to reach out to Christian and social conservatives across the country,” Huckabee said. “I don’t come to these people for their support, I come from them. Together, we will continue to spread my message of hope and optimism.”

Thirty outstanding leaders from across the country, who personally support Mike Huckabee’s candidacy for President, will also assist and advise him on policy issues that affect families and the faith community.

This growing coalition currently includes a diverse group of leaders throughout the country, including several former Southern Baptist Convention presidents, leaders of Christian universities and seminaries, as well as world-renowned authors, influential pastors, social activists, and regional pro-family leaders.

Members of the new Faith and Family Values Coalition will include:

(*Title and affiliation for identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by any ministry, group or organization)


Dr. Jerry Jenkins, best-selling author, including the Left Behind series; Colorado

Zig Ziglar, Author and motivational speaker; Texas

Star Parker, Founder and president of CURE;* Washington D.C.

Karen Testerman, Founder and Executive Director of the Cornerstone Policy Research;* New Hampshire

Michael Farris, Chair of Home School Legal Defense Association* and Chancellor of Patrick Henry College;* Virginia

Rev. Keith Butler, Founding Pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center Church;* Michigan

Thomas Glessner, attorney, author, and Founder/President of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates;* Virginia

William J. Murray, Chair of Religious Freedom Coalition,* Chair of Government is Not God PAC,* and author; Washington D.C.

Randy Alcorn, Founder and Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries,* best-selling author of 28 books, fiction and nonfiction; Oregon

Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Springdale* and The Church at Pinnacle Hills */ Former President of the Pastor’s Conference/ Former Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention; Arkansas

Michael Heath, Executive Director of Christian Civic League of Maine;* Maine

Don Wildmon, Founder and Chairman of American Family Association;* Mississippi

Bishop John Gimenez, International Overseer of Rock Ministerial Family,* in conjunction with Rock Church International and co-founder of Rock Church in Virginia Beach;* Virginia

Pastor Anne Gimenez, Co-founder and pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach;* Virginia

Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary;* Texas

Stephen Strang, Founder and President of Strang Communications and Founder of Charisma Magazine; Florida

Rick Scarborough, Founder and President of Vision America;* Texas

Dr. Joe Fuiten, Founder of Positive Christian Agenda* and Pastor of Cedar Park Church;* Washington

Jerry Cox, President of Arkansas Family Council;* Arkansas

Janet Folger, President of Faith2Action;* Florida

Jim Pfaff, President and CEO of the Colorado Family Action;* Colorado

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel*/ Dean of Liberty University Law School;* Virginia

Kelly Shackelford, Chief Counsel, Liberty Legal Institute and President of Free Market Foundation;* Texas

Phil Burress, President of Citizens for Community Values;* Ohio

Dr. Jack Graham, Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church,* Former President of Southern Baptist Convention;* Texas

Dr. James T. Draper Jr., Former President of Southern Baptist Convention/ Former President of Lifeway Christian Resources; Texas

Dr. Jerry Vines, Former President of Southern Baptist Convention/ Former Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL / Founder of Jerry Vines Ministries;* Georgia

Dr. Daniel L. Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary;* North Carolina

Dr. Jay Strack, President/ Founder of Student Leadership University,* World- renowned Southern Baptist communicator and minister; Florida

Dr. Billy McCormack, Pastor of University Baptist Church*/ Founding National Board Member of Christian Coalition;* Louisiana

“As I interviewed each of the candidates and investigated their leadership skills, and observed their behavior, Mike Huckabee clearly rises above the others,” said Karen Testerman, Director of Cornerstone Policy Research, a Family Policy Council organization. “I believe he not only clearly communicates the founding principles and values of faith, family and freedom, he demonstrates these values in his behavior towards others.”

“As governor, Mike Huckabee was the first to appoint a homeschooler to the Arkansas State Board of Education, and to our knowledge, he’s the first to do so in any state,” said Michael Farris, Chairman and General Counsel of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Chancellor of Patrick Henry College. “He believes that America must be strong, but should never be perceived as a bully.”

“Mike Huckabee is a proven leader who has embraced and supported the values throughout his career of which all Republicans can be proud,” said Rev. Keith Butler, who is the founding pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center Church. “I stand with Governor Huckabee for President, because I believe he is the best choice for the future of America."

“We need a president who has the moral convictions and commitment to work to end the cultural nightmare of abortion,” said Thomas A. Glessner, founder and President of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. “I am convinced that Governor Huckabee is that person.”

“Mike Huckabee is delivering a clear consistent message that is shaking up the Washington, DC establishment,” said William J. Murray, chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition. “My office is just a few blocks from the Capitol and virtually everyday, I meet with congressmen, Senators and other ‘insiders’ who see Mike Huckabee as a breath of fresh air and they don’t particularly like that.”

“Mike Huckabee's relational ability with people, whether it be one- on-one or through mass media appeal, coupled with his influential proven leadership at the executive level in a largely democratic state, will win the hearts of millions as he articulates with mastery the conservative values of evangelicals,” said Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills. “I am personally endorsing him because I have found these things to be true in my 21 years of knowing him.”

"I have been waiting for God's man to emerge. I believe that Mike Huckabee is our man and I support him totally," said Bishop John Gimenez , International Overseer of the Rock Ministerial Fellowship.