Huckabee preaches at First Baptist Woodstock, Georgia

When I first heard Mike Huckabee was speaking at a local church, I thought, "Wow, that's interesting. I'm going to go check him out." But when Huckabee and a few local politicians walked into the church a few minutes before the service started to a standing ovation and camera flashes, I had more than a few reservations. I mean, it would be one thing to speak at a church, but to take over Sunday worship and turn it into a political rally? Something is askew.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Pastor Johnny Hunt introduced Huckabee early in the service, and Huckabee started with these words: "I'm not here to campaign for Mike Huckabee. I'm here to campaign for someone far more important than myself." The reference, obviously, was to Jesus Christ. He then delivered a short five minute sermon, quoting the verse about the man who gains the whole world but loses his soul. The only time he mentioned anything about running for President was when he mentioned that it would be worthless if he "became the President but lost his soul." When his short message was over, he got a standing ovation, but for different reasons than the one he got when he came in. I'm not naive - I know that this appearance was so his campaign could say that he spoke at a Baptist church in Georgia, and as a "nudge nudge wink wink hey conservative Christians, Huckabee's one of us" kind of statement. But for five minutes, it was not about Huckabee the candidate; it was about Huckabee the preacher.

Speaking of preacher, Johnny Hunt is one of my all time favorite preachers, and this morning he reminded me why. He is one of the great "soul winners" of our generation. You cannot watch him speak and not get fired up. Today's message was about gratitude, and if I made a list of people I'm grateful for (as Pastor Johnny did in his sermon), he would defnitely be on the list.

Go HERE for a webcast of the service. I was at the 9:30 edition in case you want to see exactly what I saw...

Comments

[MarkLee]

Abby,
I think you misread my post. I am a Christian - in fact I used to attend Woodstock before I moved out of town. My original concern about Huckabee being there was BECAUSE I am a Christian and was worried that a church service was going to be used to stump for a politician.

I was actually blown away, and I thought both Johnny and Mr. Huckabee handled it well. Huckabee is a great speaker and obviously a man of God. I didn't vote on Super Tuesday (I was out of town) but if I had, I would have at least considered Huckabee.

Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for stopping by!

[Abby]

excuse me, but i happen to go to this church and was there that day and even though I cannot vote, I would totally support Huckabee and he is an incredibly nice man he took the time to give me a hug and talk to me. He spoke with such grace and truth and for you, some non-christian running around putting down Huckabee, if I used bad words than there would be alot on this post. And I am sorry that you feel that what he said was just to support him and not him and GOD.

[Wendy]

Johnny Hunt is amazing. Period. Have you ever met him? One of his best friends in this world (Donald Pope) was my Pastor at one time. Pastor Donald's wife passed away suddenly about a year ago and Johnny Hunt did her funeral. Amazing just amazing.

Oh and I like Huckabee before reading this but this helps.

[Chad Jarnagin]

interesting. i'm not sure what i think about that (not that it matters). ;)

i might not care if i were supporting the guy.

cheers man.

C

[Joan Young/Godgrl Gomer]

Wow! Thanks for sharing Mark! I have been watching this guy with great interest.
Praying the Lord's will is done during the President Elections.