“If we step forward, the enemy will step back.”

ATLANTA – Heads were bowed and thousands of hands were lifted Monday as the Holy Spirit moved in Powder Springs, Georgia.

Former President Donald Trump led the event, but even the most recognized man in the world didn’t overshadow the Holy Spirit as faith leaders from across the U.S. and some from abroad gathered.

It was the first Faith Summit of the National Faith Advisory Board (NFAB).

Mobile, Alabama Pastor Travis Johnson of Pathway Church was a featured speaker.

“It is time in 2024 for the church to take its rightful place and for us to rise,” Johnson said. ‘We are speaking out. We don’t bow. We stand.’

Johnson has been outspoken about his beliefs when preaching about politics from the pulpit. As he spoke to hundreds of pastors at the event, he continued to encourage faith leaders to preach the truth. Using the story of David and Goliath, he reminded Christians that although David did not try to get involved in the affairs of his country, he knew he had to have courage and fight.

“Praise God that David stepped forward,” Johnson said. “You know, what struck me and what we’re seeing with David is that when you step forward, the giant step is backwards.”

Johnson said it’s time for Christian pastors to preach about what’s really happening and take a stand.

“Here’s what I’m finding to be true for me,” he continued. “It applies to David. It applies to us in 2024. If we take a step forward, the enemy will step back.”

Upon Trump’s arrival, Johnson and other speakers joined him in a side room to pray. He walked on stage to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and pumped his fist at the audience.

NFAB founder and president Paula White-Cain, serves as a spiritual advisor to Trump. She asked him to speak about his own faith. Trump said he grew up in a Presbyterian church in Queens and understands the importance of faith.

“I think this is a country that needs religion,” Trump said. “It’s just the group that holds it together and we don’t have that. That’s why you [faith leaders] are the most important people. And I’m not sure you even realize it.”

“And they’re trying to hurt you,” the president said. “They’re trying to stop you. This new government, this new radical left group of people and it’s not that new. It’s been around for a while and it’s people who are not nice people.”

Trump said he realizes surviving the first assassination attempt was a miracle. He said his sons, Don and Eric, helped him realize it was God who enabled him to survive.

“So somewhere we all had a little help up there,” he said, pointing to the sky. “And I’d like to think, and I don’t know this at all, but I’d like to think it’s because He wants our country, and maybe the world, to be helped. God wants our country to be helped.”

Trump recently organized and raised more than $14 million for Hurricane Helene disaster relief. He gave more than $7 million to Samaritan’s Purse. Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham and the president of Samaritan’s Purse, had only one disagreement with Trump. The presidential candidate said Graham instructed him not to use foul language during his campaign.

“We had a great meeting at Madison Square Garden,” Trump said. “And sometimes I use a little bit, not hard foul, but soft foul. We call it soft foul. But you have to emphasize something about someone’s ability or whatever I’m talking about.”

“But I got a letter from Franklin,” he said.

Trump promised to correct his ‘mistakes’. He also thanked the faith leaders for holding the country together and said the more powerful they become, the stronger the country will be.

The summit ended with several pastors, including Johnson, gathering on stage and praying for Trump and the country.

To contact the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.

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