A reporter recently asked me, “What will you do if Obama is elected?” I said, “The same thing I will do if McCain is elected.” As a missionary to government officials in Washington, my ministry is neither Republican nor Democrat. In fact, it has nothing to do with political parties, politicians or personalities. Democrats and Republicans, Independents, Greens, Constitutionalists, Libertarians and everyone else need the same thing: First and foremost a witness of the Gospel; second to that, a constructive engagement with the Christian moral conscience–and I and my cohorts intend, with God’s help, to deliver both. Given what I now know about Barack Obama and the people that surround him, I believe he will be open to hearing it. Whether he acts on it or not is not so predictable, but then, neither is that certain with a President McCain.

While Obama and Company have talked up their version of “Hope,” I have seen my own angle on it, and it’s expressed in the above photo. What a beautiful image it is. Ministers surrounding the Senator and laying hands on him in prayer. This is not an uncommon scene. In fact, reports are that it happens before nearly every Obama campaign event. Add to it the profile of Obama’s two top religious advisors, the Reverends Leah Daughtry (YOU GOTTA READ THE NY TIMES STORY ON HER!) and E. Terri LaVelle, both ordained Pentecostal (read that PEN-TEE-COS’-TAL) preachers. Yes, I’m saying these two women are by their own descriptions, “Holy Ghost,” “Bible thumping,” Yelling-Shouting, Pacing, Dancing, “Tongues-talking,” Stem-winding, Sweat-beaded-brow, Salvation-centered, Hammond-organ-accompanied “Revivalists.”

Having said that, I would have a lot of serious differences with them. Notwithstanding those differences, we share a common “supra-culture.” I, too, was ordained Pentecostal. I preach in lots of Pentecostal churches. Culture–especially church culture–in many ways supersedes theological impediments. It builds bridges where people with opposite opinions can meet and at least talk. Should Barack Obama and Company win the White House, I am praying that will be the case. Moreover, I “Hope” that the ministers in this photo, and the thousands of others who have laid hands on Senator Obama, have imparted something to his soul and conscience. I know the Black church well enough to know the vast majority of these preachers are in their heart-of-hearts pro-life and pro-traditional family. They love God, they love His Word and they love people, especially the weak, the powerless and the defenseless.

Now, I’ve been stood-up by the Obama religious advisers twice. Once when E. Terri LaVelle broke a commitment to participate in our Reese Round table discussion, canceling without explanation only hours before the event (and that, by text message.) Later, I was treated to the same by Leah Daughtry, when she (again at the last minute) canceled a lunch appointment with me and Pastor Kenneth Barney of the enormous New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown, Maryland. I’m not going to bear a grudge, though. I know that when the focus is on winning an election, building relationships, which was our intent, take second (Or, third, or fourth, or fifth!) position. In any case, I’m sure someone said, “What’s that meeting going to do to win us votes?” It’s the way politics is done–and it’s done by both sides. I must give McCain some points, here, though. His top advisor did show up at the Reese RoundTable, even though there was no strategic advantage in doing so.

Back to HOPE. Here’s my hope in the photo: These preachers are “saved.” They are men and women of “The Book,” the Bible. They may not be pro-life activists in the full sense of the Word, but neither would the majority of them be pro-choice activists. They may not have their doctrine solid, but they’ve got enough to bring a witness to the possible new president, and I hope and pray they will. I, for one, am committing myself to work with them, and under them, and behind them, to encourage them to do so.

Obama-the-politician will owe the Black church much. He will routinely entertain Black church leaders. That means people like me will need to look to them, learn from them, support them and encourage them to say and do the right things at the right moment of opportunity. Should Obama be elected, it will be time for us white preachers to let black preachers lead us and put our HOPE in those who will have the access to deliver the prophetic witness of Truth.

White just won’t cut it any more. When it comes to the “White” House, “Black” will be in–and it will be powerful. I’m already making ready for a necessary color change in our ministry.

More to follow . . .

Rob +