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Whitson to host luncheon for Mark Harris
K. Allan Blume, BR Editor
October 28, 2013
3 MIN READ TIME

Whitson to host luncheon for Mark Harris

Whitson to host luncheon for Mark Harris
K. Allan Blume, BR Editor
October 28, 2013

Mike Whitson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Indian Trail, is hosting a luncheon for Mark Harris during the annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC).

Whitson hopes 300 pastors will gather for the free luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Imperial Room D of the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.

Currently serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte and BSC president, Harris is running for one of North Carolina’s two seats in the U.S. Senate as a Republican. Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, currently holds the office.

Although the luncheon will be during the BSC annual meeting, Whitson said the state convention is not promoting or sponsoring the event. The luncheon is privately organized and supported.

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BR photo by K. Allan Blume

Mark Harris, left, seen here talking with his wife Beth and son Matthew before Harris’ private announcement Sept. 12 of his candidacy. Harris made his official announcement Oct. 2 that he would run for Sen. Kay Hagan’s seat. Harris is currently president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte.

“Pastors have shied away from actively engaging in personal politics because they are not aware of what they can do and what they cannot do,” Whitson said. “Basically we have become silent because of that.”

He believes pastors and church leaders have more liberty to speak out on issues and to support candidates than they are currently using.

“Twenty-nine of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence were either ordained or received deep theological training,” he said. “It is time that we had a man in Washington who will seek the wisdom of God, stand on the convictions of the Word and not compromise his integrity and character.”

Whitson’s two-fold purpose for the luncheon is “… to expose Mark [Harris] as a godly leader who feels called to represent N.C. and to let pastors know what is available to them in the way of leading and encouraging others to vote.”

Harris officially announced his candidacy Oct. 2 in a statewide tour. Harris said he has learned that “people really do want a candidate they can believe in. They really do want a candidate who is marked by character – someone who does not have to get up in the morning and read the newspaper to figure out what they believe. Someone who does not have to turn on the news and hear what the latest poll is saying to determine how they are going to vote or how they are going to stand that day.”

Those interested in attending the noon luncheon on Nov. 12 should reserve a seat by emailing [email protected].