President Obama Meets with Christian Denominational Leaders: Recognizes 100th Anniversary of the National Council of Churches

On November 1st, President Obama met with Christian denominational leaders to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Council of Churches. 

The denominational leaders thanked President Obama for passage of historic health reform legislation and robust engagement with the faith community and encouraged the Administration to take a strong stance on behalf of families facing poverty and hunger.

The President actively participated as the discussion moved through the issues of health care, religious freedom, international affairs, and poverty in the country and the world.

Rev. Peg Chemberlin of the National Council of Churches helped to facilitate the dialogue.  Rev. Wes Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America, summed up the meeting and his experience, "Sharing concerns and prayers with President Obama was a rare opportunity.  We're told in 1 Timothy to pray for those in authority.  We have a president who invites us to pray with him and who wants to hear the pastoral and practical concerns of church leaders.  For this we can be grateful."

At the close of the 40-minute meeting in the White House's Roosevelt Room, Bishop Thomas Hoyt of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church prayed for the President.

Joshua DuBois serves as Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships