BISHOP HARRY R. JACKSON Jr.: Blacks should vote for George W. Bush

By Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr.
October 26, 2004

" The Black vote will determine the outcome of this election!" I wrote this statement as I prepared for a TBN interview Oct 4th. Little did I know that Cindy Jacobs had prophesied this same thing just weeks before from the same Miami studio from which I would be appearing. I asked myself, was this just a coincidence or had I really heard from God? If this is true, then what does this prophecy mean? Will Bush win or will Kerry? My answer was clear.

What Blacks choose in this election will impact the course of the nation for many years to come.

American Blacks have always been a moral lightning rod for us in America. This election will be no exception. Have you noticed Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson traveling with Kerry into Black churches during the last two weeks? This is not by accident. I am asking everyone who reads the Elijah List to pray that God will use African-Americans to impact our nation for righteousness in this critical season.

I support George Bush and I believe that the Black vote will push him over the top. I also believe that this year's October surprise will be the Black community standing up for righteousness and justice. High impact African American churches are creating high impact leaders who are developing high impact congregations that are changing their communities. These high impact Black Christians are more likely to read their bibles and practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, or worship than their white, Hispanic, or other ethnic counterparts.

Based upon 12 years of combined research, George Barna and I believe that the Black church will be a catalyst for revival or spiritual renewal in America. In the political realm, Black churches may lead the way as well. In our new book, High Impact African American Churches, we state, "Black pastors see politics as the means of making faith real by introducing faith principles into every fiber of life."

This really should be the approach of all mature Christians. How will this affect the upcoming elections? I believe a "stealth vote" of Blacks will turn things around for the President. Black pastors are beginning to speak out and Black members of multi-cultural churches are ready to make a difference in their world.

In my view, God has been preparing the heart of President Bush to take a radical stand for social justice in his next term. This could be the beginning of the development of a "kingdom agenda" instead of a limited "conservative" versus "liberal" approach to the woes of our society. The current political labels have led to bitter divisions that do not serve the nation's best interests.

This article will cover four things: a prophetic prospective on the election, the biblical background of the justice issue, an overview of current political realities, and a call to action for the Body of Christ.

If you have Black friends that you would like to encourage to vote for justice and righteousness, please purchase the CD entitled "Choose Ye This Day" from this site and send it to them. You can also forward this email message. It could change their lives.

Remember, we don't have much time!

Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr. is senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham, Md.