PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH LAVIN
The outspoken and often-controversial pastor of First Baptist Dallas, Robert Jeffress, will preach at a private service before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday.
As first reported by CNN, Jeffress will speak at the service for Trump and his family, held at St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House.
About 300 people, including Vice President-elect Mike Pence, are expected to attend.
Jeffress later confirmed the report and noted the title of his sermon in a tweet: “When God Chooses a Leader.”
Honored to deliver sermon “When God Chooses a Leader” for Trump/Pence private family service at St. John’s Church before #Inauguration. pic.twitter.com/MD0HmyKzTP
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) January 20, 2017
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The pastor later appeared on The O’Reilly Factor and promised to share the Old Testament story of Nehemiah, a builder chosen by God to restore Israel and to “build a giant wall around Jerusalem to protect the citizens.”
“Nehemiah kept plowing forward, and I see those qualities in Donald Trump,” Jeffress said. “He’s going to do what’s best for this country.”
Watch my interview from the @oreillyfactor on @foxnews as I discuss the Trump/Pence private family prayer service. https://t.co/7y0ChOKHkk
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) January 20, 2017
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The leader of the downtown Dallas megachurch has been a vocal supporter of Trump, even introducing him at several campaign rallies. He also is a member of Trump’s faith advisory council, which includes James Dobson and Jerry Falwell Jr.
In 2015, Jeffress attended a meeting at Trump Tower where religious leaders spoke with and laid hands on the Republican businessman.
He visited Trump Tower again earlier this month to meet with the president-elect, tweeting afterward that “he’ll be the most faith-friendly president in our nation’s history.”
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SOURCE: The Dallas Morning News
Tom Steele
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