The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship this week honored Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley with its Distinguished Christian Statesman Award. While accepting the honor at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, Hawley pointed to faith as a unifying force in a nation that’s more divided than ever.
“Faith is what holds this country together,” he said. “The left’s attempt to eradicate religion divides America. That’s what’s divisive. Faith actually is a great unifier in our national life.”
Hawley previously served as Missouri attorney general and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading constitutional lawyers fighting for people’s liberties.
“I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States,” he said. “That means also defending the principles, the ideals and the realities on which that Constitution is founded. And the witness of the Bible is absolutely foundational to all of that.”
The center, a Washington-based project of the Florida-based Coral Ridge Ministries, has spotlighted Christian leaders serving the nation each year since 1996.
“The future of our nation depends on the character and integrity of our leaders,” said Rob Pacienza, Ph.D., CEO and [resident of Coral Ridge Ministries. “We established this award to promote faith, virtue and excellence in public service.”
Hawley follows in the footsteps of fellow Missourian John Ashcroft, who also served asattorney general and senator and was the first recipient of the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award in 1996. Other notable personalities to receive the award include Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Tim Scott and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
“Hawley is a wonderful representation of what a Christian statesman should be,” said William Russell, executive director of the center. “He has his priorities in line: his faith, his family and his work. That shows through the work that he’s doing right now on Capitol Hill. But he also is resolute in his beliefs.”
Established in 1995, the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship is a spiritually\ based outreach to men and women in positions of influence and authority in the nation’s government. Its mission is to support, equip, and empower Christian statesmanship and cast vision for the next generation of Christian leaders in the halls of government.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice