As he considers another White House bid, former Gov. Mike Huckabee stopped at a Little Rock megachurch Sunday to pray, preach and promote his latest book -- God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy.
Standing in a Southern Baptist sanctuary in front of an American flag 40 feet high and 60 feet wide, Huckabee didn't discuss his presidential campaign plans during a sermon that was broadcast nationwide.
Instead, the former pastor urged Americans to focus on faith, arguing that the Bible is mightier than the ballot box and that prayer is more powerful than politics.
"Ultimately the hope for this country is not in the politicians; it's in the pews of our churches," Huckabee said.
Meeting with reporters earlier Sunday, Huckabee said he wasn't at the Church at Rock Creek to campaign.
"It's not a political rally. It's not a political event. It is really a spiritual night of encouragement and inspiration," he said, adding that viewers would have "a great opportunity to celebrate America and celebrate their faith."
Asked about a presidential bid, Huckabee said: "I've been very candid. I think people know that when I left the Fox News show in early January, I wasn't doing that just to spend Saturdays at home. So clearly things are headed in that direction, but that announcement isn't ready to be made until a little later in the spring."
During Sunday's service, the former Arkansas Baptist State Convention president suggested that spiritual revival and renewal are key. "Sometimes people say if we just got the right people elected, our country would have a renewal. Actually, if we had a renewal, we'd get the right people elected. That's how it works and in that order."
Repeating themes in his latest book, Huckabee argued that Washington, D.C., New York City and Hollywood are out of touch with Americans in Arkansas and the rest of "flyover country."
He argued that Christians are despised, not only by the Islamic State, but by some Americans, who accuse them of "hate speech" if they speak out for traditional Christian teachings.
"It's a compliment to you when you're hated because of your hope and when you're hated because your faith leads you...," Huckabee told hundreds of supporters at the Church at Rock Creek. "It's all right to be who you are, to believe what you believe. ... A hundred years from now, you will be glad you stood for that which is righteous."
People gathered in at least 60 churches across the country to watch Sunday night's event, titled "America: From Ordinary to Extraordinary."
Huckabee said the program was being webcast to 1,600 locations, including homes.
The Little Rock event drew hundreds of supporters, several Huckabee political advisers and a popular country music artist.
Larry Gatlin played at least a half-dozen songs, including "All the Gold in California," "When the Roll is Called up Yonder" and "I'm an American with a Remington."
Huckabee played bass on one of the songs; the audience sang along during some of Gatlin's hits.
Afterward, scores of people lined up to buy autographed copies of Huckabee's book, which debuted at No. 3 last week on The New York Times hardcover nonfiction best-seller list.
Sunday was the last stop on a book tour that has taken him to nearly 50 cities in 15 states since Jan. 17.
On Friday, Huckabee will travel to Israel, a pilgrimage he has made dozens of times since 1973.
Chip Saltsman, who was national campaign manager for Huckabee's 2008 bid, attended Sunday's service. Asked if Huckabee will seek the 2016 Republican nomination, Saltsman said, "I hope so."
"I've heard from a lot of donors around the country, a lot of political people. ... They all say, 'He's exactly what we need.' He fits that mold of likeability, ability to communicate, electability," Saltsman said.
Several of those in the audience said they're hoping for a Huckabee candidacy. "My heart says he will [run]," said Lester M. Sitzes III, a dentist from Hope who has known Huckabee for decades. "If he runs, I'll be there for him any way he needs. There'll be a lot of people there for him."
Steve Stewart of Little Rock helped direct traffic outside the church before heading inside.
He's also hoping Huckabee runs.
"He would bring honesty and sincerity and some common sense that seems to be lacking these days from the White House," Stewart said.
Metro on 02/09/2015