Christian Church Leaders Converge on U.S. Capitol Before Inauguration, Call on President-elect Obama to End Domestic Poverty

Contact: Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm, Executive Administrator, 317-490-1968, dhamm@ddi.org; Valerie A. Ruess, Administrative Assistant, 317-496-8656, ValCCT@att.net; both with Bread for the World

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bread for the World:

WHAT:

In the midst of the worst economic crisis of our time, prominent U.S. church leaders from 36 communions comprised of 101 million members will call on President-elect Barack Obama to overcome the scandal of poverty in the United States.

WHEN:

Thursday, January 15, 2009, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., ET

WHERE:

National Press Club, Zenger Room, Washington, D.C.

Join by phone: 1-800-277-3988

WHO:

Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World

Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, director of external affairs and interchurch relations, Orthodox Church in America

Dr. James D. Leggett, presiding bishop, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church

Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary, the Reformed Church in America

Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, president, The National Baptist Convention, USA

Dr. Ron Sider, director, Evangelicals for Social Action

Jim Wallis, founder, Sojourners

Dr. Sharon Watkins, general minister and president, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

WHY:

To call our nation's leaders--especially President-elect Barack Obama--to overcome poverty in the United States. CCT believes this can be done by reducing child poverty by 50 percent in the next ten years and strengthening the educational system in the country, paying particular attention to public schools.

RSVP:

Shawnda Hines, shines@bread.org, 202-509-3674

Bill Malone, bmalone@bread.org, 202-464-8180

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. www.bread.org

Christian Churches Together enables churches and national Christian organizations to grow closer together in Christ in order to strengthen our Christian witness in the world. www.ChristianChurchesTogether.org 

Source:  http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/654239107.html