Religious leaders gather with Georgia House candidates to urge people to vote

"We're not telling you who to vote for, but we are saying vote, vote, vote, vote," Pastor S.E. Johnson of Cornerstone Bethel said.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With only one week left until Election Day, various religious leaders from around Middle Georgia gathered Tuesday at the Georgia Baptist Missionary and Education Convention Center with Anissa Jones, who’s running for Georgia House District 143, and Tangie Herring, who’s running for District 145, to stress the importance of voting and urge people who have not cast their ballot to do so.

“That the vote is the most powerful tool that we have and when you refuse to vote, what you’re doing in reality is giving someone else your paycheck and telling them to spend it as they choose and in our community, we have had men and women down through the years to make tremendous sacrifices and instilled in us that we are not to forsake that which has been set before us,” said Pastor S.E. Johnson of Cornerstone Bethel.

“We’re not telling you who to vote for, but we are saying vote, vote, vote, vote. Boys and girls, tell your mommas and your daddies to go to the polls and go vote,” he said.

“We must go and vote because it determines our future,” said Dr. Walter Glover of Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church.  “We must vote because men and women gave of themselves and their lives that we might have this glorious privilege. Whatever we do, vote.”

“Let no one misinform you that your vote does not matter,” Pastor John H. Glover of Jordan Chapel said. “Your vote matters 100%.”

“It’s very critical that we go to the polls to elect the candidates of our choice,” said Rev. Eric Scott of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Association. “Your vote is your voice, so let your voice be heard through the polls.”

“This is not a time to sit on the sidelines now,” said Pastor Wilbur Greene of New Damascus Baptist Church. “It’s time to get up and be counted. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of what you’re doing.”

“There’s a lot of people dependent on us,” he said. “And the main thing is this, men and even mothers, your children are not voting. They’re not voting.”