
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 1, 1994                   TAG: 9402010187
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARK O'KEEFE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

NORTH TELLS GROUP GOD HEALED HIS BACK

U.S. senatorial hopeful Oliver North charmed the nation's religious broadcasters Monday night by telling them how the Bible changed his life and how God healed his back.

North, the leading Republican challenger to Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia, also told the 50th annual meeting of the National Religious Broadcasters that he needed Christian prayers more than money and endorsements.

"I would ask you for the most important thing of all, to pray," said North, whose daily commentary used to be syndicated on the USA Radio Network. "The thing I would ask is that between now and Nov. 8 . . . that in everything I would do, I would not glorify myself but glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to save us all."

Walking on a large platform as if he were a stage actor with total command of his audience, North told the broadcasters folksy stories while stating none of his positions as a candidate for the Republican nomination. For example, he told them how, as a Marine, his commanding officer had introduced him to the Bible and how one day he was instantly healed of a back injury he had gotten from jumping off a military vehicle.

While North's speech energized many of the 3,500 people who registered for the four-day conference, others expressed unease over evangelicals' aligning themselves solely with Republicans. Conservative presidential hopefuls Jack Kemp and William Bennett are scheduled to address the broadcasters today.

For the first time in recent years, the president himself was not invited to speak. Presidents Reagan and Bush were conference fixtures, but a statement from the organization said President Clinton was unwelcome.

"We cannot give a platform to a leader who so aggressively supports and puts forth policies and positions which are blatantly contrary to scriptural views," the statement said.

Tony Evans, a prominent African-American preacher whose radio show is broadcast on 240 stations, said in an interview that the president should be invited.

American Bible Society President Eugene B. Habecker said not only Clinton, but Robb should have received invitations. Habecker was part of a group of religious leaders to meet with Clinton Oct. 18. He said he was called "gutless" and worse for accepting the invitation.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB