A North Carolina Republican told a religious gathering that his “primary mission” as a congressman was to promote the Gospel of Christ.

Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC) appeared last week alongside Reps. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) at the weeklong “Celebrate America” revival meeting in Washington, D.C., reported Right Wing Watch.

“The most important message that needs to be heard in this city is the Gospel and love of Christ,” Pittenger said. “This transforms lives.”

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The congressman said he understood that recent “court rulings and unsettledness” had been painful to American Christians, but he urged them to promote their religious views to political rivals.

“I don’t hold fault with those who believe different from me – they just don’t know my savior,” Pittenger said. “They don’t know the one who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Pittenger said his chief priority as an elected official was to promote Christianity to voters and other lawmakers.

“That’s my primary mission as a member of Congress,” he said. “Yes, to serve my constituents, to serve my region, and my state, and my country — but we’re here as emissaries for Christ.”

The lawmaker drew gasps and then some delayed – but light – applause when he told the gathering that God loved President Barack Obama.

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“God is working his heart, because we’re praying for him that he would know the love of Christ,” Pittenger said. “It transforms everything. It transforms everything we do and think and believe. I don’t care what issue that we work on in public policy and legislation, it all comes down to the reality of Christ.”

Watch the congressman’s remarks in this video posted online by RWW Blog: