Kim Davis — the Kentucky county clerk who went to jail this month for refusing to follow the law and issue a marriage license to a gay couple — has officially become a religious martyr and inspiration for conservative Christians across the US.

At the 10th annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC on Friday, Davis was presented with a ‘Cost of Discipleship Award’ by Tony Perkins, of the Family Research Council (FRC), who compared her with Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks and Abraham Lincoln because, like them, she ‘pursued justice at great personal cost.’

The summit is organized and sponsored by the FRC, a conservative Christian lobbying group.

He said, ‘In today’s conflict over the meaning of the irreplaceable civil institution of marriage, one elected official, Kimberly Davis of Rowan County, Kentucky, has inspired millions of her fellow Americans.’

‘As her words and actions attest, she has proceeded with an unshakeable blend of humility and determination. In doing so, she has reminded us we must remember to kneel before we dare stand,’ he added.

According to media reports, she cried each time as she received several standing ovations as she stood on stage.

‘I feel so very undeserving,’ Davis said, choking up.

‘I want to start by thanking my lord and my savior Jesus Christ. Because without him, this would never have been possible. For he is my strength that carries me.’

The 49-year-old Rowan County clerk, who was married four times and twice to the same man, made the news after she was jailed six days for being in contempt of federal court after refusing to issue marriage licenses due to her biblical opposition to same-sex marriage.

Following her jail stint, she has stopped interfering with her deputies, who had begun issuing licenses to same-sex couples according to the court order although she still refuses to issue any marriage licenses that go against her religious beliefs.