Saturday, November 07, 2009 Last Update:07:14 pm ET

Church|Mon, Jun. 29 2009 09:49 AM EDT

Report: Obamas Find Church Community to Call Home

By Audrey Barrick|Christian Post Reporter

After over a year of being without a worship community, President Barack Obama has reportedly settled on a church home – Evergreen Chapel at Camp David.

According to Time magazine, Obama told White House aides of his decision to attend the nondenominational services offered at the president's country residence in Frederick County, Md.

Evergreen Chapel typically draws some 50 to 70 people every week. Weekly Christian worship services there are held for the military personnel and staff posted at Camp David and their families.

Former President George W. Bush had also made Evergreen his primary place of worship during his eight years in office.

Since cutting ties last year with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who was Obama's pastor for 20 years at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Obama and his family remained churchless. And life without a church community has been difficult, he has said.

Congregations in Washington have extended invitations to Obama to join their worship community, and White House aides have visited local congregations in search of a new church home for the Obamas.

Obama visited a few himself, including 19th Street Baptist Church in northwest Washington and St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House.

Although he expressed early this year his desire to be part of a Washington congregation, he also said he did not want to be disruptive to the city or subject fellow church members to "being magged" every time he attended church, he told ABC's "This Week."

Camp David offers Presidents an opportunity for solitude and tranquility. Evergreen Chapel was dedicated in 1991 during George H.W. Bush's presidency. Services are led by Navy chaplains who are assigned to three-year tours of duty there. The current chaplain is Lieut. Carey Cash, 38, who is a Southern Baptist.

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  • Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:43 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 2

    Listen to yourselves, you reactionaries. As if Obama has anything to learn about Christ from the likes of small-minded, judgmental hypocrites like you. Your interpretation of the Bible boils down to "Republicans good, Democrats bad." As the President (you must hate it that a black Democrat has that title) said in his inauguration speech: It is time to put away childish things.

  • Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:34 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    More importantly, Obama has chosen a church where he can't really be held accountable, nor can he have a true fellowship. This of course presumes he will actually attend regular services.

    On the flipside, I feel for the Chaplain as he is a junior officer, with the "Supreme Commander" as member of his congregation. Let us pray that Chaplain can be truthful and courageous with the President!

  • Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:51 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    He belongs with Rev Wright; he could bring him to D.C. and be truthful.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:35 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    I will prayer for President Obama to one day here the true gospel. But, ther are wolves and false prophets that enter into most churches do not be deceived. If he has an ear to hear let him hear.If it is a front he is only fooling himself he surely does not fool God.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:36 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

    Amen, Schemeroo, I'll be praying that Barry will somehow come under the sound of the gospel at this church. Just as I pray that the homo trolls on CP continue to haunt this Christian blog so they will hear the gospel preached.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:04 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    The leader of the church right now is a Southern Baptist. If nothing else, let's hope our President develops a relationship with this Chaplain and gets good counsel from him. I see this as a positive - our President will be around military folks and some Baptists. This really is what he needs (more life experience outside of the democratic political machine - which is pretty much where he has spent his life until now) in my own humble opinion. Now the next step is to get him to get a relationship with someone who appreciates our Constitution and understands the concepts of Federalism and limited government.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:24 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Guys... it's about safety and security. Same reason why his kids are in private school - though I find that ironic.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:22 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    "Interesting that Obama would choose a church where everyone there is under his command...."

    Lets not forget the chain of command. Under normal circumstances, it would be inappropriate for Barry to issue orders to a Lance Corporal - for example.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:41 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    This is wonderful news. Itâ

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:37 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    As far as religon being a personal matter---stop it! If you are a christain that light in you should shine not be hiden for a personal matter.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:34 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    None of you must be familiar with the chapel services associated the military or DOD. First, you don't even have to be saved to be a chaplian for a christian service. Also they are limited on what they can preach about. those are just a few things.

  • Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:56 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Flagged as inappropriate. show ggirl, Good to see you again. I agree with you: it's an intensely personal issue. That's why I was surprised by that part of the story: "...White House aides have visited local congregations in search of a new church home for the Obamas." He must not share our opinion. hide

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:24 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    where every he wants to worship is fine nothing wrong with where he is.He is still worshiping God.
    and that is what counts.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:36 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    I question the line about GWB making Camp David his home church. I saw reports of him at a nearby DC Episcopal church far more often than at any other.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:59 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

    Flagged as inappropriate. show Probably has more to do with concerns about Homeland Security than theology. When the US president attends a church - any church - the event is about the president being there, and pretty much nothing else. I think he probably didn't have much choice, because of the security issues. hide

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:55 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 4

    I imagine no matter where he chose, someone would be upset. In the end - a person's place of worship, the denomination or even the religion he/she chooses is a private matter.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:48 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 3

    "Shall we assume that's why President Bush Jr. chose the same place?"

    All together possible.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:01 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 4

    Life is even more difficult Mr. President without God in your life.

    Mr. President, why is a baby's right to life above your paygrade? I hope you find someone in your new church community who has the pay grade to make that decision.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:35 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 4

    ""Interesting that Obama would choose a church where everyone there is under his command...."

    Shall we assume that's why President Bush Jr. chose the same place?"

    Yes we should. Its becoming more apparent Presdient Obama is JUST like President Bush.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:39 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 5

    "Interesting that Obama would choose a church where everyone there is under his command...."

    Shall we assume that's why President Bush Jr. chose the same place?

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:56 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

    Pretty convenient. A church away from where he will be on most weekends, but he can say he has found a "church" and still be out of attendance almost always.

  • Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:42 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 5

    Interesting that Obama would choose a church where everyone there is under his command....

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