Throughout Roberta Combs’ eight-year presidency, the Christian Coalition of America has faced challenges from within and from outside critics. But with an election year under way, the 62-year-old has no intention of abandoning her faithful fight.
Do you belong to a particular faith?
I belong to the Christian faith and I attend an interdenominational church. I love the fact that there I can exercise my faith freely and enjoy the fellowship of Christians. I enjoy the open expression of Christian love of believers one for the other.
As a young person, who most inspired you?
In my youth, I was inspired by my parents who instilled in me principles of righteousness. They were loving people who strongly believed in God and country. Growing up, my parents, my siblings and I would gather every night for family prayer before going to bed. My father was a debit insurance salesman and my mother was a stay-at-home mother. They led by example and instilled in me to always give back to others and the community. Their wholesome family values have always been my beacon as I have gone throughout my life.
With the start of the school year upon us, what lessons do you believe our children must learn in order to “defend America’s Godly heritage,” as your organization aims to do?
If future generations are to defend America’s godly heritage, they must be taught how Christians came to this country, established community schools and churches and worked hard for their families and prayed to be in God’s will. They must be taught that our Founding Fathers were active Christian witnesses and were unafraid to testify of God’s love and leadership in their lives. They must also realize that the Founding Fathers came here so they could worship freely and have religious freedom.
What advice would you give the presidential candidates about how to attract the nation’s diverse group of Christian voters?
My advice to the presidential candidates in their quest for Christian voters would be for them to speak honestly, frankly and positively. They should be unashamed of naming Jesus Christ as savior and speak of the value of their personal faith. They must value human life and swear to work to preserve the traditional family. The families of America are looking for a leader who will stand up for them. I believe Americans believe in the phrase, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” We need a leader who will be there in tough times and the good times.
What have been your most significant accomplishments since assuming the Christian Coalition’s presidency?
Under my leadership, Christian Coalition of America distributed 70 million Voter Guides educating people of faith where candidates stood on the issues. We successfully lobbied to ensure two conservatives were elevated to the Supreme Court; to prevent Americans from using their tax dollars for abortion; to increase fines ten-fold for violations of the indecency laws by broadcasters; and to keep partial-birth abortions a crime.
At your core, what is one of your most deeply held beliefs?
I believe and have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I believe that He died for my sins and that His Holy Spirit within me is my personal guide for every day.
