Ebenezer Pastor Celebrates MLK, Blasts Newt Gingrich | News

ATLANTA (WXIA) -- Raphael Warnock, senior pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church, blended religion and politics into Sunday's sermon and took a swipe at Republican Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich.

"He is playing an old game that's part of the southern strategy...I think he's relying on old logic of scapegoating and race baiting," Warnock said.

He was referring to Gingrich's comments when asked about addressing the NAACP:

"More people were on food stamps today because of Obama's policies than ever in history... if you run and ask people if you rather your children had food stamps or pay checks, you wouldn't end up with a majority saying they'd rather have a pay check. And so I'm prepared if the NAACP invites me, I'll go to their convention and talk about why the African American community should demand pay checks and not be satisfied with food stamps."

Attendees of Sunday's service also paid tribute to what would have been the 83rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King, Jr served as co-pastor of Ebenezer from 1960 until his assassination on April 4, 1968.

White House Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President Valerie Jarrett was seated near the pulpit during the service.

She told the crowd that without Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President Obama's term in office would not be possible.

For several weeks now, Ebenezer Baptist Church has offered voter registration after every service. Warnock says that will continue up until the next election.