SOMERSET, NJ – April 24, 2014, 1:00 P.M. On April 24, 2014, Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, convened over forty faith leaders from across the State of New Jersey – from Camden to Short Hills – to present a public show of support for the Opportunity to Compete Act (S1484/A1999). Given the Governor’s public statement on April 18 that he is working with the legislative sponsors on this bill, and with Senate and Assembly Committee votes anticipated in late May and floor votes in June, the convening carried a particular moral urgency.
Pastor Soaries acknowledged the diverse presence of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim clergy, saying, “We are here today as faith leaders from various traditions to support the Opportunity to Compete Act. We may not all meet on the same day, we may not all have the same name for God, but on this issue we are united.”