Contact: Dane Rose, Program Director, Faith and Action, 202-546-8329 ext. 106., 703-447-1072 cell

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), president of the Washington, DC based Faith and Action and president of the National Clergy Council, issued this statement today on the death of conservative Christian pioneer the Reverend Dr. D. James Kennedy:

"It is always sad to lose one of the greats, but there is no question Dr. Kennedy has been greeted in heaven with the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' It was my pleasure to have known Dr. Kennedy and to consider him a role model and mentor. I was trained in his Evangelism Explosion technique 25 years ago and still use it routinely. He was always gracious and helpful to the organizations I've led. He was a fearless but eloquent voice for biblical and traditional morality. He leaves behind a great legacy.

"Dr. Kennedy's passing, like that of Jerry Falwell's, signals the rise of a new generation of Christian leaders in America. Our predecessors prepared us well and we feel confident about meeting that challenge."

Rev. Rob Schenck, 48, is president of Faith and Action, America's only Christian outreach to elected and appointed officials located across the street from the United States Supreme Court Mr. Schenck also heads the National Clergy Council, an association of conservative church leaders from Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions and serves as chairman of the Committee on Church and Society for the Evangelical Church Alliance.