Contact: Benjamin May, 202-737-5339, bmay@policyimpact.com; www.wcf9.org 

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 1, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Jim Garlow spoke to an interdenominational audience Wednesday night in Salt Lake City about challenges to religious freedom that are occurring with increasing frequency.

The senior pastor at Skyline Church in San Diego, Garlow traced the movement to suppress religious expression from the 1950s – when 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations were barred from significant lobbying – to today.

Garlow, one of the country's leading evangelical pastors, urged the audience at Life Church to stand for truth with love and a focus on Christ's teachings.

"We actually believe that the gospel is so persuasive that if we reach enough people, touch enough homes, and touch enough lives, that it will alter lives and it begins impacting the culture," Garlow said.

"I am calling for an application of biblical truths," he added. "I am not talking about political activism, though that is a good thing. I am asking for you to rise up as a people and ask your pastors to teach more, study more, and preach more on the biblical truths."

Pastor Greg Johnson, whose Utah-based Standing Together organized the event, said, "The Garlow event demonstrates the power of interfaith dialogue and community. We're excited to continue this conversation at the end of October at World Congress of Families IX."

Stan Swim, interim president of Sutherland Institute, which co-sponsored the event, added, "This dialogue will be further amplified by the diversity of the international scholars, political leaders, faith communities and advocates coming together to discuss a wide variety of issues, including marriage, life, religious freedom, adoption, addictions and much more at WCF."

WCF IX will be held Oct. 27-30 in Salt Lake City.

For more information, please visit www.wcf9.org or follow WCF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.