Recently, Michael Youssef delivered a powerful message on America's Christian foundation and why it is critical to a free society. Take a few moments to watch this timely and relevant message.

Michael Youssef Signs Manhattan Declaration

Michael Youssef stands with 150 national leaders in support of sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty — encouraging all Christians to join him in the Declaration

ATLANTA, GA., December 1, 2009 — Michael Youssef, Founder and President of Leading The Way, is encouraging all Christians to sign the historic 4,700 word Manhattan Declaration. This declaration commits each signer to adhere to their convictions, informing civil authorities that the signers will not — under any circumstances — abandon their Christian consciences.

"We are a nation — founded upon Christian principles. However, over the past few years, we have seen a focused effort to move our country and our institutions in the total opposite direction," stated Michael Youssef, Ph.D. "We are even facing the possibility of being forbidden to share moral absolutes from the Scriptures on same-sex marriage and abortion. Now is the time to stand for the core principles that not only built our country, but also protected it for more than 230 years."

"I am committed to the passionate proclamation of the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," Dr. Youssef commented. "I am on the record stating that I am ready to go to prison or even die for the Truth of the Gospel, specifically that Jesus is the only Way to the Father and therefore salvation and heaven. The fact that leaders of other denominations, with whom I disagree over the purity of the Gospel, have signed the declaration is no reason for me not to accept the challenge to stand-up and be counted."

"There were previous declarations and documents of an ecumenical nature that I did not sign," added Dr. Youssef. "However, the Manhattan Declaration is different. The others who have signed it does not diminish the importance of its clear stand. If we do not stand now, we run the risk of forever being silenced."

Here are some excerpts from the declaration:

"We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right — and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation — to speak and act in defense of these truths. We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence."

"We recognize the duty to comply with laws whether we happen to like them or not, unless the laws are gravely unjust or require those subject to them to do something unjust or otherwise immoral."

"We will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide or euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriage or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family."

To read the full document and to sign the document, visit The Manhattan Declaration.