Harris makes pitch to Black churches after telling protesters praising Jesus, 'You're at the wrong rally'

Harris celebrated her 60th birthday at two Black churches outside of Atlanta on Sunday as part of a nationwide push - known as "Souls to the Polls" - to encourage Black voters to participate in early voting.  

"In this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos," Harris told Black churchgoers. "There are those who suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know, which is the true measure of the strength of a leader, is based on who you lift up." 

Harris was later serenaded by Stevie Wonder at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro, Georgia, where the Democratic nominee referenced the parable of the good Samaritan a second time. 

"Our strength is based on who we lift up, and that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days, which is are we a country that honors through our faith and our deeds the importance of kindness - of support, of understanding the dignity in each other and the respect that we should have for each other." 

Harris' appearances in the swing state of Georgia come days after she told two pro-life student protesters that they were "at the wrong rally" when they yelled, "Jesus is Lord," and, "Christ is King," during a campaign stop in Wisconsin last week.

By contrast, Trump's running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, repeated, "Jesus is King" when someone shouted the phrase at his rally in Wisconsin over the weekend, telling the crowd how he believes "there is something really bizarre with Harris' anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy." 

Harris also skipped the Al Smith dinner, a Catholic charity event in New York City and a traditional campaign stop for presidential nominees, instead sending a poorly-received video message last week.

The engagement of faith voters in the 2024 election underscores an unprecedented blending of partisan politics with Christianity at a moment when many churches have seen attendance decline. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.