Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee speaks at Abba's House on Sunday

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, left, will be the guest speaker Sunday for All American Day at Abba's House in Hixson. He is shown here at the Republican National Convention last July with daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who serves as deputy press secretary for President Donald Trump.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, left, will be the guest speaker Sunday for All American Day at Abba's House in Hixson. He is shown here at the Republican National Convention last July with daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who serves as deputy press secretary for President Donald Trump.

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› What: Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks for All American Day.› When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday.› Where: Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike.› Phone: 423-402-9327.› Website: www.abbashouse.com.

Former U.S. presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak at Abba's House on Sunday.

Huckabee's speech won't endorse any political candidate, nor is he running for office.

His goal is to help the church celebrate its All American Day, says Dr. Ronnie Phillips Jr., senior co-pastor.

"We asked him if he'd be interested in coming to share a message about God and country from the Bible and help us on All American Day, and he graciously agreed," says Phillips.

The church started All American Day about 10 years ago to bolster church attendance on the holiday and to honor military personnel and veterans.

Fourth of July weekend is typically the lowest-attendance Sunday for Christian churches around the country, according to Phillips.

Huckabee's sermon will talk about how God has been good to America and how America needs to be good to God, Phillips says.

The service will feature patriotic songs performed by the Abba's House choir and orchestra, along with a new song titled "Spirit Move," described on the church website as "a cry of hope for our nation."

The invitation to speak at All American Day was extended in February on a tour of Israel that Phillips made with Huckabee. Phillips was one of Huckabee's speakers and helped baptize people during the tour.

Phillips notes that Huckabee was a Southern Baptist minister before he ran for office.

Active as an author and commentator, Huckabee was a candidate in the Republican presidential primaries in 2008 and 2016. In his first bid for the White House, he finished second to nominee John McCain in the primaries. In the latter, he suspended his campaign on Feb. 1, 2016, and threw his support behind Donald Trump, who would win the Republican nomination and presidency.

Huckabee served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He hosted the talk show "Huckabee" on Fox News from 2008 to 2015.

Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.

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