Last Sunday, Fred Smith was preaching to the choir.

At Cleveland Community Church, the megachurch in Johnston County informally known as "C3," pastor Matt Fry gave his sermon. Then his wife, Martha, told the 2,000 or so parishioners that the church would never tell its flock how to vote, but that it's important for everyone to vote.

She then introduced someone she said was a friend of C3's for more than a decade, and out walked Smith, a Clayton resident and Republican candidate for governor.

Microphone in hand, Smith talked for about 10 minutes. He explained how North Carolina needs political candidates who will fight for Christian values, push for the right to publicly practice the Christian faith and more.

He referenced the Sermon on the Mount from the book of Matthew and led C3 in a prayer as the offering plates were passed.