By: Meghan Peters, Laura J. Mansfield, Will Mari

HAUVILLE, IND. — The floor shook. Hands clapped. Heads looked to the sky. Voices belted in harmony as girls’ beaded hair ties knocked against the pews like plastic marbles. All males — from age two and up — were dressed in full suits, and women in dresses and heels. A small stained glass window depicting the Holy Spirit shed light on the humble, half-filled sanctuary.

It was a Sunday morning service at Victory Tabernacle, a Pentecostal Apostolic church in Hauville, West Indianapolis. Besides the three of us, and two others, the entire congregation was black.

But it didn’t make a difference. All were welcoming and excited to see us join the service. The friendliness was overwhelming: people shook our hands left and right, asking who we were, what we were doing and how could they help.

“If you haven’t been to a sanctified church, you probably think we’re crazy,” said First Lady Sister Linda Harris, wife of the church’s pastor and founder. “But we’re crazy about Jesus.”

This statement held true, as the service focused on Jesus’ word and how churchgoers could integrate His teachings into their lives. Bishop William Harris, the pastor, preached against gangs and violence, while encouraging the congregation to look to religion — not politics.

“It’s not in Obama; it’s not in the White House — it’s in Jesus,” Harris said. “Hope in Jesus, not in the new president to be.”

Throughout the service, members of the congregation stood and “testified,” when one shares a testimony of what God has done in his or her life. Afterwards, they shared with us their opinions on God, morals and politics.

Regina Marshall, a Louisville, Ky. native, recently graduated with a degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She said because the beliefs of both Democratic nominees don’t match up with her church’s teachings, particularly their support of gay rights, she may vote Republican for the first time in her life.

Religious views also play an important role for congregation member Stacy Hall.

“I think a woman should not be president,” she said. “It’s ordained by God that men should preach.”

Some feel the world isn’t ready for a black or female president.

“It would be good to see an African American be president, but it would be dangerous…” Marshall said. “I feel it would be a big problem in a lot of eyes. I think he would be hated by a lot of people.”

But most agreed that Obama would do best against McCain in the general election.

“He has charisma, style,” said Troy Pepper, an 18-year-old churchgoer. “He speaks of change. His speeches are beautiful.”

Aaron Williams, a member of the church’s young adult Bible study, is a Republican. He said he plans to vote for Obama on Tuesday because of the candidate’s sincerity.

“As a young black man, it’s good to see another young black man trying to make a change without pulling the race card,” Williams said. “The thing that’s most important whether it’s a Democrat or a Republican is who’s going to do something for the people.”

The lively debate continued outside under the late morning sun. Hope Hall said “in the end the whole black thing matters.” Williams was quick to respond to Hall, “you should never vote for somebody because they’re black, vote based on what you believe,” said Williams.

It was the Deputy Mayor, Olgen William’s day off, and as he headed toward his car, he glanced back with a smile at the political dialogue taking place. “We all need to work together,” he said.