CHICAGO (AP) _Inside Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, some 1,000 people sang spirituals, prayed and donated money to Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign as part of a “Super Sunday” nationwide church collection.

“The possibility of Jesse becoming president is imminent—it is closer now than ever before!” the Rev. Clay Evans said from the pulpit. “With God on his side, he’s going to make it.”

Worshippers responded with a chorus of “Amens” before digging into their pocketbooks and wallets to contribute to Jackson’s second bid to become president.

Fellowship, where Jackson is a co-pastor and attends services when he’s at home in Chicago, was one of about 500 churches across the country that collected a special offering Sunday for the Democratic contender’s campaign.

Jackson was on the campaign trail Sunday and spoke to an overflow crowd at a Roman Catholic church in West Liberty, Iowa.

“Today churches around the country are taking up collections for our campaign, in order that we might sustain our campaign,” he said. “Getting the money is obviously important—getting you to vote is most important.”

Jackson, a preacher by vocation, had dubbed the collection “Super Sunday” in a takeoff on the so-called “Super Tuesday” primary elections being held in 14 Southern and border states on March 8, Evans said in an interview before Sunday’s church service.

Although Jackson often raised money in churches during his 1984 campaign, his plans for a nationwide Sunday collection this year drew criticism last week that he was blurring the lines between religion and politics.

But Evans and several of his parishioners at the church on Chicago’s South Side dismissed the criticism.

“I guess it’s always kind of been blurred as to how far the church should go,” Evans said. “I think the church has to be involved in social, civic, political and economic welfare.”

The pastor said he didn’t think the Jackson campaign had set a specific fund-raising goal for “Super Sunday.” He added that he likely wouldn’t total his church’s contributions, but would just forward them to the campaign.

Before the service began, Gwen Outland said she planned to contribute, but wasn’t sure how much.

“It’s a nice gesture of support,” she said of the collection. “It can be done inside the church. There isn’t anything wrong with his people who support him taking up a collection.

“I’m praying for him and everyone else here is praying for him, so hopefully he will succeed,” she added, holding a Bible.

In the six-sided, brick sanctuary, light streamed through a stained glass dome in the roof as ushers wearing black suits and white gloves seated worshippers. Across the wooden pulpit were carved the words: “It is no secret what God can do.”

The congregation held hands and sang “The Lord’s Prayer” before Evans rose to speak.

“I want you to give a special offering—up and above your tithe—toward the campaign to support Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson,” Evans said.

“It will be left up to you what you give,” said the pastor, wearing a white robe trimmed in black. “The church is (Jackson’s) base. We’re going to give it to him—all the support we possibly can with our prayers, our vote, our money.”

The ushers passed out white envelopes on which were written the church’s name and the words “My Special Offering.” Evans instructed his congregation to write their name and the amount donated on the envelope.

Purses snapped open and men reached for their wallets. Row by row, the worshippers filed down the two center aisles and dropped their envelopes or loose dollar bills into wicker collection baskets in front of the pulpit.

As the collection was taken, the organist and band played an upbeat gospel tune. The congregation, led by Evans, swayed and clapped and sang, “Hold on to his hand—God’s unchanging hand.”