RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 12 (UPI) — Rock singer Bono of U2, speaking as a preacher, won over 350 evangelical ministers at Hope Community Church in Raleigh, N.C., a report says.

The Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer said the videotaped words of the Irish singer were telecast to the pastors at the church who were taking part in a conference organized by Illinois’ Willow Creek Community Church.

"The main thrust of the Scriptures is to meet Christ in working with the poor," the U2 front man told his viewers.

Willow Creek, one of the nation’s first "megachurches," had organized the event as part its annual three-day conference to help develop leadership abilities in over 70,000 pastors worldwide.

The preaching efforts were also another step by the 46-year-old singer in his efforts to draw attention to the ongoing plights of the world.

The newspaper said Bono has been attempting to gain the support of the world’s churches for his attempts to fight poverty, AIDS and other rampant issues that face the world’s poor.

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