Contact: Dave Bohon, WDC Media, 612-940-8406, davebohon@wdcmedia.com

TAMPA, Fl, July 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tampa-area businessman Joe Redner, who is running for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission, will speak at Tampa’s 20,000 member Without Walls International Church Sunday, July 16th, at the 11 a.m. service.

While Redner is probably most well-known as the owner of one of Tampa’s most high-profile adult entertainment businesses, he also operates several other mainstream businesses in the area, and has long been recognized for his philanthropy and community activism.

Redner, who is seeking the seat currently filled by Commission Chairman Jim Norman, is running on a platform that includes education reform, an improved transportation system, and affordable housing.

Without Walls Pastor Randy White said that Redner’s ownership of an adult business in Tampa had no bearing in the decision to invite him to speak at the Sunday service. “This is about allowing an open forum to a candidate for an important civic post in our community,” said White. “Anything less would defeat the whole notion of what Without Walls International Church was created for. We’re not endorsing Mr. Redner’s business practices or his well-known opinions on free speech and expression. But we are recognizing him as a legitimate candidate whose positions on issues important to the community deserve a public hearing.”

White explained that providing a venue for a broad range of public opinions and expression helps facilitate Without Walls’ overall mission of fostering an atmosphere of acceptance for all individuals regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, political affiliations, or other differences. “Yes, our message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but we couldn’t effectively deliver that message if we were constantly excluding people with a laundry list of qualifications,” he explained. “That would be building walls, not tearing them down. We want to live up to our name.”

About Without Walls International Church

For over 15 years Without Walls International Church (WWIC) in Tampa, Florida has been providing countless opportunities for individuals and families to worship, minister, and lend a helping hand throughout the local community, the nation, and the world. Every day staff and members of WWIC facilitate feeding and clothing programs for the needy, host educational programs for various age groups, and take the Gospel to every corner of Tampa and the world. Under the leadership of Bishop Randy White and Pastor Paula White, WWIC is dedicated to tearing down the walls of racism and poverty, while equipping men, women, and children with practical teachings on Godly principles. To learn more visit www.withoutwalls.org.