The son-in-law of a longtime church member attended the 11 a.m. service Sunday at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, visiting from Baltimore. He greeted church-goers, sang hymns and received communion.

He also stood at the front of the vast neo-gothic sanctuary and spoke, calling for local action in national politics. No ordinary guest, Benjamin Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, had much to say to the congregation.

"We have to get out of the bleachers and back on the battlefield," he said. "Stay involved in what's happening in Washington."

Mr. Jealous was visiting Pittsburgh this weekend to speak at the University of Pittsburgh's "Race in America" conference. But his father-in-law, David Epperson -- a retired dean of Pitt's School of Social Work -- persuaded him to stay a little longer and attend church.

"We've been trying to get him here for a while now," said the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy. "We were so thrilled that he was able to be here."

Mr. Jealous said he "wouldn't miss the opportunity" to address the congregation, which has had an enduring focus on civil rights. He said he was also impressed with the church for welcoming female pastors and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.

Church-goers Sunday were quick to explain that Mr. Jealous was quite literally preaching to the converted.

"He was speaking to people that have lived and believed very strongly in his message," said Barbara DeWitt, of Point Breeze.

Shirley Wilson, of Wilkinsburg -- who is not a member of the church but sometimes attends services -- said she is drawn by the congregation's diversity.

"I feel welcome and at home here," she said.

About 200 people attended the Sunday service. Mr. Jealous spoke for about 10 minutes in the middle of the program.

He lamented Arizona's new immigration law; textbook revisions in Texas that he said warped civil rights history; and the Republican primary victory of Rand Paul, a hero of the tea party movement who is running for a Kentucky U.S. Senate seat.

Mr. Jealous urged the members of the congregation to engage in national battles for their beliefs.

"The great majority of people in this country still believe in an inclusive, multi-racial democracy," he said.

The Rev. Randall K. Bush preached a complementary sermon, uplifting the importance of small acts by regular people.

"We need big efforts," he said. "But we also need individuals, the ones who sat for that first time at a segregated lunch counter."

After the service, Mr. Jealous attended a reception marking his visit. He said that the "great majority" he spoke of is real but fragile.

"It only exists if we're active," he said. "It only exists if we're engaged."

Ms. DeWitt said she was not an NAACP member but now plans to join.

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