ADAMS TWP - Nothing wrong with a little competition, especially when no matter how it comes out, good things come from it.

Three Mars area churches: Old Union Presbyterian, Valencia Presbyterian and St. John Lutheran are challenging each other in regard to the upcoming presidential election.

Each congregation has about the same number of members who are eligible to vote. The race is on to see how many congregates actually exercise that right on Nov. 2.

In order to keep things on an even keel, it's the percentage of registered voters who cast ballots that will determine the winner. To be counted, church members will be asked to bring in their signed voting stub to their respective churches on Nov. 7 for tallying.

Politics and presidents aside, the real winner in this friendly competition will be The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a Christian outreach to area individuals and families in need of food, furniture, vehicles, counseling and temporary housing.

The two losing churches will donate $100 each to the Lighthouse in the name of the winning church.

"We saw it as a good way to increase voter turnout," said the Rev. Peter de Vries of Old Union Presbyterian. "We should be good stewards of all our God-given gifts and the right to vote is one of them. It doesn't matter what political persuasion."

"I believe as Christians it is our responsibility to be involved in our community and express our values and opinions," said Gary Watson of Valencia Presbyterian. "Presbyterians have a long history of involvement in the political process that dates all the way back to the Constitution."

Watson noted that John Witherspoon, president of what became Princeton University, was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence.

All three churches support The Lighthouse, with or without presidential races to fuel their commitment.

"We thought (joining the competition) was a good idea and a great cause," said Robert Rigg, pastor of St. John Lutheran.