Brentwood-Benson Music songwriter Jeff Slaughter, whose songs have touched millions of children and families throughout his career, has released "Under God," a patriotic single extolling the Christian values on which the United States was founded. The popular songwriter, who co-wrote the song with Preston Dalton and Spencer Dalton, hopes "Under God" will challenge Christians in the U.S. to pray for their country in the countdown to the 2012 Presidential election on November 6.

"'Under God,' which features spoken word segments by former Presidents Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, as well as Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was written as a battle cry to remind Americans where we came from," says Slaughter, who is known for composing top-selling Vacation Bible School music heard throughout the world. "To try and erase God from our pledge, our money and our history would destroy the foundation our forefathers fought so passionately to establish for us."

Slaughter, who is signed with Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, has written scores of songs for Lifeway Christian Stores VBS curriculum, including the music for Saddle Ridge Ranch, Big Apple Adventure and Amazing Wonders Aviation. Slaughter's best-loved VBS songs include "We Believe" from 2005's Ramblin' Road Trip VBS curriculum. The song also became a top-selling choral anthem for adult choirs that same year.

More than 46 million children have sung Slaughter's songs over the years, according to Jerry Wooley, VBS Ministry Specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources.

"Jeff Slaughter is one of the most passionate songwriters I've worked with in 18 years of publishing. It doesn't matter if he is writing for worship or about his country, you know he is going to pray carefully over the song and then give it 110% effort. His love for God and country are evident in the way he lives, the way he talks and the way he writes," says Johnathan Crumpton, Vice-President, Brentwood-Benson Music Publications.

Slaughter, who also co-wrote Point of Grace's No. 1 single, "One More Broken Heart," says his new song, "Under God," was inspired by the words of the nation's founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington:

"God who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?" - Thomas Jefferson

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor." - George Washington

"Throughout our history, America's leaders have publicly and unashamedly called this nation to prayer, compelling us to ask for God's wisdom to guide us and His blessing to surround us," says Slaughter. "I pray this song would inspire us all to boldly stand, as generations before us have, and declare that we are one nation under God!"

Jeff McLaughlin of the McLaughlin Group is promoting the single to Christian A/C and INSPO radio stations throughout the U.S. To listen to "Under God," click here.

Photo caption: Songwriter Jeff Slaughter has co-written "Under God" along with Preston Dalton and Spencer Dalton. (Russ Harrington photo)

About Jeff Slaughter:
Brentwood-Benson Publishing writer Slaughter has written a new musical titled Christmas Shoe Tree, the No.1-selling children's Christmas musical to-date in 2012 for Brentwood-Benson. Brentwood-Benson also is set to release its 2013 VBS curriculum titled Jeff Slaughter VBS World Tour soon.

During his career, Slaughter has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, Canada and Central America.

For more information about Slaughter, visit jeffslaughter.com or like him on Facebook (facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Slaughter-Ministries) or Twitter (twitter.com/Jeff_Slaughter).

About Brentwood-Benson Music:
With more than 60,000 copyrights, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, a division of Universal Music, owns the world's largest Christian music publishing catalog, and the second largest evangelically styled choral music catalog. Its songs have been recorded by virtually every major artist in the Christian music industry as well as by such renowned artists as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Amy Grant, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, among others. In addition to developing and exploiting copyrights, the publishing group also produces and markets consumer print and choral music as well as hymnals and songbooks for the church market.

Brentwood-Benson Music has the world's largest choral club, offering music designed for all churches, regardless of size or style of music used.

Home to such great series as the Christ Church Choir series, featuring its latest release "Christmas Tapestry," the Ready To Sing series by Russell Mauldin, the Extreme series for youth and the Simple series, Brentwood-Benson has something for everyone. The unique diversity of the Jubilation Label, featuring Black Gospel-style worship, adds to the already large selection of styles they offer.

With a complete line of products for adults, youth and children, Brentwood-Benson constantly strives to positively influence the world through their songs and music.

For more information, visit brentwoodbenson.com.