ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - On a mission from God.

That’s how many who know embattled Congressman Todd Akin describe the conservative lawmaker.

Akin isn’t shy to talk about his belief in God. In his latest fundraising appeal, Akin says he believes in God and has asked him for forgiveness for what he said about rape and abortion over the weekend.

The Reverend Rick Mathes is executive director of Mission Gate Prison Ministry, where the Congressman serves on the advisory board. Reverend Mathes knows Akin well and says Akin’s strongly held Christian faith influences everything he does.

“He’s lived his fath on his sleeve all his life,” Mathes said. “It’s one-hundred percent, he lives it and breathes it, as I do. I’m an ordained Baptist minister and he’s got a master’s degree from the Covenant Theological Seminary, which is the best in country, in my opinion.”

Mathes says Akin wouldn’t violate his religious beliefs if you shot him.

“Anyone who will listen to him, he will encourage you to restore our country to the Judeo-Christian values on which it was founded.”

Akin is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.