WASHINGTON, D.C.—Churches across the United States are gearing up for a national simulcast July 11, to educate voters on the issue of same-sex marriage.

According to the Christian Examiner and Baptist Press, the Family Research Council and Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is co-sponsoring the simulcast in association with Focus on the Family, National Association of Evangelicals and SkyAngel as a part of "Protect Marriage Sunday."

Pro-family organizations are encouraging pastors to preach on marriage on the morning of July 11 and for churches to host the marriage simulcast that evening. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to debate the Federal Marriage Amendment beginning July 12.

The simulcast, which is titled "The Battle for Marriage: Imminent Vote," will originate from Bellevue Baptist Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn., and air on SkyAngel, Sun., July 11, 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time and re-air July 12, 3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. and July 13, 8 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Confirmed speakers for the event are Focus on the Family Chairman James Dobson, Prison Fellowship Chairman Charles Colson and Washington state pastor Ken Hutcherson, who organized a large pro-marriage rally in May in Seattle. Bellevue Pastor Adrian Rogers and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins also will appear.

The simulcast is the first of three to be held during the next four months. The others will be Aug. 29 from Louisville, Ky., and Oct. 24 at a site yet to be announced. The August simulcast, titled "Reconnecting God and Government," will include Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Wellington Boone, founder of the Fellowship of International Churches. Confirmed to speak during the October simulcast, titled "Every Vote Counts," are ERLC President Richard Land and radio talk-show host Janet Parshall.