With just a week to go before the GOP's first# contest of the 2024 pres republican candidates are crisscrossing# the first-in-the-nation caucus state,## hoping to court a key voting bloc.

Freezing temperatures didn't slow down Sunday# services at the First Church of God in Des Moines.

Pastor Charles Hundley, First# Church of God: The heart of## God has Where Pastor Charles Hundley delivered# a message PASTOR CHARLES HUNDLEY: It doesn't matter, lord,## what our opinion is.

It's really wha given us the privilege of being able to# exercise a beautiful gift, the gift to vote.

AMNA NAWAZ: In recent election cycles,## nearly two-thirds of Repub once again be critical to determining# who wins the GOP contest next week.

In a recent Des Moines Register/NBC News Iowa# poll, former President Donald Trump was their## overwhelming favorite, garnering support from# more than 50 percent of Republican evangelicals,## 25 points ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

CINDY CAREY, Church Attendee: I am going to# be for Trump all the way.

That's just me.

AMNA NAWAZ: Trump's support was# on display in church yesterday,## where Cindy Carey drew a distinction between# Trump's personal l CINDY CAREY: I wouldn't vote for him as my# pastor.

I want him to lead our nation back## to that city on a hill, that shining city# on a hill.

He supports life.

He is somebody## who loves America.

He wants us to have# closed borders, so we can be a nation.

AMNA NAWAZ: Trump took up that message# as he barnstormed Iowa over the weekend,## hitting the Biden administration for# record border crossings last month.

DONALD TRUMP, Former President of# the United States (R) and Current## the world.

They are invading# us, like a military invasion.

AMNA NAWAZ: And despite his lead, he# turned his ire towards h DONALD TRUMP: Nikki would sell# you out just like she sold me out.

AMNA NAWAZ: Just weeks after former South# Carolina Governo for not mentioning slavery as the cause of the# Civil War, Trump's own comments drew backlash.

DONALD TRUMP: The Civil War was so fascinating,# so horrible.

So many mistakes were made.

See,## there was something I think could have# been negotiated, to be honest with you.

NIKKI HALEY (R), Presidential Candidate: The sky## AMNA NAWAZ: Haley also campaigned in Iowa as she# battles with DeSantis to be the Trump alternative,## and she dismissed Trump's attacks# on the campaign trail and airwaves.

NIKKI HALEY: God bless President Trump.# He's been on a temper tantrum every day## about me talking about things, and# everything he's saying is not true.

AMNA NAWAZ: DeSantis made his own# closing pitch over the weekend.

GOV.

RON DESANTIS (R-FL), Presidential# Candidate: The choice on the Donald Trump is running for his issues.

Nikki# Haley is runni running for your issues and your family's# issues and to turn this country around.

AMNA NAWAZ: But Trump continued# his campaign of grievance politics,## telling voters that he's fighting on their behalf.

DONALD TRUMP: They want to silence me because I# will never l they're not after me.

They're after you.

I# just happened to be standing in their way.

AMNA NAWAZ: It's that message that resonates# with many of the critical evan like Ron Betts, who is planning# to support Trump next week.

RON BETTS, Church Attendee: I just think he# exemplifies everything that Jesus wo if he was here.

In fact, I think they are doing# the same thing they did to