Cindy McCain... is an official Baptist. She was baptized at the Phoenix church [North Phoenix Baptist Church] in 1991, two years before [Rev. Dan] Yeary became pastor. The couple has attended faithfully since, the pastor said, as have their children -- although they too have not joined or been baptized.

Yeary said McCain and then-pastor Richard Jackson had a conversation about membership and baptism when Cindy McCain joined the church. Likewise, Yeary said he continues to talk with the senator about his membership. Yeary did not reveal the details, but said the dialogue is ongoing.

“You have to be baptized by immersion to be a member [of North Phoenix],” Yeary said. “John and I have dialogued about that. … John is an Episcopalian, and he and his family attend North Phoenix Baptist Church when he is in town.”

Neither McCain’s Senate office nor his presidential campaign responded to an ABP reporter’s request for clarification about why he has not chosen to join North Phoenix Baptist.

In an interview last year with InsideCatholic.com, an on-line Catholic forum, McCain said he attends North Phoenix Baptist because he likes Yeary's "message of reconciliation and redemption, which I'm a great believer in." He added: “… I'm grateful for the spiritual advice and counsel that I continue to get from Pastor Dan Yeary."...

Over the years, Yeary said, the McCain family has “called me at times of family challenge,” such as illnesses and hospitalizations. Yeary performed the funerals for both of Cindy McCain’s parents. Her father was a wealthy beer magnate, serving as the West Coast distributor for Anheuser-Busch.

When Cindy McCain spoke at her father’s funeral, Yeary said, he got a glimpse of her public role. “This lady would be a very poised, confident, effective first lady. Her testimony rang true,” he said.