ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) _ President Barack Obama says he’s a “Christian by choice.”

Obama says he became a Christian as an adult because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to him, and because he came to believe that Jesus died for his sins.

Obama discussed his faith in response to a question Tuesday during a discussion with residents in a small farming town south of Albuquerque, N.M.

The president said he believes salvation is by God’s grace, but he also tries to see God in others and do his best to help them. Obama said he prays daily that he can do that, and views his public service as an expression of his Christian faith.

A recent Pew Forum poll found that many Americans believed Obama was a Muslim.