Donald Trump secures backing of evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr.

Mr Falwell Jr. calls Mr Trump a ’successful executive and entrepreneur’ and a 'wonderful father'

Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr.'s good relations have lasted years (Getty)

Republican candidate Donald Trump has secured the vote of evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr, despite fluffing his biblical references last week.

Mr Falwell, whose Liberty University Mr Trump spoke at this month, said in a statement that Mr Trump is a “successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again”.

The University President's father, Jerry Lamon Falwell Sr., was a Southern Baptist pastor who was known for his stance against homosexuality.

The statement - which has been reported on but not yet officially released - comes as Mr Trump and Ted Cruz are battling in Iowa for the support of social conservatives, according to Washington Post.

Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday about his “honour” to be endorsed by Mr Falwell.

Mr Trump was laughed at on 18 January for misquoting Biblical passage “Two Corinthians”, which should have been “Second Corinthians”, as he was stating how he would “protect Christianity”.

Mr Falwell’s backing also comes one week after Mr Trump was publicly endorsed by evangelical former politician Sarah Palin, who said Mr Trump would ensure that the US “kick ISIS’ ass”.

Mr Falwell thanked the Republican candidate in 2012 for “single-handedly” forcing President Obama to release his birth certificate and prove his citizenship, according to The Daily Beast.

Liberty University in Virginia is an important venue for Republican candidates to win over evangelical Christian voters. Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush and Ben Carson all spoke at the University in 2015.

The University claims it has been “training champions for Christ” since 1971.