Rudy Giuliani on Sunday defended his presidential campaign strategy of skipping the early voting states and concentrate on the Florida primary on Jan. 29.

"Well, you know, everybody has to have a strategy that fits their strengths, their weaknesses, the places where they can get their message across the best, and we think this is the place for us to get our message across the best," Giuliani told "FOX News Sunday. "After all, this is a state that has a property tax resolution proposition on the ballot on January 29th. I'm the candidate who has had the strongest record as a fiscal conservative, the strongest record as a tax cutter."

Once the front-runner, but now trailing in nationwide polls, the former New York City mayor needs to regain momentum in Florida, where he maintains the lead, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls for the Sunshine State. Giuliani kicked off his must-win campaign in Florida this weekend. 

In a previously unpublicized speech, Giuliani on Sunday spoke to the El Rey Jesus congregation in Miami. El Rey is a 10,000-member evangelical church and one of the largest Hispanic congregations in the country. Giuliani told about 7,000 congregants that he wasn't there to ask for their votes because church wasn't the appropriate place for that. "But I am coming here to ask you for something special and more important. I am asking for your prayers," he said, calling the run for president a "test of strength and a test of faith." He then partially quoted Joshua 10:25, saying "Fear not, be strong and of good courage." Offering his respect for people of faith, he added, "If all the churches were as full as this church, in Florida, in the United States ... we would be a better America."

Speaking to "FOX News Sunday," Giuliani repeated his core message -- that his role after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks makes him uniquely positioned to take an aggressive stance against terrorism, and his role as leader of a city that is larger than many states enables him to manage economic issues.

"I believe that I've been tested in a way that others haven't. I mean, I've had to deal with crisis. I had to deal with crisis in many different ways as mayor of New York City and have proven that I can and that I'm ready to do that. I've had what some people regard as the second toughest job in the United States as mayor of New York City, and I had it during difficult times and had to get extraordinary results, and we accomplished that," he said.Giuliani called GOP rival, Arizona Sen. John McCain, a war hero, but said because of his executive experience, he is better equipped to handle national security issues.

"With all due respect, there's a difference between, you know, being one of 100, being a voice, and then actually being the decision-maker that day in and day out is actually on the line for making those decisions, so you can see the consequences of those decisions. And that may be why Americans more often turn to people with executive experience."Giuliani also denied that the decision this week by staffers on his campaign to work without pay is a sign his campaign is in financial trouble.

"The campaign has enough money to compete here in Florida. We don't know what the other campaigns have. We may have more than some. We're certainly competitive. We have enough money to get our message out," he said.

Former Massacusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci said that Giuliani's plan for Florida will put him on top and position him with the momentum to go into the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday.

"If he wins Florida, he's going to be very competitive ... where you got New York state, winner-take-all with 101 delegates, New Jersey, Connecticut," all states where Giuliani should come out on top, Cellucci said. "The delegates are not really going to be selected in large quantities until we get to February 5th so that is a day that Rudy Giuliani is preparing for ... He may look like a genius February 6th."

FOX News' Julie Kirtz and Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.