Optimism is sweeping across America as more citizens believe the country is heading in the right direction than at any point in the past 16 years. This remarkable shift in national sentiment—surpassing even the Obama years—comes despite relentless negative media coverage and speaks volumes about the tangible improvements Americans are experiencing in their everyday lives.

Faith is experiencing a powerful resurgence nationwide, with mass baptisms capturing headlines from coast to coast. Florida recently witnessed nearly 2,000 people baptized in a single day at Hannah Park Beach, following last year's event where 1,600 people took the same step of faith. Meanwhile, California saw over 7,700 baptisms at Huntington Beach in a coordinated effort involving 500 churches. These aren't merely religious events—they represent a deepening spiritual awakening that crosses denominational lines, with a nationwide "Baptize America" event scheduled for June 8th.

The protection of children is gaining momentum as Alabama successfully defended its ban on gender transition procedures for minors. When challenged to present evidence in court, the state assembled such compelling medical and scientific data that several progressive organizations, including the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center, dropped their lawsuit rather than have this evidence entered into the public record. Simultaneously, even California's Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed redirecting $1.6 billion—one-third of Planned Parenthood's state budget—to address fiscal challenges, potentially reducing abortion access significantly.

We're also witnessing the Trump administration take decisive action through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who revoked Harvard University's certification for enrolling international students due to the institution's alleged coordination with Chinese Communist Party officials. This move represents a strategic shift in approaching universities that may inadvertently facilitate foreign influence operations undermining American interests.

From NFL draft picks openly expressing their faith to Texas approving a pro-life monument for the State Capitol grounds, these developments collectively signal a cultural transformation that extends far beyond politics. Take heart and share these encouraging stories—they're proof that positive change is happening across America right now.

Support the show

https://www.patriotacademy.com/institute/

The Constitution's boundaries are invisible but profoundly shape American life—as powerfully demonstrated in our exploration of three critical questions where individuals, states, and federal authority collide.

When a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma found itself blocked by a 4-4 Supreme Court deadlock, it revealed more than just another church-state case. David Barton takes us behind the scenes into Oklahoma's political tensions and the troubling constitutional distortion that allows federal courts to dictate state education policy despite the Constitution providing no federal education authority whatsoever. The 10th Amendment's reservation of powers to states has been steadily eroded through troubling precedents, leaving religious expression particularly vulnerable.

The battle over federal land continues as Trump's administration proposes returning 1.5 million acres to Utah and Nevada. Most Americans don't realize that 87% of Nevada isn't truly "Nevada" at all—it's federally controlled land, despite promises made over a century ago to return these territories to state management when they achieved statehood. While some hunters and outdoorsmen express concern about losing access, the hosts persuasively argue that state-level management provides better stewardship, local accountability, and honors America's constitutional framework.

Perhaps most relevant to everyday American life, we tackle the question of religious expression in private businesses. Can you freely preach your faith in someone else's coffee shop? The nuanced answer explores the tension between First Amendment freedoms and property rights, helping listeners understand when constitutional protections apply and when they don't. The key distinction lies in whether a business has established itself as a "public accommodation" and how disruptive the speech becomes.

Throughout these discussions runs a powerful thread—that rights come with responsibilities. Understanding these constitutional principles allows us to navigate complex social interactions with respect for both individual liberty and the rule of law. Your questions about America's founding principles matter, and we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

Support the show

https://thenazarenefund.org/

The extraordinary work of The Nazarene Fund unfolds across the world's darkest corners, where religious persecution transforms ordinary believers into targets. This eye-opening conversation with David Jacobs reveals the organization's decade-long mission to rescue, rebuild, and restore lives shattered by extremism.

Founded in 2015 as ISIS swept through Iraq marking Christian homes with the Arabic symbol "Nun" (for Nazarene) before systematic executions, The Nazarene Fund has evolved into a global operation saving thousands from religious persecution. David Barton and Tim Barton, who serve on the organization's board, explain how they've expanded beyond Christian rescues to help Yazidis, moderate Muslims, and women targeted by regimes like the Taliban.

The scale of their impact is breathtaking. During Afghanistan's fall, The Nazarene Fund evacuated over 9,500 people by aircraft—interpreters who had supported American troops, judges, legislators, and activists suddenly marked for death. Today, many have successfully rebuilt their lives in countries like Brazil and the United States, including one interpreter's son who just graduated from high school as a star soccer player.

Perhaps most heartbreaking is their ongoing search for approximately 2,800 Yazidi women still missing after ISIS kidnappings. The Nazarene Fund continues finding 6-12 annually, rescuing women who were abducted as children and subjected to years of sexual slavery. Their work extends to disrupting organ harvesting operations in Nigeria and Turkey, where Christians are killed for organs that fetch up to $250,000 per victim on black markets.

Unlike many humanitarian organizations, The Nazarene Fund operates through local partners rather than American teams, working with Kurdish Muslims and others who oppose extremism to conduct dangerous rescue missions. Every donated dollar goes directly to operations—"downrange" as they call it—with administrative costs covered through separate fundraising efforts.

For those wanting to make a tangible difference in the lives of persecuted religious minorities worldwide, supporting The Nazarene Fund offers an opportunity to truly save lives. Visit TheNazareneFund.org to learn more about their mission and how you can help transform the mark of death into a symbol of hope for those most vulnerable.

Support the show

The foundational right of parents to direct their children's education and upbringing stands at the center of a brewing constitutional showdown. A landmark case making its way to the Supreme Court could redefine the relationship between government authority and family sovereignty for generations to come.

At stake is what many are calling the "opt-out fake-out" case, where parents were initially promised the ability to remove their children from controversial gender ideology instruction, only to have that option revoked. While the case could be narrowly decided on religious liberty grounds, our discussion explores the compelling reasons for the Court to recognize broader parental rights that would protect all families, regardless of faith tradition.

What makes this battle particularly noteworthy is the unusual coalition it's creating. As Marc Wheat, General Counsel for Advancing American Freedom explains, conservative Christians find themselves standing alongside Jews, Muslims, and even secular liberals who recognize that government overreach threatens a fundamental principle: parents know their children best and should determine what values they're taught. Even Justice Elena Kagan observed during oral arguments that "a lot of non-religious parents weren't thrilled" about explicit materials being presented to children.

The discussion traces parental rights to their origins in natural law - predating the Constitution itself - while examining how these rights face mounting challenges both domestically and internationally. From Germany's prohibition on homeschooling to the United Kingdom's arrests of silent prayer participants, we explore how liberties can erode unless each generation actively defends them.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that protecting parental authority isn't merely a conservative or religious issue - it's about preserving one of America's most fundamental freedoms. Whether you're raising children now or simply care about constitutional liberties, you'll find this exploration of parental rights both timely and essential.

Support the show

https://healthyveterans.org/

This Memorial Day, we're joined by two-star General Bob Dees for a profound conversation about honoring the fallen while serving those still carrying the invisible wounds of war.

As we explore the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, we uncover something even more crucial – the "iceberg below the waterline" of veteran suffering that extends far beyond the names carved in memorial stones. When a self-described "Vietnam widow" explained that her husband "didn't die in Vietnam, but came home with an expiration date" before taking his own life, we're reminded that the toll of war continues long after combat ends.

General Dees shares the remarkable work happening at Healthy Veterans in Virginia, where a comprehensive nine-month program provides healing for veterans battling PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and moral injury. Through a combination of community support, dignified work, faith-based trauma recovery, emotional regulation training, and career preparation, veterans find new purpose on a beautiful 339-acre property complete with equine therapy and what the Japanese call "forest bathing." Just two weeks before our conversation, a veteran who had been driving 100 miles per hour looking for a tree to crash into found their facility instead – and is now on a path to recovery.

We also discuss the changing landscape of military leadership under the current administration, including the promising "Golden Dome" initiative that applies Israeli Iron Dome-like technology to protect American cities and strategic assets. Using advanced systems capable of "hitting a bullet with a bullet," this approach represents a new era in national defense.

Whether you've served in uniform, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand the true meaning of Memorial Day, this episode offers essential perspective on how we honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion – by caring for those still fighting battles within.

Do you have a story to share? Let us know and help spread the word about resources like healthyveterans.org that are saving lives every day.

Support the show

President Trump is reshaping America's cultural and strategic landscape with remarkable speed, taking bold action to reclaim institutions that had drifted from their original purposes. At the Kennedy Center, once the epitome of American artistic excellence, Trump has orchestrated a dramatic transformation by installing a new leadership team including Lee Greenwood and Floyd Brown after years of programming that catered to niche audiences rather than mainstream Americans.

The revamped Kennedy Center is already announcing family-friendly performances including orchestral accompaniments to classic films like The Wizard of Oz and musicals that appeal to broad audiences. This cultural reset comes alongside the discovery of concerning financial irregularities – $26 million in "phantom revenue" in previous budgets – raising questions about how federal funds were being managed at this prestigious institution.

On the economic front, inflation continues its downward trajectory, reaching its lowest levels since February 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual inflation rate at 2.3% in April, with substantial decreases in both gasoline prices (down 12% over 12 months) and food costs. These positive trends are emerging before major economic policies have been implemented, suggesting growing market confidence.

Perhaps most strategically significant is the resolution of Chinese influence over the Panama Canal. Following Trump's February announcement that America would "take back" this crucial maritime passage, diplomatic efforts led by Marco Rubio have successfully removed Chinese operational control and established joint US-Panama military exercises to secure this vital trade route. This decisive action preserves America's ability to move naval assets quickly between oceans – a capability established through tremendous sacrifice and investment over a century ago.

The administration has also formally reinstated Columbus Day, pushing back against historical revisionism that had sought to erase this traditional American observance. This decision reflects a commitment to honest historical assessment rather than politically-motivated narratives that fail to acknowledge the complexities of history.

Want to dive deeper into accurate American history? Visit wallbuilders.com for resources that cut through ideological distortions and present our nation's story with integrity and balance.

Support the show

What happens when Christians retreat from public life? The vacuum never stays empty. Today's episode explores a controversial planned Muslim community in Dallas, raising profound questions about religious freedom within constitutional boundaries.

At the heart of this discussion lies a critical observation: as Christian influence has diminished in many communities over decades, other religious groups have naturally stepped into leadership positions. Concerns arise when religious communities potentially create parallel governments operating outside constitutional authority.

The founding fathers crafted a brilliant framework that allowed for religious diversity while maintaining national cohesion. They recognized that morality requires objective standards, and after examining all religious traditions, concluded that biblical principles produced the most beneficial results for society. Even Thomas Jefferson, often mischaracterized as anti-religious, affirmed Jesus as the greatest moral teacher and created simplified gospel compilations to introduce Native Americans to Christ's teachings.

David and Tim Barton meticulously dismantle common misconceptions about Jefferson's religious views, explaining that his much-maligned "Jefferson Bible" wasn't rejecting miracles but creating accessible introductions for those unfamiliar with Christianity. This historical clarity matters because attacks on founders like Jefferson are often strategic attempts to undermine America's constitutional foundations.

The solution isn't limiting religious expression but encouraging Christians to reengage with civic institutions. When people of faith participate fully in local government, education, and cultural leadership, they help maintain the distinctive American balance that has allowed religious freedom to flourish within ordered liberty.

Join us in exploring these foundational principles that remain vital for preserving America's unique constitutional vision. Have questions about the founders? Send them to [email protected] for consideration on a future show.

Support the show

https://americanjourneyexperience.com/

https://mercuryone.org/

A remarkable shift is sweeping across America as citizens rediscover their nation's true history and founding principles. This renewed enthusiasm couldn't come at a better time, with the 250th anniversary of American independence on the horizon.

JP Decker, executive director of Mercury One and American Journey Experience, joins us to discuss how this convergence of presidential support, organizational readiness, and public hunger for authentic history creates unprecedented opportunities. "God has been preparing us for this moment," Decker explains, highlighting how years of groundwork are now bearing fruit as Americans seek deeper understanding of their heritage.

What makes their approach unique is the hands-on connection to history they provide. While most museums keep artifacts behind glass, Mercury One's collection of over 100,000 historical items allows visitors to physically hold Revolution-era muskets or George Washington's personal compass. This tangible link transforms abstract historical concepts into visceral experiences that foster deeper understanding and connection.

Beyond preserving America's history, Mercury One demonstrates private sector solutions far outperform government agencies in addressing national challenges. Their disaster relief efforts consistently arrive before FEMA, partner effectively with local churches, and ensure 100% of donations reach affected communities. From tornado recovery across multiple states to rebuilding homes in North Carolina and Hawaii, they exemplify the American tradition of community-based solutions.

Their educational initiatives—family seminars, teacher conferences, and the Summer Institute for young adults—provide comprehensive historical education rooted in original documents. Meanwhile, their digital preservation efforts are making authentic historical resources accessible to anyone committed to personal research.

As the 250th anniversary approaches, spanning 14 months beginning in 2025, Americans have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in rediscovering their heritage. This celebration will feature thousands of community events nationwide that educate as much as they commemorate—not just fireworks and hot dogs, but a genuine reconnection with the exceptional nature of the American experiment.

How will you engage with America's story? Visit mercuryone.org to support disaster relief or americanjourneyexperience.com to join their historical education initiatives.

Support the show

Summit.org

The traditional path to higher education is being reimagined as faith-based gap year programs emerge as powerful alternatives to conventional college experiences. This eye-opening conversation reveals how programs like Summit Ministries and Patriot Academy are creating immersive educational models that develop biblical worldview foundations while helping young people discover their vocational calling.

Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries shares startling statistics that challenge our assumptions about higher education's value proposition: less than 27% of college graduates find employment in their specific degree field, while accumulating significant debt and often facing worldview challenges. The Summit gap year offers a compelling alternative—a structured program where students develop critical thinking skills, theological foundations, and participate in vocational internships while earning transferable college credit.

What makes these programs particularly remarkable is their holistic approach to education. Rather than simply acquiring information, students learn how to evaluate ideas, maintain their conscience amid opposing viewpoints, and discover meaningful vocational pathways. The emphasis on practical experience through internships and mentorship creates opportunities for genuine discernment about future direction.

The digital landscape presents unique challenges for today's youth, with social media algorithms deliberately monetizing anger and shaping worldviews. Myers provides practical wisdom for navigating these influences, emphasizing that young people don't need perfect answers to every challenge they encounter. Instead, they can maintain a grounded confidence in truth while continuing to learn.

Whether you're a parent exploring educational options for your child, a young person seeking direction without the debt and potential indoctrination of traditional college, or someone interested in cultural trends, this conversation offers fresh perspective on education's purpose and potential. These growing alternatives represent a return to founding principles—preparing young people not just academically, but developing the character and wisdom needed for meaningful contribution to society.

Support the show

https://baptize.org/

A spiritual tidal wave is rolling across America's shores, beginning at California's beaches and now reaching every corner of the country. What started as one pastor's vision has exploded into a nationwide movement uniting hundreds of churches across denominational lines.

Pastor Mark Francey shares the remarkable story of how a simple prompting led him to organize what would become the largest coordinated baptism events in recent American history. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary—from 4,166 baptisms in 2022 to over 7,700 people baptized in a single day at Huntington Beach this April.

The movement's genius lies in its simplicity. Baptism, as Francey notes, is "big enough for all of us to agree on," allowing Baptist, Pentecostal, evangelical, and other churches to set aside theological differences and come together around this fundamental Christian practice. This unity fulfills Jesus' prayer in John 17 that believers would be "one as we are one."

Perhaps most surprising is where this revival is flourishing. Beyond California's beaches, secular college campuses like the University of Kentucky and University of Arkansas have become unexpected epicenters, with thousands of students attending revival meetings and choosing to be baptized. This generational engagement suggests something deeper than a momentary spiritual fad.

The timing feels significant amid America's cultural and political divisions. "Darkness and the devil always overplays his hand," Francey observes, creating what he calls a "righteous rebellion" where standing for biblical values becomes the true counterculture. "You want to be a rebel? In the 60s it was drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Now it's righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Ready to be part of what could be the largest synchronized baptism in American history? Churches across all fifty states are joining together on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. Whether you're seeking baptism or want your church to participate, visit baptizeamerica.com to join this historic movement.

Support the show