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Faith Month Archives – Concerned Women for America

Faith Month in the U.S. Congress

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Can Christianity and public office go together? These eight legislators give a resounding “yes.”

 

This week, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee is pleased to highlight legislators who proactively declared their faith in honor of the second annual celebration of Faith Month. We are especially grateful for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) and Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois), who took the lead for the second year in a row.

 

Rep. Miller gathered fellow legislators to discuss Faith Month on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. In her own remarks, she laid out how faith benefits society. Fundamentally, she said, “A happy family is a blessing from God and is foundational to human flourishing.” At the level of community, she highlighted how we benefit from the actions of people of faith: “Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement in helping the poor, the sick, and the afflicted, and they should be appreciated.” Sen. Hyde-Smith recognized religious Americans who responded to great material need following the devastating natural disasters in Mississippi. According to Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, young adult Christians “are much more active in donating their finances” compared to non-Christians.”

Penny Nance and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

What about faith itself? Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tennessee) shared the meaning of faith in Christianity. Citing Hebrews 11:1, she said, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” She said, “Faith knows that no matter what the situation is in our life or someone else’s life that the Lord is working within that situation for their good and His glory. Perfect faith is simply taking God at His word.” Rep. Rick Allen (R-Georgia) reinforced these comments by referencing how Christ provides a “life-changing source of eternal hope which sustains our faith.” He also pointed to examples in Scripture, like Abraham’s faith in God when he was directed to sacrifice Isaac, and Jesus’ call for faith from the disciples after he calmed the storm. Rep. Allen leads the Prayer Caucus, and on the floor, he encourages anyone listening to submit prayer requests. You can find that form here.

This is the kind of faith we pray every person receives, especially our elected leaders. We agree with Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), who joined in Faith Month remarks and recognized that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn,” citing Proverbs 29:2. Righteous leadership is the fruit of faith.

 

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) provided a history of religious freedom in America in remarks reflecting his background as a constitutional lawyer and instructor. He explained how the phrase “separation of church and state” appears nowhere in the Constitution. Rather, it is a phrase from a letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802. Jefferson was not advocating for government to be walled off from influence by faith – he was advocating for faith to have protection from government coercion. As Rep. Johnson said, “The Founders wanted to protect the church from an encroaching state, not the other way around.”

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) also explained, “Over 400 years ago, settlers fled religious persecution in search of the New World, and the Bible became the cornerstone of our Founding … I see little by little, day by day, these religious liberties are in danger of being canceled or abandoned because of persecution in government at all levels.”

 

As a nation, we are better off if we are a more faithful people. And as Christians, we believe that lives are literally saved when we share our faith with neighbors. Sadly, over one in four (27%) Americans do not affiliate with a religion. There is a steep cost to cutting faith out of the public square. People do not think about what they do not hear or see.

 

Public displays can help shape our culture for the better. Wix, a website design company, depends on visual imagery for its business. It recognizes that “Symbols are often a part of our collective consciousness. Whether they appear as specific shapes, images, or written marks, they have universal meanings and associations.” Public displays of faith thus make it possible to ingrain the idea of faith in our collective conscience, which serves people better. We are grateful that Mississippians Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Rep. Michael Guest (R) made a public declaration of faith by posting a Christian flag in front of their congressional offices in Washington, D.C. “I hope that this flag will serve as a light to all those who visit our nation’s capitol,” Rep. Guest said.

 

Rep. Bob Good (R-Virginia) said it best when he stated, “America had been blessed in large part because of our dependence upon the Lord, our dependence on divine intervention, a dependence on guidance from our Creator.” At Concerned Women for America, we are encouraged by these legislators and hope you are, too. Please continue to pray for our leaders to have faith in Christ and seek to do His will as they carry the burden of public office. We are committed to standing up for our faith and must spur one another on to do the same.

Two Flags We Ought to Fly

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By Sierra M. Welch, YWA Ambassador at North Central University

 

In the United States of America, we have the honor and privilege to live in a country that has been founded on the fundamental understanding that every human life has inherent meaning, worth, and value. Our constitution declares our right as individuals to peaceful protest, to freedom of speech, and to freedom to worship as we please. Wondrously, the Declaration of Independence promotes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

As I turn my eyes heavenward, I long to see the flag of the Christian faith and the American flag proudly flying high, reminding every American of the glorious and awe-inspiring freedom that we hold, especially the freedom to worship God as people of faith in Christ. 

 

This reality is not known to every individual throughout the world. Not only do many countries not see these rights as necessary or inherent, but there is little religious liberty. Bold Christian faith is often offered the kiss of ostracism, harsh hostility, and even death. Where there is a melting pot of gods, worldviews, and religions, often there are very few churches proclaiming the Gospel and hope of Jesus Christ due to the hostility towards those of the Christian faith. Not only can there be safety concerns, but there is great spiritual depravity, darkness, and hopelessness without the sweet knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

As we wrestle with the reality that there is great need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed across every nation, tribe, and tongue, may we praise God for the captivating liberty we have in America. This delightful freedom has been fought for a thousand times over by brave men and women since the genesis of the United States. May this sacrifice never be forgotten as we hoist up our flags through wind, rain, and sunshine. 

Join In! Tell Your Church Leaders About Faith Month

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Here is a sample email/letter you can use to let your pastors and church leaders about Faith Month:

 

Dear ______________,

 

 

As we get ready to celebrate the glorious Truth of Easter, I wanted to let you know that the whole month of April has been set aside for communities to celebrate their faith. A Federal Congressional statement has been officially introduced in the last couple of years declaring April “Faith Month.” I would love for our church family to become more aware of this so we can use the opportunity to be salt and light to our community.

 

I learned about the initiative from Concerned Women for America (CWA), a Christian organization encouraging its members to fly the Christian flag in their homes and on their desks and car windows. “Faith Month” encourages people of all faiths to celebrate their beliefs, but the initiative presents an excellent opportunity for us as Christians to bring a positive message of our love of God and neighbor and the fact that we are “not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” (Romans 1:16).

 

This is so needed in our day and age when so many in the media insist on maligning the name of the body of Christ. The recent tragedy in Nashville brought this to the forefront so heartbreakingly. When the news broke that a transgender person had murdered three nine-year-old kids, including the daughter of a Christian pastor, and three staff members at a Christian school, Reuters had this headline: “Former Christian school student kills three children, three staff in Nashville shooting.” They want the public to associate Christianity with the killer, not the victims, even in such a blatant case.

 

I am not surprised. This is what our Lord told us would happen, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). But Jesus did not give up on us, and so I feel we cannot give up on our culture either. We need to continue to lift the banner of faith in Christ that all may come and thirst no more. Faith Month gives us a great opportunity to do just that, and I hope we can contribute to the global effort in any small way we can.

 

I stand here ready to help in any way, so please do contact me with any thoughts and/or requests.

 

Praying for you and the church leadership,

 

Faith Month vs. Pride Month

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Penny Nance, Concerned Women for America’s CEO and President, joined mcrTV to discuss CWA’s Faith Month initiative. Watch Penny’s interview below.

Play Video

Wondrous Working Faith

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I did not expect such a small church to have such a massive impact on me. Yet, the visit was the highlight of my church history studies at Oxford a few summers ago. It was a nondescript building halfway covered by a house right in front to its left side. The uncovered right half featured a driveway (fitting maybe four cars?) that led to the entrance. Frankly, you feel as if you are walking through somebody else’s driveway before you are unexpectedly greeted by what has the appearance of a church only due to its peaked triangular-shaped roof. I was perplexed.

 

Just days before, I had visited the tremendous Metropolitan Tabernacle where Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as the “Prince of Preachers,” pastored for over 38 years, reaching thousands. Though the original building was burned down, what you visit today was rebuilt along the original perimeter. It seats about 6,000, and it is impressive.

 

But the small church at 12A Artillery St., Colchester, in Essex, the East of England, caught me off guard. There was no big parking lot…

 

Click here to read the rest of Mario’s exclusive Substack column. And be sure to subscribe below to never miss one of his posts again!

Fly Your Christian Flag During April – “Faith Month”

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“The LBGTQ community took June as ‘Pride Month.’ Each June, we just have to put up with it. But instead of being grouchy Christians and complaining, let’s do something about it. Join Concerned Women for America as we make April ‘Faith Month’ – and raise your Christian flag in honor of faith and freedom.”


Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America (CWA)

How does it make you feel when the Gay Pride flag waves over your community’s City Hall … our nation’s State Department … local police headquarters … your child’s school?

 

I am determined to not just be irritated or even angry when I see the rainbow flag flying. I am committed to standing up for my faith. 

 

Last year, the right to display the Christian flag in public was challenged in the Supreme Court. A Christian group asked the city of Boston to fly a Christian flag over City Hall. Boston’s city hall is quite prolific in its flag display. They have flown 300 different flags at City Hall and had never previously denied a request, but they draw the proverbial line at the Christian flag. The Christian group argued before the Supreme Court that the city’s refusal to grant the request violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech. I could not agree more. And so did the Supreme Court!

 

Please stand with me on this.

I ask you to fly or display the Christian flag during the week before Easter and on Easter Sunday, April 2-9.

 

You can order a Christian flag from CWA for a suggested donation here.

  • We have a 4”x6” Christian flag window sticker for your home, car, or office window.
  • A 4”x6” flag is perfect for your desk or tabletop.
  • You can order a 3’x5’ flag to fly from your porch.
  • You can get an oversized 4’x6’ Christian flag for your flagpole.

 

I will pray you will be part of this bold opportunity to fly the flag in honor of your Christian faith.

 

Penny Nance

 

“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Nance in Christian Post: Flying the Flag of Our Faith

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Nance’s latest Op-ed in the Christian Post encourages Christians to take part in “Faith Month,” Concerned Women for America‘s initiative for people of faith to display the Christian flag. 

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encouraged His followers to “[L]et your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” By making our faith known to others, and flying the flag of our faith, we are committed to following those words.

Read the latest from Penny Nance, Concerned Women for America‘s CEO and President, here.

Faith Month Initiative Launched in the Nation’s Capital

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For Immediate Release
April 5, 2022
Contact: Katie Everett, Press Secretary
keverett@cwfa.org
571-420-2488

Sen. Hyde-Smith and Rep. Miller Submit Proclamation into the Record

Washington, D.C. –  Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) launched a nationwide initiative to declare April as “Faith Month” and an opportunity to honor the religious heritage of millions of Americans. Joining in this effort are Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) and Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois), who entered a proclamation into the official congressional record (here and here) to declare April as “Faith Month.” Rep. Miller also gave a floor speech in support of CWALAC’s initiative.

More than 70% of Americans consider themselves religiously affiliated, according to Pew Research, and the overwhelming majority are of the Christian faith. Many months are set aside to honor the heritage and important contributions of other groups. With so many Americans identified as religious, setting aside a month to honor them is an important movement. 

Along with calling on lawmakers at the federal and state level to recognize April as Faith Month, CWALAC is encouraging all Americans of faith across the country to fly or display the Christian flag during the month.

“We are proud of our faith, of our Judeo-Christian heritage, and are calling on Americans to show their support,” said Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America.  “April is the month when millions will be celebrating the holiest time of the year through Holy Week, Easter, and Passover, and it is an opportune time to show how important our faith is to our daily lives.

“We especially thank Sen. Hyde-Smith and Rep. Miller for being the first to stand with us!”

Numerous groups are recognized for a month to celebrate their heritage. For instance, June is designated Gay Pride Month, which results in the rainbow flag being flown in many places, including over U.S. embassies and on our government buildings.

The country’s founding documents and laws are based on moral principles that came from the Bible. All U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Joe Biden, have acknowledged America’s faith and our many blessings from God.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encouraged his followers to “[L]et your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  By making our faith known to others, flying the flag of our faith, we are committed to following those words. 

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Concerned Women for America is the Nation’s largest public policy organization for women; we are dedicated to promoting Biblical values and Constitutional principles. More information is available at ConcernedWomen.org