Celebrating our Country and Praising our Savior
By Dr. Jack Graham Senior Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
What an amazing milestone to experience next year as we celebrate America250!
This landmark occasion commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. At Prestonwood and Prestonwood Christian Academy, we will highlight this 250th anniversary throughout 2026, honoring the past and looking toward the future.
I love this powerful quote that puts things in perspective for Christians from John Adams, a Founding Father who help draft the Declaration of Independence and served as the second President of the United States. He wrote this to his wife, Abigail, referring to the day that Congress voted on a resolution to declare independence from Great Britain, adopted two days later by the Congress on July 4.
The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
There is no nation on earth that has had a greater Christian beginning than America. This nation was created in the name of God; rooted and founded in belief and faith in almighty God. And our Declaration of Independence is actually a declaration of dependence upon almighty God.
Our nation was born in 1776 and needs to be reborn today. We need for God to move in miraculous power. We need the kind of revival that shakes this nation from sea to shining sea. In order to experience this miracle, we must remember our national heritage – who we are and why we’re here.
It was the great American statesman Daniel Webster who said: “Whatever it is that makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.”
As Christians we should be good citizens, engaging the culture and participating in the governmental processes – in our communities, in Austin and in Washington, D.C. There are those who tell us to stay quiet, to stay in our churches. As long as we stay to ourselves and stay inside the “saltshaker,” as long as the salt doesn’t penetrate society, nobody complains. But when we stand up for Jesus Christ in society, we are confronted with contempt. But how can we not speak up? How can we risk our country’s being ripped apart and away from its foundation?
We are called to be difference makers as we battle for the future of our country, seeking the best for our children and our children’s children. So let us stay focused and engaged as we celebrate this 250th anniversary.
As we commemorate this milestone and show our gratitude and pledge allegiance to our country, let us remember our ultimate allegiance is to the kingdom of God, whose symbol is the triumphant Cross. May we continually praise the One in whom we put our eternal hope.
Event Highlights
In the months leading up to July 4, 2026, we have many patriotic events planned, and we hope you will join us as we celebrate, commemorate, and thank God for America!
Movie Night
Sunday, February 22, 6:00 p.m.
Student Ministry Buillding, Plano Campus
The American Miracle by Michael Medved
Patriot Tour to Washington D.C.
April 22–27, 2026
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday on this unforgettable trip to our nation’s capital led by Senior Pastor Jack Graham! Enjoy special tours of major historic sites that shaped our country, and experience a live Worship Service at the Museum of the Bible.
Turning Point USA “Make Heaven Crowded” Rally
Wednesday, April 29
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Worship Center, Plano Campus
National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7
Join us on this annual day of prayer for America on this special 250th birthday. The theme is “Glorify God among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.”
Patriot Worship Services
Sunday, June 28
“THE FREEDOM GATHERING” PRESTONWOOD CHOIR TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
July 1–6
Senior Pastor Jack Graham & Prestonwood
Highlighted by a special opportunity open to the public!
Friday, July 3, 7:30 p.m.
Trump Kennedy Center
The Prestonwood Worship Choir will take part in a wonderful celebration
of our country’s 250th birthday!
Patriotic Guest Speakers
We are excited to welcome various special guests throughout the year as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Some of our guests include:
Patriot Lunch Series
The Patriot Lunch Series is a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. We have invited some of our nation’s most inspirational speakers and influencers to deliver messages and testimonies which point to the greatness of our country and the promises of faith and freedom. Patriot lunches will provide a weekly gathering with a delicious meal to honor America and renew our love for our nation. Book signings will follow.
Check back soon for online registration.
PLANO CAMPUS
April 9
Coach Joe Kennedy, former Bremerton, Washington high school football coach who won Supreme Court victory for religious freedom
April 16
Darin Kinder, 9/11 survivor and Secret Service agent
April 23
Erick Stakelbeck, host of Stakelbeck Tonight on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
April 30
Mark Hitchcock, Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church, Edmonton, Oklahoma
May 7
Dr. Brent Taylor, Pastor of First Baptist Church at the Fields and member of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program
May 14
Ralph Reed, Founder and Chairman of Faith and Freedom Coalition
North CAMPUS
April 9
Darin Kinder, 9/11 survivor and Secret Service agent
May 7
Erick Stakelbeck, host of Stakelbeck Tonight on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Prestonwood Bookstore America250 Suggested Reading List
These titles have been chosen especially for our America250 commemoration this year and are available at Prestonwood Bookstore.
Books of American Wisdom
Six Pillars: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
By Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston
Each pillar offers theological depth, historical reflection and a call to Gospel-centered action.
True national renewal will not come through political revival, economic expansion or technological progress. It will come through a movement of the Spirit – as men and women repent, believe the Gospel, and follow Christ. The Church holds a message that transcends governments and generations. Jesus Christ is Lord – and He alone brings life, liberty and eternal peace. Let our celebration of America’s 250th year be a launching point for a new wave of Gospel witness.
Ministry Application: America’s Rich Christian Legacy
“… the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will….” —Daniel 4:17
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.…” —Psalm 33:12
As we mark 250 years since the founding of the United States, we begin by acknowledging the providence of God. America is not an accident of history – it is part of the unfolding story of God’s sovereign plan. While we do not claim America is a “chosen nation” in the biblical sense, we affirm that God raises up nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes. This truth invites us to humility, prayer and a deep sense of stewardship. We thank God for His blessings, and we plead with Him for continued mercy and revival in our land.
Historically, no prominent thinkers or politicians bothered to question the seemingly self-evident truth that “God shed His grace” on “America the Beautiful,” as Katharine Lee Bates (a college professor) proclaimed in her beloved 1893 song.
Ministry Application: Religious liberty is a biblical and American birthright.
“For freedom Christ has set us free….” —Galatians 5:1
“… Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s….” —Mark 12:17
One of the defining features of America’s founding was the establishment of religious liberty – something Baptists uniquely championed. Our forebearers suffered imprisonment and persecution so that future generations could freely worship, preach, and live according to Scripture. In celebrating this liberty, we must also recognize its fragility. Cultural pressures, legal battles and rising secularism threaten to marginalize biblical Christianity. We must be courageous and kind stewards of freedom – defending it not only for ourselves, but for all people, and teaching our children that liberty is not a political preference, but a spiritual imperative.
Ministry Application: Truth is not subject to culture. The Bible was the most accessible and authoritative text for 18th-century Americans and must return to prominence today in the life of every American.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” —Proverbs 14:34
While America is not a theocracy, its founding was undeniably shaped by a Judeo-Christian moral framework. The dignity of human life, the equality of all people, the value of justice, and the necessity of moral virtue all have roots in Scripture. As we reflect on the blessings of liberty and justice, we must also recognize the erosion of those very values in our modern culture. A celebration of America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to educate, remember, and recommit to upholding biblical truth in public life – not through force, but by faithful witness.
Ministry Application: National moral clarity requires biblical conviction. The Church must speak truth with grace and courage.
“You are the salt of the earth.… You are the light of the world….” —Matthew 5:13–14
As culture grows more secular and truth more relative, the Church must rise with clarity and courage. We are not called to echo political talking points but to proclaim timeless truth. We speak not only to souls but to systems – standing for life, family, justice and righteousness in the public square. True patriotism includes loving your nation enough to call it to repentance and revival.
In an age of confusion, compromise and polarization, the Church must not be silent. We are called to be salt and light – to influence culture, not imitate it. On issues of life, gender, marriage, justice and salvation, we must proclaim truth without apology and without hatred. As we celebrate America250, let us remember that patriotism is not blind affirmation; it is the loving call to righteousness. Our voice must be marked by conviction and compassion – grounded in the Gospel and saturated with grace. “Moreover, every one of the founding fathers, including those of decidedly unconventional religious faith, believed profoundly that divine providence directed their revolution. If we accord the founders so much insight and wisdom that we explain the nation’s rise with reference to their abilities, then why should we reject their unanimous conclusion that a higher power steered their affairs? — Michael Medved, The American Miracle: Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic (p. 20).
Ministry Application: America needs a revival of the Bible and the Gospel.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.…” —Matthew 28:19
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.…” —Romans 1:16
Political reform cannot save a nation. Only the Gospel can transform hearts. As we honor our country’s legacy, we must recommit to our ultimate mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ. The greatest contribution the Church can make to America’s future is not in policies, but in people – hearts turned to God, homes centered on Christ, and communities filled with redeemed lives. We are called to live out and share the hope of the Gospel boldly, knowing that spiritual renewal is the true path to national renewal.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, it’s vital to remember that no national achievement surpasses the eternal significance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While we honor the sacrifices that have secured our nation’s liberty, we must not forget that spiritual liberty – freedom from sin and death – is found only in Christ. The most loving and patriotic action a believer can take is to share the Good News that Jesus saves.
America has experienced moral decline not because the Church has lost influence in Washington, but because we have too often lost urgency in our neighborhoods. The health of the nation depends more on the vitality of the Church than the authority of the state.
Americans must unite around the principles of American exceptionalism, which respects the creed upon which our nation was founded. The best way to protect America’s greatness, its special claims – its identity, if you will – is to believe in what made us great in the first place. It wasn’t our language. It wasn’t our race. It wasn’t our ethnicity. It was our creed and the belief system that was personified and lived in a culture, our institutions of civil society, and our democratic way of government that made America the greatest nation in the history of all nations and all nationalisms. In a word, it was our belief in ourselves as a good and free people, endowed by our Great Creator with freedom. That’s what made America exceptional. That is a great tradition and culture that should make every American proud.
Ministry Application: Christians should be the most faithful American citizens.
“Our citizenship is in heaven….” —Philippians 3:20
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.…” —Matthew 6:33
While we are thankful citizens of the United States, we are first and foremost citizens of heaven. Our primary allegiance is to Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom.
True patriotism does not idolize America – it intercedes for it, serves it, and seeks its good. But we do so with the eternal perspective that no earthly nation will endure forever. Only the kingdom of God is unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). As faithful witnesses, we serve in both kingdoms – honoring our nation while living for the world to come.
This pillar reminds us:
As we celebrate 250 years of American history, we affirm our gratitude and engage as good citizens – but always as followers of Christ first, looking toward the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).
This mindset doesn’t pull us away from public life – it empowers us to engage with conviction, compassion and eternal purpose. America is a gift, but Christ is our glory. Nations rise and fall, but the kingdom of God endures forever.
Conclusion: As we prepare as a church family to honor America250, let these six pillars anchor our celebrations, sermons and service. We honor our heritage not to look backward, but to move forward with renewed Gospel purpose – shining the light of Christ in this generation and the next.
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