Chancellor Jonathan Falwell encourages Christians to ‘stand together as one’ at Rededicate 250

As celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary continue across the country, Liberty University Chancellor Jonathan Falwell and dozens of students participated in Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 17, joining thousands in the nation’s capital for worship, prayer, testimony, and a renewed dedication to our founding principles as One Nation Under God.

The celebration was presented by Freedom 250. (For more information, visit the Freedom 250 website.)

Falwell, senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, was among a large list of notable faith leaders who spoke at the event. The Liberty Worship Collective and LU Praise (59 students and staff members) performed in the afternoon. The free event was held on the National Mall from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Today we see division in our nation,” Falwell said. “We see anger and contempt, we see brother against brother and sister against sister. We know that this cannot stand, this is one nation under God. While we come from many places, many traditions, our beliefs may differ, our practices may not be the same, we stand together today as one nation to remember, that God is our very refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”

“Let us come together in our shared desire for this nation to once again become that shining city on a hill,” he added. “Let us see one another not as foes or enemies but as partners in this great experiment which is America. Let us gather to discuss our differences, let us debate ideas, but in the end to stand together as one.”

Other featured speakers, worship leaders, and faith voices for the event included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Senior Pastor of Free Chapel Jentezen Franklin, Christian speaker and podcast host Sadie Robertson Huff, worship leader Chris Tomlin, Dr. Ben Carson, and author Eric Metaxas. President of Samaritan’s Purse Franklin Graham, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are slated to speak via video message.

The event celebrated the founding ideals that propelled America to overcome the strongest empire on earth and assert independence as a self-governing nation where all people are created equal. The celebration focused on praising God for his presence throughout America’s first 250 years and asking for His guidance for the next 250. Speakers encouraged listeners to give thanks to God, celebrate America’s Christian heritage, and pray for revival across the nation.

“The rededication of America was momentous and to get an invitation to sing at this historic event was amazing,” said LU Praise member Brock Kluver. “Everyone that we worked with was kind and professional. The whole day seemed surreal and I was so thankful to be a part of it. It was an honor to be on that stage, let alone sing on it. Getting to witness such a powerful moment of the people of America coming together to praise the Lord in corporate worship, was absolutely, one hundred percent unforgettable. I love being a part of LU Praise and working with LWC. The community feels like family and getting to sing in front of America with them gave me chills.”

[Video by Connor Nash, Standing for Freedom Center]