Transcript

Hamilton: God has called us to be ambassadors even in this dark moment

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Darkness is not an affirmative force. It simply reoccupies the space vacated by the light.

>> Ryan Walters: This is the, Hamilton Corner on American Family Radio.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: It should be uncomfortable for a believer to live as a hypocrite, delivering people

>> Ryan Walters: out of the bondage of mainstream media and the philosophies of this world.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: God has called you and me to be his ambassadors, even in this dark moment. Let's not miss our moment.

J. Abraham Hamilton III hosts Good Friday edition of Hamilton Corner

>> Ryan Walters: And now, the, Hamilton Corner.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Hamilton Corner. Abraham Hamilton III is my name. Joined by produce extraordinaire. Often imitated, never duplicated. The real J. Mac. We are ready to rock and roll with today's edition of the program on this Good Friday. It's an honor, for you to welcome me into your homes or your vehicles or your televisions. However you are partaking, of the program today, we are grateful for you doing so. At this very moment. Many of you, if not most of you, are making your transition from your part time jobs where you generate an income, to your full time jobs where you cultivate an outcome. And as you do so, I want to remind you to do so with intentionality, understanding the primacy that God places on family and allowing that to govern, guide and guard your engagement starting in your own homes. You know, there's so many things happening in the world. you know, President Trump spoke last night about wanting to wrap up Operation Epic Fury in about two to three weeks. I pray that we're able to execute that, to accomplish our nation's objectives and to do so without any further loss of American lives in the process. there are, you know, the things like the birthright citizenship issue that the Supreme Court is considering. you know, you have the Artemis 2 launch with the moon mission, the lunar mission, but with all of those things that are happening, guys, none of those things are more important than the gospel of Jesus Christ being proclaimed and disciples being made in our nation. And if we do all of those other things but the gospel is not being proclaimed, we will continue to see the erosion of our nation from the inside. And certainly I don't want that. I love this country. I'm grateful to God that he has made me and allowed me to be born as an American citizen. but my heart is heavy for my countrymen because in many ways we're making much of everything but Christ. It's like, discussing the reality of the necessity to place our faith in Jesus Christ is like a conversational no go in many places. You can talk about Everything else under the sun. But don't talk about that. You know the old adage, don't discuss religion and politics. It's like that's religion informs politics. Politics touches every aspect of our lives. If you make an idol out of politics and you sever it from, I would say, a mooring in the scriptures, then you very well could make an idol out of politics. And an improper understanding of the scripture would will cause one to embrace the oxymoronic m, axiom that you're so heavenly minded, that you're so no earthly good. For those who are properly heavenly minded, they'll be maximally earthly good because we understand that our temporal station is ordained by the king of glory for this time. And we also will understand that what we get to do on this side of eternity is but a snapshot in comparison to what eternity is. So as you're making your transition, I just want to remind you, as I do daily, what goes on in your house is more important than what's going on in the White House. Not because the White House offerings are unimportant, but because you and I have no direct capacity to impact what goes on there. But we do have the direct capacity and opportunity to impact what goes on in our house. And as the scripture discusses that the Lord has made his people to be living epistles, what story are we a part of being written through our lives? That's a question that we need to consider. To the word of God we go.

Hebrews chapter 12 describes connection between Friday and Resurrection Sunday

Hebrews chapter 12 is where I want to go today. Hebrews chapter 12. And I'll share, a little bit how I arrived here for today's program. Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. Scripture says this. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us. And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. This week we were doing devotions with my family, and, we were talking about the holy week, the Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. And my youngest daughter said, daddy, they call it Good Friday. Why do they call it Good Friday? Because that's when Jesus went to the cross, right? I said, yes, baby, that's why. And as we were talking and I explained to her, you could see her eyes opening. And she says, oh, I See, it's not called Good Friday because people are happy about all of Jesus sufferings. It's called Good Friday because the crucifixion had to take place so that we can have the benefit of the resurrection. That's what my daughter said. I said, yes, sweetie, that's exactly right. The goodness is not saying it was that it felt good to Messiah as he suffered and was mocked and was brutalized and was beaten and was scorned and him being 100% God and 100% man, having the capacity to dispatch with humanity should he wanted to do so. But this verse tells us that even our Messiah looked to the finished work of the cross with joy, for the joy set before him, he endured the cross. So the description of Friday as good has nothing to do with an assessment of Jesus sufferings, but it has everything to do with, with the connection between Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The Apostle Paul explained that if Jesus has not raised from the dead, then we are, ah, still in our sins and our faith is futile. That the goodness of Friday is encapsulated in the fullness of the resurrection. But we don't get to a resurrection without the crucifixion. You and I have the express privilege and opportunity to live our lives. In the scope of the finished work of Jesus. I was talking to the men in our men's meeting at our local church earlier this week. We meet on Wednesdays, and explaining that work for us should have the imprimatur of the presence of Christ because the opportunity to work is an opportunity to reflect our Creator and work is assigned to mankind prior to sin ever being on the radar in the human experience. The pre rebellion prescription of work was not confined to our modern understanding of employment because the laborious engagement, or should I say the industrious engagement of Adam prior to the rebellion wasn't for the purposes of provision. If he was hungry, he just had to go to a tree. But the assignment to work, to cultivate and to keep the garden name. Animals, exercise jurisdiction, operate within the delegation of authority received from the Creator. All of that is prior to the rebellion. The Apostle Paul said to the Thessalonians, he even warns, if there's a brother walking in idleness, man, you just mark him, identify him and stay away from him. Don't treat him as an enemy, but as a brother. Because of the gravity of what it means to work, industrious engagements are clearly a part of it. The pinnacle of, the kavashing if you will, the fruitfulness, at least to multiplication, the Multiplication at least to filling the earth, the filling the earth that leads to subduing the earth, the subduing the earth at least to man's rule. Operating in such a fashion to invest ourselves and creating an environment for maximize human flourishing. The pinnacle of human flourishing is being born again. Our work includes our industrious vocational engagements. Just as the Lord says, He filled that Aholiab and Bezalel were filled with God's spirit for craftsmanship and stone cutting. If we as members of the Lord's family are involved, the involvement is a holy involvement because of whose we are. That holy involvement is only possible because of what Jesus fulfilled for us on the cross. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth, the once and for all sacrifice for our sins. Friday is good because Friday points us to Sunday. So as we are making adjustments and all over our country different people are doing different things. Some people having some sunrise services, various services. my encouragement for this audience is to refuse to allow resurrection Sunday to be a once a year celebration, but that our lives are a celebration of our Lord's resurrection every day. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he was discussing this within the context of working. And he said, don't become weary in doing good, because there are things, the press of the world around us, all of these things, seek to turn which should be glorious engagement into monotony and drudgery. But a part of being peculiar is that we have peculiar insights and perspectives because of whose we are. The verses In Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1 and 2, you guys know, every time you see, therefore I tell you, you should see what it's there. For it follows articulation in the hall of faith. And it goes through the heroes, of our faith and patriarchs in the faith. And then when you get to verse one in Hebrews 12, it says, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also, let us also, in light of their example, in light of what God recorded for us, in light of what has been preserved miraculously for us. In light of that, let us lay aside every weight, every encumbrance which so easily entangles. And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes, fastening our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. As believers we have the glorious privilege to do life on this side of eternity from that vaunted perspective, because heaven is our home that we look at life entirely different from those who do not have the blessed eternal hope. Friday is good because we know the grave could not hold our Lord, Lord. So in light of his resurrection, we live in view of his resurrection power empowered by his grace, indwelled by his spirit to execute what he has ordained for us for the time that he's planted us in. And then once this time is up on this side of eternity, we get to look forward to basking in the tangible presence of our Lord with all of the saints throughout human history. Glory to the name of Jesus.

>>  : Satan wants to destroy God's sacred design for marriage and family. How do we defend them in this hostile culture? Activate Summit 2026 is July 16th through the 18th at the Cadence Bank arena in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the focus this year is on God's plan for marriage and family. Speakers include Laura Petherbridge.

>> Ryan Walters: When we set boundaries when working and anger, they usually come out as unhealthy boundaries.

>>  : Josh Wood, it's getting you to think

>> Ryan Walters: about planting a tree in the shade of which you'll never see.

>>  : Katy Faust.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: It is very hard for a child to answer the question, who am I?

>>  : And more. There's also Activate Kids, a separate track for children ages 6 to 12, and something new this year. Get separate tickets for an exclusive meet and greet reception at AFA with the conference speakers on the evening of July 17th. Register now for Roots to fruit grounded in truth, growing in grace. Visit afa m.netsummit afa.netsummit.

>> Ryan Walters: Shining Light into the Darkness this is the Hamilton Corner on American Family Radio.

Abraham Hamilton welcomes Troy Miller to the Hamilton Corner

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Welcome back to the Hamilton Corner. Hello corner, Abraham Hamilton iii. And I am honored to have on the program with me the president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters Organization, also known as nrb, a man who I admire, I respect, who has been able to lead NRB in such a direction to where, the Lord is blessing the work of NRB and expanding the witness of the gospel in our nation and around the world. I'm speaking of none other than Troy Miller, as I mentioned, president and CEO of nrb, who is also, by the way, a veteran of our U.S. navy. Troy, thank you so much for joining me here on the Hamilton Corner.

>> Ryan Walters: Well, thanks for having me. It's great to be with you.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: well, the honor certainly is mine.

Abraham: I would hope more churches would hold such events

And then I mentioned to you before we came on that long, time no see, because we were just together in Florida, just last week at the, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church's Institute for Faith in Cultures Kingdomnomics Come conference and being able to learn from, amazing people like Os Guinness and David Bonson and Rosario Butterfield and so many more. what. Just. I guess I'll start there. What was your overall takeaway from that event last week?

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah, no, you're right. It was such a great event and such great speakers, that they had on there. Lucas Miles was there and Eric Metaxas and of course we had Senator Josh Hawley came in in and talked about and you know, look, I would hope that more churches would do that, those kinds of events to, you know, help their congregations, you know, look, grow in Christ. I mean, at the end of the day, that was all about growing in Christ and for us to be encouraged as Christians, for us as leaders to encourage Christians and congregations and keep them aware. And also, look, Abraham, we know that we've got a culture that, that is, let me say it's complicated and dicey, to navigate today. And so having those kinds of teachers in to help move and help us work through that, I thought it was an outstanding event. And again, I would wish churches across the country would hold something like that.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: M. Yeah, I mean, I agree and I was blessed to be a part of that, and to contribute to that, you know. But as you mentioned, this, the culture that we're in, we're in a precarious position to say the least.

National Religious Broadcasters Association is the oldest advocacy group for Christian communicators

Now I wanted to have you on for many m. Of our audience. Much of our audience is familiar with nrb, but some may not be. For, those who this might be their initial introduction to the nrb. What is nrb?

>> Ryan Walters: So nrb, we're the oldest advocacy group for basically Christian communicators. We started off in 1944, as the National Religious Broadcasters association, defending pastors rights to be on radio. back then radio wanted to be gatekeepers. sound familiar? We have gatekeepers today. and so we work up on Capitol Hill. We work in the regulatory environments, we work in the courts, we work, sometimes across state, capitals, and we really keep an eye on what's going on so that Christian communicators like yourself, whether you're radio, television, film publishers, podcasters, today, all things digital, they have a right to be in the marketplace. They have a right to have their voice on the airways and the communication streams. And so we're the ones that are out there battling for that every day. And then we hold a big annual conference, where we help communicators learn about technology, new trends, new equipment, new methodologies and Then do a lot of iron sharpening iron there too. talking about culture or theological issues and such. That's what in our really all about.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: And it's amazing. And I know you're not a. You're not a pat yourself on the back kind of guy, but it's worth acknowledging that under your leadership, the NRBs, annual convention has grown tremendously.

Christian Communicators Association focuses on helping Christian communicators understand emerging technology

Would you just speak to that a little bit? And again, I know I'm putting you in an awkward position because I know you wouldn't do this yourself, but I'm asking you to do it so the audience can be aware of what's available.

>> Ryan Walters: Well, look, we know behind us, God gets all the glory. And he's really. I mean, he really helped us. I mean, because we went through Covid, it didn't miss a conference, unlike a lot of other associations that really got set back because they missed that. But we've spent a lot concentrating on what I was talking about, really kind of helping people within the Christian communication community know about these new trends. This last year, we had a whole stage dedicated to AI what's going on with AI? How do you use it? How do you apply it? We, had a roundtable on the ethical and moral discussions around AI So I think one of the things that's really helped us grow is we're really hitting the issues that are core to Christian communicators and getting them in. And this is a place you can come in. We had almost think we had 5,600, people there a little over. It was the largest group we've ever had in our Nashville venue, and under one roof to really come in and talk about these issues, work together as a church. And, we're all about seeing the gospel go forward in this culture.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: M. And I want to get to that in a moment, but sometimes I get carried away talking, so I don't want to be remiss in doing this.

How can people keep up with NRB and the work that you're doing

Now, how can people keep up with NRB and the work that you're doing through nrb and to learn about the annual conference, like the one that just was held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah. Well, the best place is go to nrb.org that's nrb.org you can see all the things that we're working on there, whether they're legislative or legal, regulatory, all of those things are there. You can also on there, you can sign up for our newsletter, that will keep you informed. And then as the conference comes around, you'll see that there in the slider and you can, get all the information that. So nrb.org is the best place, to do it. Of course, you can follow us on social media and all of those links are there as well.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Now, in full disclosure, you know this, Troy, but I want the audience to know that I am a member of the board of directors for nrb. but AFR was a member of NRB long before I was anywhere remotely approaching the board. And I've had the privilege of working behind m the scenes, with NRB staff on things like regulations at the FCC and collaborating on language, to make a representation to the fcc. because sometimes the engagement requires affirmatively, advocating for good policy, but sometimes you have to kind of slap down bad stuff that could be coming down the pike.

NRB fights to make sure Christian witness is being presented in broadcast regulations

Would you just speak to that a little bit about the regulatory regime and how NRB is on the front lines, in terms of being a presence there to make sure that the Christian witness is being presented in terms of broadcast regulation.

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah. And you hit it. Well, a lot of it is just making sure the voice is there. Sometimes these politicians, they'll have a great. They think it's a great idea. they don't mean anything, sometimes nefarious by it. but they don't really hear all the voices. So part of it is just having our voice there. So when a new piece of legislation comes up, we get up on the hill right away and say, yeah, but did you think about how this is going to affect Christian broadcasters or independent radio and television folks or these folks? And they're like, oh, the light will dawn and they'll be like, okay, we'll change that. We'll move that. Sometimes it's really easy to do. Other times not so easy. There is nefarious behind it. They do, that you find very quickly. No, there was a purpose here. They wanted to silence the voice. you know, we had an issue last year, I think the NRB and American, Family Association, American Family Radio took on, together where the FCC wanted to put these DEI kinds of reporting regulations, on, you know, Christian, on communicators in general, but really targeting Christian communicators and such. And we took them to court, together and we won that case. A judge agreed with us, that, no, you can't do that. Religious organizations, they are exempt. They have, complete rights into who they employ, how they employ and what they do. So those are the kinds of things, as you said, the situations you have to keep your eye on, in the legislation today. And look, that's what we are. We're up on the Hill all the time. Our voice is there, and our ears are listening for those things as they come through.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: I know the core conviction, at nrb, and we do those things, and we did collaborate, work together on litigation, even in that instance, because the focal point is we understand what Jesus required of the church to execute the Great Commission. how would you explain to people who may not be aware, of the relationship between Christian, broadcasting and the church's responsibility to execute the Great Commission?

>> Ryan Walters: Well, look, we're called to be a witness, right? in the public square. We're not called to be a silent witness. the left would always like to take and isolate the church to either the four walls of the church or just your home. Keep that in your home. Keep that in your church. Don't put anywhere. We're not called. We're called to be light, and we're called to be salt. And we're called to be in the public square. I mean, the church. For 2,000 years, the church is a public square. All the way back to Paul. Remember Paul? He's, in Greece. He's in Athens. Where does he go? He goes to where, the thinkers and the influencers are. He goes to the arena, he starts talking about the Gospel. And so that's what NRB is all about. We're about keeping the Gospel in the channels of communications, that people, are at today. It used to be the public square. Then it was radio and television. And of course now it's the big part of it is all digital. it's all online. It's all the social, areas that a lot of people would love to cut the Christian message out of. But we're fighting to keep our rights, but not only our rights, our responsibility in the Great Commission to be able to be fulfilled.

NRB is appealing the Johnson Amendment to allow pastors to speak freely

>> Abraham Hamilton III: One of the major things that I know NRB is working on, and even because I get the insider emails, was the litigation concerning the Johnson Amendment. And something that was really unprecedented, that our friend and colleague Mike Ferris, his general counsel for nrb, is kind of leading the effort that led to having a consent agreement from the Trump administration, concerning allowing pastors to speak freely. And I would argue this way to speak freely about the Scriptures requirement as applied to public and civic engagement. Others would call that political endorsements, but it's really not. It's articulating what the Scripture requires in terms of civic engagement. Would you just share a little bit about that? And even kind of a short window into where things stand with that litigation.

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah, yeah. And for any audience here that doesn't know what the Johnson Amendment is, Lyndon B. Johnson, running for Senate, gets opposed by a number of churches, during that candidacy. He ends up winning, that. But he gets into, the Congress, and he attaches this bill, why it's called the Johnson Amendment. Lyndon B. Johnson, he attaches this to an appropriation to this Amendment that says 501s, which churches fall under that Internal Revenue Service category. they can't give financially to a campaign. They can't endorse or oppose a candidate, and they limit the amount of lobbying they can do. And so he basically does this as a vengeance to silence the opposition to his candidacy. Prior to that 180 years of this country, pastors had always been speaking out about governance issues. We like to use the word political today, but it's really about how our country is governed and the civics responsibility of people, that sat in the pew. Pastors always talked about that. And so he silenced that. And really, as an intimidation tool to pastors. So we took that case up a year and a half ago, fought through the Biden administration trying to get it dismissed, and then came to an understanding. That's what a consent degree is, an understanding with the Justice Department, that in

>> Abraham Hamilton III: fact,

>> Ryan Walters: this law amendment does not supersede the Constitution. And that pastors have a right, the freedom of religion means they have a right if they feel it's their conscience and religious responsibility to speak up on issues. They have a right to do that. That's all the just Justice Department said it didn't affect anybody else but pastors in the pulpit, having that right, to do so. We fought that. We got that decree it was setting with a judge for a while, and then we just found out this week the judge dismissed the case on a technicality that he cleared a year and a half ago. And so who knows what goes through their minds here? But that's okay. God didn't say that our fight was easy. he said our fight was that it's a fight we're gonna have to be there. So we're appealing this. We're going to the fifth Circuit. We, think we have a very strong case here. We think the fifth Circuit's gonna reverse the judge, and then he really doesn't have a choice, but then to sign off when two parties agree. And so that's where the case is at. That's where we're going. but we're working hard so that pastors, again, don't have to feel like the government is stepping into their religious conscience. That's what this is all about.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: M. Now, it is important to note that the Fifth Circuit is also the exact same court where we were before when AFR and AFA were working together with NRB challenging the Biden administration's, regulatory overreach through the fcc. And so the likelihood of a favorable outcome M, at the Fifth Circuit is a significantly, good likelihood of prevailing there. So, it is noteworthy on, that front. Now, people, may. I just want to run a highlighter over this, because when people think about nrb, they may not connect that. Wait a minute. NRB is leading the fight to unshackle pastors in pulpits, to, convey the full counsel of the Lord's Word, to people. And the answer to that is simply yes. The answer to that is yes. And again, because I know you, it's not about any chest pounding, but it's simply you leading the fight to man the lane that God has called nrb, to man for the glorious purposes of obeying the Lord. Am I overstating that in any way?

>> Ryan Walters: No, you're not. You're not. That's exactly, what we do here. That's exactly what God's, called us for. I kind of liken it sometimes, you know, to when in Acts, you know, when the. The issue arose with the widows not getting fed, and they said, look, we need to stay pastors, the disciples. We need to stay focused on God's word. You guys go out and take care of this other work that needs to go. We're the guys out taking care of that work so pastors can focus on what God's called them to do, and that's proclaim the gospel and the scriptures, to their flocks that God has given to them.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: That is powerful. That's powerful. and glory to God for that work. I, know we have about a minute or so. Yep. There's a disrespectful music.

Troy Miller was at the White House during the resurrection celebration this week

so we're about to head into this break, but where I was gonna go next is before we came on, you were mentioning having the opportunity, this week to be present at the White House during the White House's resurrection, celebration. And you were able to. You were able to witness President Trump read from the scripture the story of the resurrection warning. I want to get into that a little bit. When we come back from this break, you are listening to or watching the Hamilton Corner. My guest is Troy Miller, president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters. You don't want to miss the remainder of this interview because I strongly believe it'll be an. It will continue to be in encouragement to you on this good Friday, because Friday is good, because we know Sunday is coming.

American Family Association invites you to join them for a Kentucky getaway

>>  : Okay, here's an assignment for you, if you will. I want you to take some time and think about a getaway that gives you a chance to get together with other people of faith, deepen your walk with God and make new friends, all while enjoying the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. I'm talking about joining AFA at the Ark October 29th and 30th. This is a great opportunity to break away from the grind of everyday life and draw closer to God through special presentations from Patricia Engler and Brian Osborne of Answers in Genesis. It also includes entrance to the Creation Museum on Thursday and the Ark Encounter on Friday. Of course, meals are provided and Friday's dinner includes a panel discussion with Tony Vitagliano, Walker Wildmon and Wesley Wildmon, vice presidents of American Family Association. This is an event that can fill up quickly, so hurry to afa.netevents to register for afatheart 2026 afa.net events.

>> Ryan Walters: The Hamilton quarter podcast and one minute comedy commentaries are available at afr.net back to the Hamilton Corner on American Family Radio.

President Obama held Easter lunch for faith leaders at the White House on Wednesday

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Welcome back to the Hamilton Corner, Abraham Hamilton iii. Here my guest is president and CEO of nrb, Troy Miller. And we're having just a great conversation about all things nrb. And some of you might have just learned something, about, NRB's contributions really, to the church's responsibility of executing the Great Commission. Among those things, as Troy wonderfully laid it out, you know, as the gospel is being proclaimed by pastors and shepherds, and he used the Act 6 reference, to the need to provide widows with, food and service and the diakonos, the deaconate was pretty much established and, for the express purposes allowing the apostles to attend to the proclaiming of God's word and these others men filled with the Spirit of God is what the scripture says were able to attend to this other ecclesiastical work. And Troy said that's what we're doing at nrb. We're making way for the gospel to continue to be proclaimed. And I alluded to in the previous segment, Troy, you had the privilege of being at the White House as the president read from the Scriptures concerning the resurrection. Would you just share a little bit, a little bit of that, your experience there and what are some of the things that you, I would say, perceived and discerned as a result of being there? While the President of the United States is acknowledging. Now, I'm not going beyond anything, I'm not saying I know his heart, but at a minimum, we have a president who acknowledges the resurrection.

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah, that's exactly right. A couple of days ago on Wednesday, they held, Easter lunch for faith leaders at the White House, of which I was honored to, attend and represent Christian, communicators. And a number of our good friends, you would know, were all there, as well. And it was, you know, it was a real difference from I think two years ago when, the White House was celebrating, you know, transition day, leading into Easter. now we get a president that gets up and gives an address and talks about some nice things. But he read the whole Easter story. He went back and talked about Christ, God giving his son, Christ being born, went through his ministry, went through, the triumphant entry, talked about Palm Sunday, talked about the cross. He, made a funny comment about, you know, he said, you know, there's a big no kings march. But he said, we have a true king of kings, out there. He said, and it's not me. and, so that was, it was just powerful. Talking about the resurrection and also Abraham. In the room was several of the cabinet members. Vice President, Vance was there, Pam Bondi was there. just a number of them were there, all strong believers there supporting our Christian heritage and foundation of this country. And so for me, it was a very moving kind of time and just a great event to be at.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: And you contrasted that appropriately. So, because I'm sure it was all just a coincidence that as Christians around the world are basking in the glory of our Lord's resurrection, that the Biden administration has, you know, these confused people who need help, who need the gospel, you know, celebrating transgenderism on the White House lawn. I mean, what a stark contrast, presented there.

>> Ryan Walters: But what a blessing of us as our country God, what the enemy meant for evil. He says that God turns to good. Almost a year to the date of that celebration, we get the Supreme Court overturning the conversion therapy ruling out of Colorado, that says, no, no Christians, you do have a right to speak truth into these young adults lives. You have that right. The state can't do it. And it was an 8 to 1 ruling. It wasn't 5 to 4, 6 to 3, it was 8 to 1 ruling out there. And I thought, man, how appropriate is that for us going into this Easter with the events of two years ago, of God allowing that decision to come down at the same time? and again it shows you the switch that we've really seen in this country. And the other thing the President talked about and several others got up and talked about again was the May 17 event of rededicating our country. and it's that rededication back to that original American spirit, that original freedoms that we all enjoy today and how those freedoms are founded on our Christian doctrines, principles m, morality and ethics and beliefs. so to hear that again from an administration, that is certainly, like I said, I can't judge his heart or other hearts, but I can certainly judge the fruit that was going on in that room. And that was a room that was honoring God as the Creator and Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Man, thank you for that observation because it's easy to be, just bogged down in the morass of the darkness, but, but being redirected toward the light is so profound. And as you mentioned, the ruling affecting well, I should say coming out of the lawsuit filed in the state of Colorado, but it would have implications because there are 23 other states that had similar laws just like Colorado. And it's interesting that Kayleigh, childs in Colorado, serve young adults as you mentioned, but also children, children, children. And, and the facts were that she doesn't dictate the course of treatment. She responds to the expressed goals of the clients, the patients. So there are children who would say that I'm suffering from these unwanted same sex attractions. I might have been abused at this stage. I'm a little confused here, but I don't want to embrace these crazy ideologies. And she as a believer would say, well here we'll help you. The state says no, you can't help. But the state at the exact same time says the only thing you can do is help them further their confusion. You know, but to have that ruling to come down on that day is just, just a profound observation, a profound reality. And thank you for bringing that observation to us.

NRB establishing a permanent home on Capitol Hill to promote Christian broadcasting

Now I know one of the major projects, that has been undertaken again, God's glorious hand has been upon it, was NRB establishing a permanent home on Capitol Hill and building, working and moving toward being a hub really for broadcasting in the middle of the swamp. Would you just share a little bit about that and just really just to celebrate our Lord and his, profound grace and goodness in making all of that come to fruition?

>> Ryan Walters: Well, absolutely. You know, God is so good. You know, there's, you know, we all know the saying out there. Not one square inch, not one square inch does it belong to God. Even the swamp belongs to God. He can establish a foothold in it. We're told that the gates of hell won't prevail against the gospel. And so by his blessing, we were able to purchase a building, in D.C. this last September to have a permanent home for our public policy, communication and legal teams doing their work there in Washington D.C. it's also a place where all of our members, Christian communicators, come in. We'll have studios there, radio studios, a, video studio, podcast studio, for them to come in and do their work, have their meetings, a place to, they could call home when they're up on Capitol Hill. But it really plants a flag along with some other great organizations that are up there, that, you know, Christianity is not going away. we're up here, we're a part of this, group. Pew Research just did a study. I don't know if you saw that, that we went out, that one in four radio stat across this country air Christian content 25%, you know, nearly 60% of the country listens to some form of Christian, media on a regular basis. it's just even 39% of non Christians listen to Christian radio. And 18% of people who are just purely unbelievers, the nuns. I don't believe in anything. listen. And so it's an important part of our history, but it's also an important part of our culture today. And the American audience has said that over and over again. and we're up there to make sure through this facility that we say that to Congress over and over again, that America wants to hear the gospel message. and we should be out there, everywhere we can be.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Now, we had the address last night from President Trump concerning Operation Epic Fury in Iran. And one of the things that I've been pointing out here on the show that I think it's important for us to remember, and it's really to the point that you made, that all of the ideas in our Declaration of Independence, there's documented, studies that show that all of those ideas have been proclaimed at least for a decade prior to America's pulpits. So that the reality is that the American revolutionary, press and spirit was really cultivated through gospel preaching for the years that led up to it. And for the previous years, prior to, the protests in Iran that led to the Ayatollah's regime to slaughter tens of thousands of their own citizens, that, I mean, I've had, missionaries, to convey to me personally how the place where the gospel was advancing, the most fervently over the last recent years has been in Iran. And so I don't think we can underestimate the impact on the gospel's advance in Iran to the Iranian people's pursuit of freedom, similar to what we've experienced in our own nation's history.

Nrb President and CEO praises President Trump's response to Iran crisis

with that, President Trump made his address, Wednesday evening concerning Operation Epic Fury, hoping for it to be, saying that it'll be wrapped up in the next two to three years. And you, not only as a President and CEO of nrb, but also as a Navy veteran, what is your reaction? What do you see in terms of the President's response and then what is something that you're hopeful for that will be an outcome, for the Iranians, but also for the American people in light of what's going on there?

>> Ryan Walters: Yeah, not only as a Navy veteran, but a Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf in 1987. Our task group did, those tanker escorts. I know the Straits Hormoz well. I have tons of pictures of it, here. And I also had a whole group when I was in the tech world, of Iranian, folks that worked for me in the programming area and talked about what that regime was like over in the country, what their family was going through. people don't understand. This is a really deeply rooted religious fanaticism of Islam. It is the most extreme, fanaticism of Islam. You can get most extreme approach to it, there, to the point where, as you said, they slaughter tens of thousands of their own people, for simply standing up, for rights in the culture. So I'm thankful for what the President's doing and what he said. I think the most key thing he said last night was that he was doing this so that our kids, grandkids and great grandkids, didn't have to do this fight or live in a world where that regime had nuclear weapons that they would not hesitate to use. And that's a principle I think we as a church need to grasp. Day, again, we're so much in this immediate Consumer culture, where we want everything. Right now, we're shortsighted. All we look at is our own needs. but look, you look at the scriptures, and we are constantly told that we are looking forward. The American Dream was all about that our kids and grandkids would have a better life than we would have today. And so I'm thankful for a president that's not just kicking the can down the road because he's worried about his election or his ratings today, but he's actually thinking about the future of a safe world, here in America, and hopefully a safe world there in Iran. As you said, we have several ministries that are NRB members that are working in Iran. probably by every estimate, there could be as much, many as 3 million Christians in the underground church there. so we're praying that God's hand, not only would he protect the world from this evil regime getting weapons of mass destruction, but also by his hand, he would free, the people of that country, to rise up and really to live in the freedoms that we all around the world enjoy, here. So that's our prayers, man.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: And it's amazing that, as you mentioned, that there are several, NRB member, ministries that are working in Iran that, again, the Christian communicators and broadcasters are helping, to undergird the gospel work that is happening in that country. Now, these are the types of things that you won't find on major news networks. They're not going to be talking about the gospel's advance in Iran, and they're not going to be talking about the gospel's advances, connection to the people's willingness to stand up in that particular nation. So it is vitally important that we understand that. But for you to highlight that is something that I hope our audience really, it resonates with them and they take heart to that. And to pray for our president, to pray for our nation, and also to pray for our brothers and sisters who are standing literally down the barrel of the proverbial gun in order to place their faith in Christ in a nation like Iran?

Troy Hardeman: Easter is a lifestyle to be celebrated

The disrespectful music has started, but I want to toss it to you with the last 30 seconds or so. What is one of the most important things you think is important for people to take home as we are wrapping up today on this Good Friday?

>> Ryan Walters: Look, as you said, we're celebrating Good Friday. Easter is on the horizon. And, let's make Easter, not just an event, but let's make this Easter a kickoff to celebrate the gospel all year.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: Amen. Resurrection Sunday is a lifestyle to be celebrated. Troy, thank you so much for joining me here. Look forward to having you again later on. Look forward to, NRB next year. We'll be in D.C. so you won't have to travel too far. Folks. Thank you all for tuning in to the program. stay connected to all of the vital work the NRB is doing. If you are a broadcaster and you are not yet an NRB member, what are you waiting for? Go to nrb.org sign up, register, and do not miss the NRB convention in 2027. Thank you, Troy.

>> Ryan Walters: Thank you.

>> Abraham Hamilton III: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.