Hi Friend,

What would it take to walk away from everything you own and move to a foreign country? Let’s say you own a business, a home, have friends and family, and a few financial investments. What circumstances could cause you to walk away from every bit of that, put your family on a dark, damp, and oftentimes smelly ship for a two-month voyage across the ocean to spend the rest of your life in a country where people spoke a different language, had different laws, and a distinct culture?

It would probably take an absolute catastrophe, right? Okay, imagine a challenge to your religious beliefs rising to the level of a calamitous event equal to a natural disaster or military invasion.

But that is precisely how America began! Most Americans have direct-line ancestors who crossed the ocean to escape religious persecution. The desire to worship the God of the Bible was that important! More than any other factor, the freedom to worship God as they understood Him was the reason to risk everything to start a new country. It probably wasn’t the way you understand God today, but they made their way here so you could worship God in peace, a journey that has enlightened our understanding of God over the centuries.

During the 17th Century a group of mixed religious people from the Palatinate region of Germany suffered severe persecution. When a Lord from one area changed religious beliefs, he required that all subjects within his realm change. As a result, Catholics suffered when a Lord converted to Lutheranism, or Protestants suffered when a Lord changed to Catholicism. This mixed group of persecuted people numbered in the multiple thousands which resulted in over 1,700 families immigrating to England.

In diplomatic discussions the English sought to secure religious and civil rights for the Protestants on the continent. They even considered proposing in the negotiations for peace at Geertruidenberg in 1708 that the change in a ruler's religion should not "influence the worship or revenues of his subjects [by which] most of the evil effects proceeding from such a change of religion will be avoided."

A ship carrying about 300 passengers and crew set sail for America, during which a disease epidemic broke out. Of the 300 people on board, only about 60 survived to reach America. Among the survivors were ancestors to Elvis Presley, Tim McGraw, and his biological father Tug McGraw. These individuals, who endured hardships of the journey, are the direct ancestors of these well-known figures.

Religious persecution is a harrowing experience that often leads to economic deprivation and a shortage of food. Unfortunately, those who are persecuted can sometimes become persecutors themselves, perpetuating a cycle of suffering.

Anton Wilhelm Bohme, pastor of the German Court Chapel of St. James and an influential friend of the Palatines at court, advised a correspondent in Germany on May 26, 1710, of "the desire of many people to seek a non-sectarian Christianity in Pennsylvania." In other words, many of those coming to America aimed to put an end to denominational intolerance.

America was a melting pot for Judeo Christians. Huguenots, Anabaptists, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Pilgrims, Puritans, Mennonites, Amish—all these and more came to America looking for a place to worship God without persecution. Thus, the residents of this country established the 1st Amendment to the Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech; or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble; and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Protection for a people to openly worship the God of Abraham is a magnificent principle. It was the foundation for a free nation—even more, it is the core concept for an eternal Kingdom in the future.

Until next time,

Jim O’Brien
Pastor, Church of God Cincinnati
May 23, 2025