Era or Event: 1950s-Now: Modern

White Hall, West Virginia 2024

Mayoral Proclamation

in harmony with

Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia

As proclaimed by Governor Jim Justice

Whereas, the Preamble to the Constitution of West Virginia declares, “Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political, and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith and constant reliance upon God”; and

Whereas, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees religious freedom; and the “Sundays excepted” provision of Article 7, Chapter 14 historically recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and

Whereas, for many West Virginians, public school days once began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and

Whereas, the state songs, The West Virginia Hills and West Virginia My Home Sweet Home, contains the lyrics, “With their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Immanuel’s land!” and “There I work, and play, and I worship Sunday,”; and

Whereas, influence of Christianity in West Virginia is evident by her many churches and Christian charities, ministries, missions and schools; cherished Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving holiday seasons; and a willingness of Mountaineers to love thy neighbor as thyself; and

Whereas, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on our thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is part of Wast Virginia’s and America’s history.

Now, Therefore,  Let it be Known that November 24-30, 2024, is hereby proclaimed as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the

Town of White Hall, West Virginia

Jason DeFrance. Mayor

Date 11/12/24

Mitchell Heights, West Virginia 2024

Mayoral Proclamation

in harmony with

Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia

November 24-30, 2024

as proclaimed by

 Governor Jim Justice

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week marks the thirty-third consecutive Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia; thus continuing a tradition of annual proclamations beginning with Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992 thru 1996 and continued by Governor Cecil Underwood from 1997 thru 2000, Governor Bob Wise from 2001 thru 2004, Governor Joe Manchin from 2005 thru 2010, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin from 2011 thru 2016 and Governor Jim Justice in 2017 and 2024; and,

WHEREAS, 240 mayors from 142 cities, towns and villages throughout the State of West Virginia have proclaimed Christian Heritage Week since 2001; and,

WHEREAS, local churches are encouraged to participate with relevant Sunday School lessons, sermons, patriotic song services, youth programs and prayer meetings; and,

WHEREAS, Psalm 127:1 warns, “Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be Known that November 24-30, 2024, Thanksgiving week is hereby proclaimed as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the

Town of Mitchell Heights

and I invite all citizens to join me in this observance each in their own way.

James C. Motes

date 10-7-24

Granville, West Virginia 2024

Town of Granville

West Virginia

Mayoral Proclamation

In harmony with

Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia

November 24-30, 2024

As proclaimed by Governor Jim Justice

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week marks the thirty-third consecutive Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia: thus continuing a tradition of annual proclamations beginning with Governor Gatson Caperton in 1992 thru 1996 and continued by Governor Cecil Underwood from 1997 thru 2000, Governor Bob Wise from 2001 thru 2004, Governor Joe Manchin from 2005 thru 2010, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin from 2011 thru 2016 and Governor Jim Justice in 2017 thru 2024; and, 

WHEREAS, 241 mayors from 143 cities, towns and villages throughout the State of West Virginia have proclaimed Christian Heritage Week since 2001; and,

WHEREAS, local churches are encouraged to participate with relevant Sunday School lessons, sermons,  patriotic song services, youth programs and prayer meetings; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be Known that November 24-30, 2024, is hereby proclaimed as: 

Christian Heritage Week 

In the

Town of Granville

and I invite all citizens to join me in this observance each in their own way. 

Patricia A. Lewis

Mayor

Montgomery, West Virginia 2024

Mayoral Proclamation

in harmony with

Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia

November 24-30, 2024

as proclaimed by Governor Jim Justice

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week marks the thirty-third consecutive Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia; thus continuing a tradition of annual proclamations beginning with Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992 thru 1996 and continued by Governor Cecil Underwood from 1997 thru 2000, Governor Bob Wise from 2001 thru 2004, Governor Joe Manchin from 2005 thru 2010, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin from 2011 thru 2016 and Governor Jim Justice in 2017 thru 2024; and,

WHEREAS, 240 mayors from 142 cities, towns and villages throughout West Virginia have proclaimed Christian Heritage Week since 2001; and,

WHEREAS, local churches are asked to participate with relevant Sunday School lessons, sermons, patriotic song services, youth programs and prayer meetings; and,

WHEREAS, Psalm 127:1 warns “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, they watchman waketh but in vain.”

NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be Known that November 24-30, 2024, Thanksgiving week, is hereby proclaimed as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the

City of Montgomery, West Virginia

And I invite all citizens to join me in this observance, each in their own way.

by: Greg Ingram (Mayor)

date: 9-23-24

Stonewood, West Virginia 2024

Mayoral Proclamation

In harmony with

Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia

November 24-30, 2024

as proclaimed by

 Governor Jim Justice

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week marks the twenty-seventh consecutive Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia; thus continuing a tradition of annual proclamations beginning with Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992 thru 1996 and continued by Governor Cecil Underwood from 1997 thru 2000, Governor Bob Wise from 2001 thru 2004, Governor Joe Manchin from 2005 thru 2010, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin from 2011 thru 2016 and Governor Jim Justice in 2017 thru 2024; and,

WHEREAS, 241 mayors from 143 cities, towns and villages throughout the State of West Virginia have proclaimed Christian Heritage Week since 2001; and,

WHEREAS, local churches are encouraged to participate with relevant Sunday School lessons, sermons, patriotic song services, youth programs and prayer meetings.

WHEREAS, Psalm 127:1 warns “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be Known that November 24-30. 2024, Thanksgiving week, is hereby proclaimed as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the

City of Stonewood, West Virginia

and I invite all citizens to join me in this observance, each in their own way.

By

Mayor

Date 10-1-24

Christians and Voting 2024

Election Survey Information

Noted pollster George Barna conducted a study to determine Christians’ interest levels and viewpoints in the upcoming 2024 election: “A Pre-Election Survey of Self-Identified Christians Who Regularly Attend Church Services, Examining Attitudes and Behaviors Related to the 2024 Election and Church Engagement in the Election Process.” He interviewed 2,000 church-going, self-identified Christians.

Here are just a few highlights:

  • Most (57%) believe the outcome of the November 2024 election will make a big difference in their lives. While many (29%) say it will make only some difference.
  • Less than one-quarter of churched Christians (23%) identified moral decline as a defining issue in this election. Correspondingly, a startling 42% of church-going Christians supported abortion on demand.
  • On the list of issues, economic matters were identified as the top concern, especially in relation to inflation and cost of living (listed by 67%). Another top economic issue was the economy in general (64%). Other economic issues were unemployment and jobs (38%), and the federal deficit and debt (33%). A related issue, named by 43%, was addressing poverty and homelessness.
  • Abortion was the seventh-ranked issue, identified by 41% of churched Christians.
  • When asked if they would prefer that their churches be more involved or less involved in the 2024 election than they had been in other recent elections, the respondents were split. A plurality (42%) opted for the status quo, preferring the same level of involvement as in the past. The other half of the respondents were evenly divided between saying they prefer their churches to be more involved (25%) or less involved (27%).

Full Study & Supporting Documents

Complete Survey

Executive Summary

Memorandum

Talking Points

Charts & Graphs

Court Orders D.C. Transit Authority to Accept and Run Unconstitutionally Rejected Ads

In December 2023, First Liberty, ACLU, and Steptoe filed a lawsuit on behalf of WallBuilders relating to ads that were rejected by the DC Transit Authority. (See more about the history of this issue here.) We now have great news!

“Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”) to accept and run four advertisements that it had unconstitutionally rejected. The court ruled that WMATA’s ban on issue ads violates the First Amendment’s requirement that restrictions on speech be reasonable.”

Read the full Press Release from First Liberty here.

These ads have already started to appear in Washington DC! You can follow WallBuilders’ social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and X) to stay updated.

The ads link to a collection of quotes by numerous Founding Fathers via our article “The Founding Fathers on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible”: https://wallbuilders.com/resource/the-founding-fathers-on-jesus-christianity-and-the-bible/.

Support WallBuilders’ Mission! Donate here!

West Virginia 2024

Proclamation by Governor Jim Justice

Whereas, the Preamble to the Constitution of West Virginia declares, “Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people o West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God”; and

Whereas, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees religious freedom; and the “Sundays expected” provision of Article 7, Chapter 14 historically recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and

Whereas, For many West Virginians, public school days began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and bible reading; and

Whereas, the state songs, The West Virginia Hills and West Virginia my Home Sweet Home, contain the lyrics, “With their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Immanuel’s land!” and “there I work, and I play, and I worship Sunday,” ; and

Whereas, the influence of Christianity in West Virginia is evident by her many churches and Christian charities, ministries, missions and schools; cherished Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving holiday seasons; and a willingness of Mountaineers to love thy neighbor as thyself; and

Whereas, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on our thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is part of West Virginia’s and America’s history.

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Jim Justice, Governor of the Great State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 24-30, 2024 as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the Mountain State and invite all citizens to join me in observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol, City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, this the Twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Twenty-Four, and in the One Hundred Sixty-Second year of the State.

Jim Justice , Governor
By the Governor:
Mac Warner, Secretary of State

Black Robe Regiment Hub

What Is It?

The modern National Black Robe Regiment (NBRR) is a network of national and local pastors that equips and empowers pastors to engage in their Biblical and historical role to stand boldly for righteousness and transform society through spiritual and cultural engagement.

The early American pastor had a reputation as a courageous and fearless leader, causing the British during the American Revolution to dub them “The Black Regiment,” a reference to their clerical robes. Those pastors boldly proclaimed the Word of God as it applied to everything in life, whether spiritual or temporal—about eternal life in Christ, taxes, education, public policy, good government, the military, or any other current issues that the Bible addressed.

“If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it…. If satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it.” – Charles Finney

Today, the struggle is for the heart and soul of America. Never before has there been such openly orchestrated frontal attacks against America’s core beliefs, including traditional morality, public religious expressions, the rights of conscience, inalienable rights, common sense economics, and limited constitutional government. An American Revolution, not with guns, but with the same pastoral fervor and leadership is needed today.

This resource is designed to help pastors fulfill that calling.

Historical Origins

Rev Frederick Muhlenberg

The Black Robed Regiment was the name that the British placed on the courageous and patriotic American clergy during the Founding Era (a backhanded reference to the black robes they wore). Significantly, the British blamed the Black Regiment for American Independence, and rightfully so, for modern historians have documented that:

There is not a right asserted in the Declaration of Independence which had not been discussed by the New England clergy before 1763.

It is strange to today’s generation to think that the rights listed in the Declaration of Independence were nothing more than a listing of sermon topics that had been preached from the pulpit in the two decades leading up to the American Revolution, but such was the case….

Read the Full Article Here!

Helpful Resources

Use these resources in your church or consider sending them to your pastor or priest adding a personal note of encouragement to not keep silent on the divisive issues facing our culture.

WallBuilders does not necessarily endorse or agree with all the information from unaffiliated organizations. Listings are provided as additional resources that may be utilized to affirm, enhance, and/or supplement Black Robe Regiment efforts.

Other Groups

http://www.blackrobereg.org/
https://www.danfisherbrr.com/

Legal Resources

ACLJ information for 501(c)(3) incorporated churches

Liberty Counsel and First Liberty have a number of very useful resources for churches and pastors to assist you in informing your church family about today’s issues. Use these resources to learn about what you can and can’t do politically.

This article and this article from the IRS lists activities that are and are not permissible for 501(c)(3) incorporated churches.
Read WallBuilders corrections to an intimidation letter from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent to pastors and churches in 2006 attempting to intimidating Christians and churches from being involved.

Christian Legal Organizations

Historical Resources

The sermons and proclamations listed below come from WallBuilders’ Collection. There are many more beyond this curated list available on our Resources page.

Sermons

Election Sermons

These sermons were preached to government officials at the state capitol upon the annual opening of the legislature

Governmental Sermons

Patriotic Sermons

Proclamations

The American practice of calling days of fasting or thanksgiving was so strong that by 1815, civil governments had issued at least 1,400 official prayer proclamations. Thousands more have been issued since that time—a tradition that now spans more than four centuries of the American Story, and one that continues to the present day since a 1952 federal law requires that every president issue a prayer proclamation on the National Day of Prayer, commemorated the first Thursday of every May, and observed by every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower.

God’s People Want to Know

This 2015 survey by Dr. George Barna asked theologically conservative Christians the areas in which they felt that they needed additional teaching from the pulpit. Here are a just a few highlights:

  • Among the national sample of spiritually active Christian conservatives and moderates, only one in ten people (10%) said their church has been very involved in the election process in the last two voting cycles (2012, 2014). Four out of ten said their church was somewhat involved. The remaining one-half said their church was not involved.
  • Christian conservatives indicated they want their church to get in the game: six out of ten (58%) said they want their church to be more involved in the election process. Among the Christian conservatives, 61% want greater involvement; among the politically moderate Christians only one-quarter (23%) want heightened church engagement.
  • A majority of the survey respondents said it is “extremely important” for their pastor to preach or teach the congregation about the following issues:
      • Abortion 71%
      • Religious persecution 61%
      • Sexual identity 56%
      • Israel 54%
      • Poverty 54%
      • Cultural restoration 53%

See the complete report here.