By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor
SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – During a Calvary Baptist Academy assembly, April 22, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, explained what made America a great country in the past, took a phone call from President Donald J. Trump, and shared the biblical concept of what makes an individual great in urging students to “live to make an impact.”
The school is a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport, and Johnson is a former member.
GREAT NATION
Johnson compared the historical model of European monarchies, in which rights passed from God through the king to the people, to the American form of government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” with citizens’ rights coming directly from God.
“We are the first country in the history of the world that set ourselves up with a statement of faith that is listed with theological clarity in our birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence,” Johnson said, noting that many of our founding fathers were seminarians who understood that “we are all made in God’s image,” meaning “every single person has inestimable dignity and value.”
In contrast, Johnson pointed to the antitheses of a nation under God, citing Marxism, communism and socialism, which are based on the notion that “there is no God.” These political systems do not value individuals except those who hold power, he explained, adding that what emerges from them is a “survival of the fittest” that is defined by darkness and tyranny.
“A people with no God, no moral compass and no religion will wind up in bondage,” he observed.
GREAT PRAISE
Johnson was interrupted briefly by a call from President Trump, creating a buzz in the crowd of students and faculty.
“It sounds like a nice group of people,” the President offered, after a loud and excited greeting from the crowd. “I love Louisiana, and it’s treated me very good,” referring to the slate of primary and general election wins he has amassed in the state.
“We love that state, and we’re going to take care of your state,” he said. “And you have to promise you’ll take care of Mike Johnson because he’s the greatest Speaker we’ve had in 100 years,” eliciting a roaring response.
Photo by Elizabeth Kalmbach
GREAT CHARACTER
After the call, Johnson transitioned to encouraging students about what it takes to become a great person.
Referencing 1 Samuel 17, Johnson reminded the audience about David’s selection to be king from among his taller and more comely brothers, emphasizing that God does not look at the outward appearance but that “the Lord looks at the heart.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the favor God gives to those who: are humble (James 4); serve others (Mark 10); clothe themselves with love (Colossians 3); and imitate Christ’s humility (Philippians 2).
GREAT IMPACT
“If you want to make an impact … to do big things for the Kingdom, make yourself available to do it,” Johnson said.
“God loves to find a guy or a girl who is wholly committed to Him. I know He wants you to hear that. Someone needs to hear that,” Johnson shared. “There are some people in this room whom God is going to use for big things.”
Johnson took questions from students, telling them to: be prayerful about the future, but be faithful in what you do today if you desire to go into public service; serve the lowly to develop leadership; and be salt and light amid political and ideological divisiveness. He also identified the national debt ($36 trillion), communist China (“a peer-to-peer adversary … trying to overtake us”) and the erosion of our foundations (“removal of God”) as critical threats to America. He added that if the last (biblical foundations) were addressed first, the principles of Truth would help to resolve the others (China’s threat and the national debt).
During the question-and-answer time, Johnson also offered some practical proverbs to guide them through life:
— “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called” (God uses the lowly to humble the proud).
— “Be a thermostat, not a thermometer” (change the culture, do not just reflect it).
— “What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular” (do what is right).
In closing, Johnson assured the students, “He has chosen a path for you.
“Follow Him, and don’t stray off of it,” he urged. “Be humble servants.”
