Real America’s Voice – THE ROAD FORWARD

Episode Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Ryan Helfenbein (filling in for Dr. Tim Clinton)
Guests: Lucas Miles, Brad Brandon, Troy Miller

Episode Overview

This episode of "Sunday: The Road Forward" spotlights perseverance and faith in turbulent times. Host Ryan Helfenbein leads discussions on unity and courage among pastors, the significance of Sabbath rest, the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Christian persecution in Nigeria, the growing openness of Gen Z to faith, and continued threats to religious freedom in America and abroad. The conversations emphasize Christian values, community, activism, and the enduring relevance of faith to both personal life and world events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflection and Advent Message

[03:03–04:14]

• Advent season theme: Hope in God’s eternal promises and prophetic fulfillment (Micah 5:2).
• “Even in these turbulent times, we remember that God’s promises are certain.” – Ryan Helfenbein

2. Building Boldness in the Church: Lucas Miles and TPUSA Faith

[05:22–08:08]

• Lucas Miles on uniting pastors: Over 8,000 pastors from various denominations collaborate at TPUSA Faith, prioritizing unity on primary doctrines while accepting debate on secondary issues.
• "We understand that one day, we're all going to be in heaven together... But right now there's a job to do, and it's time for the church to truly be that city on a hill." – Lucas Miles [06:53]
• TPUSA Faith resources: Free courses (including Biblical Citizenship), roundtables, biannual Pastor Summits (expecting 3,000 in Dallas).

3. The Power and Purpose of Sabbath Rest: Lessons from Charlie Kirk

[08:08–14:34]

• Discussion of Charlie Kirk’s (posthumously published) book Stop in the Name of God on Sabbath rest.
• Lucas: "Charlie understood that rest, first and foremost, was found in God.… He saw it as a divine ordering of his week, a divine ordering of his thoughts, much in the same way that … setting aside a tithe unto the Lord…" [08:46–09:26]
• Ryan and Lucas dissect Hebrews 4: Rest is rooted in Christ’s finished work, not just tradition.
• "When we rest... we recognize we are not Messiah, there is a Savior, He's Jesus Christ, and that our work will not save us either." – Ryan Helfenbein [11:13]
• Lucas reflects on personal conviction from the book, encouraging others: "I've not been great at doing this throughout my life. I've been a go, go, go kind of person. I'm being very convicted by this book right now." [14:13]

4. Calling for Restraint Amid Conspiracy Theories About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

[14:34–18:45]

• Ryan calls for letting go of “endless speculation” around Charlie’s death, referencing Erica Kirk’s public plea to Candace Owens and others.
• Lucas condemns disingenuous podcasters monetizing rumors:
  "They're pushing information because they know it's going to get a rise out of people... their living is off of the scandal." [16:09]
• Scriptural warning against false witness and slander.
  "A lot of people owe Erica Kirk an apology." – Lucas Miles [18:39]

5. Interview with Brad Brandon: Christian Persecution in Nigeria

[23:33–35:26]

• Brad details the crisis: 70% of Christians killed globally in the past year died in northern Nigeria; tens of thousands killed since 2009; millions displaced.
• Role of U.S. government: Trump admin labeled Nigeria as "country of particular concern" (CPC), enabling sanctions and aid restrictions. Biden admin removed this status, but Trump restored it upon returning to office; Ted Cruz has advanced the Nigeria Accountability Act.
• "The United States government is the only government... that has the power to intervene and do something and put a stop to this." – Brad Brandon [26:53]
• Brandon’s ministry aids both Christian and Muslim communities; peace tours attract thousands, though radical actors persist.
• Cautions against the spread of Sharia law locally and abroad: “They have no interest in assimilating. They want to dominate. And Sharia law is absolutely opposed to our Constitution.” [33:47]

6. Troy Miller on Gen Z, Media, and Religious Liberty

[39:54–53:49]

• Gen Z's surprising engagement: 64% have engaged with some form of Christian media; seeking hope, Bible knowledge, meaningful relationships. "We have a generation out there that realizes ... they feel lost. ... Since Charlie Kirk's assassination... they've been seeking the truth." – Troy Miller [41:52]
• Hostility to Christianity is rising in the West: “The most persecuted group in the world are Christians confessing Christians.” – Ryan [44:26]
• Issues of censorship: Selective enforcement of IRS rules (Johnson Amendment); case studies of conservative pastors (like Robert Jeffress) being warned over candidate prayer, while liberal churches host politicians with impunity.
  “They were directly endorsed and yet silence, crickets from the IRS on that…” – Troy Miller [50:09]
• Legal fight to restore religious speech rights for pastors ongoing; outcome expected soon.

7. Global Update: Persecution Beyond Nigeria

• Africa: Systematic attacks, destruction of villages, targeting church leaders, martyrdom by Islamist expansion.
• India: Over 4,000 arson incidents against churches this year.
• Europe: ~1,000 arson incidents against Christian churches.
• South Korea: Pastors imprisoned for traditional Christian teaching.
• “The most dangerous belief you can hold today is Christianity, a belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.” – Troy Miller [52:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Even in these turbulent times, we remember that God’s promises are certain." – Ryan Helfenbein [03:08]
• “It’s time for the church to truly be that city on a hill.” – Lucas Miles [06:59]
• “Sabbath rest… it’s more than just a day. Jesus is our Sabbath day rest. When you start understanding that, it begins to frame your world in a different way.” – Lucas Miles [10:02]
• “If you just did this as a practice, even without any spiritual connection, it would benefit you... That's not solely what Charlie was a proponent of. Charlie understood that rest, first and foremost, was found in God.” – Lucas Miles [12:36]
• "A lot of people owe Erica Kirk an apology." – Lucas Miles [18:39]
• "Northern Nigeria is one of those areas. Last year, more than 70% of all the Christians killed in the entire world were killed in northern Nigeria." – Brad Brandon [24:51]
• “We see the very beginnings of [Sharia law] happening here in the United States. … Sharia law is absolutely opposed to our Constitution. The two cannot stand together.” – Brad Brandon [33:47]
• “64% of Gen Z was tuning into some form of Christian media ... they were looking for hope and encouragement.” – Troy Miller [41:52]
• "The most dangerous belief you can hold today is Christianity, a belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior." – Troy Miller [52:17]
• “The hour demands more than comfortable Christianity. It demands soldiers of the cross who are willing to stand, to fight, and to endure.” – Ryan Helfenbein (ending reflection, quoting J.C. Ryle) [58:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Advent message: [03:03–04:14]
• Lucas Miles: Pastoral unity and boldness: [05:22–08:08]
• Sabbath rest & Charlie Kirk’s legacy: [08:08–14:34]
• Response to conspiracy theories: [14:34–18:45]
• Brad Brandon: Nigeria Christian persecution: [23:33–35:26]
• Sharia law impacts at home & abroad: [32:05–35:26]
• Troy Miller: Gen Z & Christian media: [39:54–43:22]
• Religious liberty & Johnson Amendment: [44:26–50:09]
• Global Christian persecution update: [51:15–53:49]
• Closing call to courageous Christianity: [58:51–end]

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode adopts a sober yet hopeful tone, calling listeners to steadfast faith, courageous witness, and practical action amidst cultural turbulence and escalating threats to Christian expression. With a blend of scriptural teaching, current events, and firsthand testimony, "Sunday: The Road Forward" urgently exhorts believers to embody Advent hope by actively resisting fear and apathy—at home, in their churches, and across the world.