Cover Story

Diane Waud proudly accepts the title of “the South’s grandmother” stemming from the viral video skits produced by the popular “It’s a Southern Thing” YouTube channel. Waud’s video appearances have garnered millions of views online. The retired Mountain Brook kindergarten teacher is surprised by the notoriety that her acting in the comedy sketches has brought her, and she said she’s an example of someone who continues to learn and love new things as she gets older. 

Waud’s work with Birmingham-based Red Clay Media and the “It’s a Southern Thing” videos began in 2017 when one of its creators Talia Lin reached out to Waud for help. “We knew each other from Virginia Samford Theatre, where I’d performed with the Birmingham Sugar Babies tap dancers over the years,” Waud said. “She sent me a message on Facebook after my retirement asking me to give her a call. They were looking for a grandma figure for a video.” Waud, with no formal theatrical training, dove into the project and relied on her background as a kindergarten teacher. “That was my stage,” she said. “When I did read-alouds, I’d become the characters with the voices and everything. I loved performing the books for my students.” Her first video with “It’s a Southern Thing” was one on what causes traffic jams in the South, but another one soon after became one of its most viewed. Titled “Choosing your Grandma Name is Serious Business,” the sketch shows the plight of a new grandmother choosing an appropriate name. She considers Granny, Memaw, and Mimi before settling on Grammy. Waud plays the main grandmother as she considers names at a store while interacting with other customers. She ends the sketch with the line, “Bless your heart.” That video had 3.6 million views at the time of this publication, and Waud said its popularity ever since its debut six years ago has amazed her. “After it came out, Adam Schwartz {the other primary creator at “It’s a Southern Thing”} called me and asked me if I was looking at the numbers,” she said. “I try not to look at things like that, but sometimes it’s hard not to watch. You want people to like what you’re doing. And Adam couldn’t believe how it just kept going up and up. He said they’d never had numbers like it.”

Since then, Waud has continued to make videos for the company and is always available whenever the creators come up with a new idea that needs an older actor. One of her most recent was something called a “hash it out” sketch where people debate over important Southern topics; the issue in question was “Which would you rather be trapped in? Bass Pro Shops vs Buc-ees?” Waud said that the videos provide entertainment, and they make viewers laugh at distinctly Southern things. “It’s just funny humor, and everyone can identify with them,” she said, “although they aren’t popular just in the South. We were in Montana and a man came up to me and recognized me. He told me that he didn’t watch television anymore but found us on YouTube.” Waud’s husband Bill and children have become accustomed to her being recognized while in public, and said they call it being found “in the wild.” After church just a few weeks ago, Waud said a young woman approached her while eating lunch. “She was a huge fan, and she came to the table and said, ‘Excuse me, are you this lady?” and showed me a video. We took a picture together,” she said. “It’s important to me to be kind to people when they approach me. It’s fun, and I hope they walk away saying she’s really a nice person.”

Rooted In and Raising a Family in Birmingham. Waud was born and raised in Birmingham, leaving to attend the University of Alabama and then coming home to teach kindergarten at Brookwood Forest Elementary School. She met her husband at her home church, Brookwood Baptist in Mountain Brook, when he moved to Birmingham from Illinois to work at Southern Research. “He knew someone from the Army who went to Brookwood, and he visited one day,” she said. “We didn’t have a lot of singles, and they wouldn’t seek out the church, so it was a God thing.” She and Bill raised their children Edward and Elizabeth in Mountain Brook where she taught kindergarten for decades. Waud initially taught for five years, went home with children for 12 years, and then came back to teach for another 20 years all at the same school. “I truly believe God gifted me as a teacher,” Waud said. “I used to teach school with my baby dolls, and I never thought about doing anything else.” During her years at Brookwood Forest, Waud’s students were known as “Waudos” and they often shared the sentiment, “Once a Waudo, always a Waudo.” In fact, the relationships she built with her students are what made her love teaching so much. “Every year I put an ad in the Mountain Brook High School yearbook with a picture of the kindergarten class of seniors I taught,” she said. “The last students I taught are in 9th grade this year,” she said, adding, “I loved the relationships with my kids, with other teachers, and with the parents of my kids.” Today, Waud continues to cherish the place she calls home and often brags about the South, the Birmingham area, and Mountain Brook in particular. “I work, shop, worship, and do everything in the place I’ve lived all my life,” she said.

Watch the video below to learn more about “It’s a Southern Thing” videos plus Waud’s time as a kindergarten teacher in Mountain Brook.

Living a Life of Faith. Waud grew up in the church, and her husband’s father was a pastor. They continued that priority with their own family, and she credits her faith as the guiding force in her life. “Growing up, on Sunday morning there was no option but to get up and go to church,” she said “For our family, that was the choice for us too. And thankfully, our children never fought us on that.” Waud said that during her time at the University of Alabama, she became very involved in Campus Crusade with Christ while also finding wonderful friends through her sorority. And their two children had similar experiences when they went away to college. “Bill and I are very blessed that both of our children are very involved in their churches, and it really started in college,” she said. “Our son went to Wake Forest, and he became involved in the Reformed Fellowship through the Presbyterian Church, and our daughter went to Georgia where she found a wonderful group of Christian friends.” Today, the Waud family also includes seven grandchildren- four who live in Nashville with their son and daughter-in-law, and three who live in Birmingham with their daughter’s family (where she works as a pediatrician). “The grandchildren are all ages nine and under,” Waud said, “so whenever we’re all together, it’s something else.” Waud makes it a priority to spend individual time with her grandchildren when possible, and each year they spend a week together in August at a house on a nearby lake. She encourages young parents and grandparents to devote time to the children in their lives and to be deliberate in making faith an integral part of it. “In this day and age, families are so incredibly busy and there are so many things that can pull you away from church,” Waud said. “The world isn’t going to make it easy for you, so there are deliberate choices that you have to make as a family.”

Always Moving Forward. Waud also likes to encourage women her age to always be moving forward. She believes that it’s important to try new things and expand your interests and experiences. That’s what landed her in the “It’s a Southern Thing” videos, and it’s what moves her to regularly try other new things. Her time with the Birmingham Sugar Babies tap dance team ended in 2022, but she still meets with her dancing friends from those days. And she’s recently decided to extend her acting experiences onto a theatre stage. “Last year I went to season auditions for Red Mountain Theatre and showed up at a cattle call with 300 other people,” she said. “I got a call back, and last April I was in ‘Sister Act.’ I had speaking lines as one of the nuns, and it was more fun than you can imagine.” She hopes to spend more time on the stage, where she loves to connect with young people and work on her acting chops. And she’s always ready to film another “It’s a Southern Thing” video. Thank you Diane Waud for giving grandmas a good name!

-Cheryl Wray

 

Cover Story

Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) is now in its 25th year of publishing. To mark this milestone, we want to take a look back at the cover stories in the past year with new details. Click on the cover image or link to read these stories. Or if you prefer, simply visit BirminghamChristian.com/Issues and scroll to read your favorites online.

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November 2023

Jean and Jeremiah Castille

Jeremiah Castille is a former University of Alabama cornerback who played for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant before heading to the NFL. He has been the University of Alabama’s Football Chaplain for over 22 years and has been married to his wife Jean for 41 years. They use their life experiences to minister to young athletes, couples, and families through the Jeremiah Castille Foundation. They will be speaking on “Discipling Like a Coach” at the Legacy Coalition 2025 National Summit held at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham. Read their story here.

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December 2023

Danna Standridge

Danna Standridge is a faith-filled southern cook with over 100 thousand followers on Facebook alone. Her cookbook, (ITALIC) Happiness is Homemade, Y’all is packed with delicious family recipes. She was recently on Paula Deen’s Love & Best Dishes YouTube channel. See Standridge on the Sweet Grown Alabama Celebrity Chef Stage at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 14 at Noon. We are also thankful to have her as a regular Good News contributor to BCF. See page 31 for this month’s inspiring article and delicious recipe. Click here to read her journey.

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January 2024

Ellen Skrmetti

Known for her “Hey Jesus, It’s Me” sketches and reels, Birmingham-based comedian Ellen Skrmetti believes that God wants you to have fun. Her book, Hey, Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns releases on September 17, 2024.  Skrmetti shares with us how her comedy journey began during the pandemic and what inspires her comedy. Learn more here.

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February 2024

Katie Britt

When Senator Katie Britt was elected to office in 2022, she became the first woman to be elected to the Senate from the state of Alabama. She shares with us what inspired her path to Washington and how she balances being a wife, mom, and a U.S. Senator. She is currently a member of the Senate’s Appropriations, Banking, and Rules Committees and is the only Republican mom of school age children serving in the Senate. Read her inspiring story here.

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March 2024

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth shares with us how his being revolves around three foundations he deems vital: faith, family, and freedom. Hegseth is a husband, father, writer, speaker, news personality and U.S. Army combat veteran. His new book, The War on Warriors, released in June. Click here to read his story.

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April 2024

Skip Holtz

Since being featured in BCF, Birmingham Stallions Football Coach Skip Holtz led his team to a third national championship! Holtz shares with us how his faith guides him on and off the field and how his father, legendary coach Lou Holtz, continues to influence his life and coaching career. Learn more about his journey here.

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May 2024

Chris and Corrie Coghlan

Chris and Corrie Coghlan found “celebrity status” in different arenas- Chris as a successful Major League Baseball player with a World Series win and Corrie as a top five finalist on the reality show “The Bachelor.” The couple shares how they met and fell in love, grew in their faith right here in Birmingham and became parents through adoption. Read their story here.

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June 2024

Steven Mezrano

Birmingham lawyer Steven Mezrano is committed to living a life that reflects his Christian faith. His priorities in life are tiered: God, family, and work. He shares with how his law career journey began plus how his practice- Mezrano Alabama Injury Lawyers- works with multiple community organizations to give back to the community. Learn more here.

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July 2024

Zion Redington

Zion Redington is the youngest member of Team USA’s wheelchair rugby team. At the time of press of this month’s issue, he is in Paris preparing to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games. He and his parents share with us his inspiring story to the Games, how their faith carries them on and off the court, and Zion’s hopes for the future. Read more here.

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August 2024

Dale Benton

Alabama’s TIME Dealer of the Year Dale Benton experienced a health scare that led to a surprising sabbatical. He shares with us details of that life-changing experience and how it drew him closer to the Lord. This month he and his team at Benton Nissan Hoover are helping make it possible for us to host the 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo on September 14, 2024. Meet them at the event. Read more of his story here.

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We look forward to sharing even more GOOD NEWS in the coming year with readers like you. You’re invited to celebrate 25 years of Good News with us at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 14, 2024 at the Hoover Met Complex’s Finley Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visit www.birminghamchristian.com/expo2024 for the most up to date details about this free, fun filled day for the whole family! 

THANK YOU for reading & advertising with us!

Cover Story

Birmingham’s Zion Redington will compete this August in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France as the youngest member of Team USA’s wheelchair rugby squad. His journey to Paris is one filled with both challenges and triumphs, fueled by a loving family and God’s protection and direction.

Humble Beginnings. Heather Redington-Whitlock first saw Zion on the website for the orphanage where he lived in China. She was immediately struck by his photograph and needed to know more about him. “I immediately knew, ‘this is my kid. This is my son.’ And within six months, he was mine,” she recalled. “It was a very short adoption process, and I received great support from wonderful Christian organizations to help the process.” The orphanage director often told Heather, and others who’d listen, that Zion had a “light” upon him. He often took pictures and gave them to Heather, reminding her of how special Zion was. He was adopted at age two and was back with Heather in the United States within a few months; he became a citizen on October 31, 2008.

Born with a disability called ectrodactyly, Zion had one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot. At age 6, he began having consultations with doctors, and the decision was made to amputate his feet to provide better mobility. Today he uses both prosthetics and a wheelchair to get around. “Zion had a congenital birth defect, but now he’s considered a quad amputee,” Heather explained. (As it relates to his current position with Team USA, the Paralympic wheelchair rugby competition is open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as amputation/limb loss, spinal cord injury/wheelchair users, and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.) Zion joined his new family in Tenn., where his family got larger when Heather married Mark Whitlock and gained a large, blended family. His oldest brother has autism and struggles medically and his sister Zoe, 23, attends the Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham. Heather’s heart for fostering, and especially for fostering children with medical issues, is big. In total, she’s fostered 58 children. “Zoe was my 40th medical foster child and she was my first adoption from fostering,” she said. “She came to me at two years old and was adopted at 4.” She said that her desire to foster and adopt comes from her faith. “God calls us to care for the orphans and widows,” she said. “Once I adopted Zoe, God just kept bringing other kids. It was the right thing to do.” Zoe brought Heather and Mark together at church, and they were married in 2016. Mark has four adult children from a previous marriage, and his youngest daughter was adopted from China and was born with a cleft lip and palette. “I am adopted myself, and our adoption stories brought Heather and me together,” Mark said.

Fierce Athlete. Zion’s journey to the Paralympics Games in Paris, which take place August 28 through September 8, began with a mother who encouraged him to find a sport he loved. “Once he had his amputation, I wanted him to try out every adaptive sport,” Heather said. “He’s done everything from basketball to track and field, to air rifle and climbing.” He was just nine years old when he first tried wheelchair rugby and was soon competing as part of the Cumberland Crushers rec wheelchair rugby team in Nashville. That began a path of steps–participating in his first wheelchair rugby tournament, making the 2023 Team USA Training Squad, playing for Team USA at the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, receiving an invitation to selection camp for the US Wheelchair Rugby Team, making Team USA’s travel team to the Musholm Cup in Denmark – that led to Zion being invited to try out and then make the team representing the United States at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Zion has been the youngest player on most of his teams, and at age 17 is by far the youngest on the Paralympic squad. He’s always, however, felt very welcome. “Every team I’ve been on has been great. They really feel like a family,” he said. “It’s very much a community when we come together, and I feel very included.” Zion adds that his involvement with the national teams has been exciting, and his love for the sport of wheelchair rugby is evident. “When I was 9 years old, I was already playing with older players, and later I joined the developmental team and the US team,” he said. “The Paralympic team is made up of 16 players, with 12 that travel and four who are reserves. We found out a few months ago who are traveling, and I’m one of them.” Zion said he loves the competitive nature of the sport and wants others to appreciate it as well. “When I was maybe 13, I really started enjoying it for the big hits,” he recalled. “The sport is more of a mesh between wheelchair basketball, volleyball, football, and sled hockey. But the one thing that translates from rugby is its aggressiveness. In fact, it was originally called murderball.” Once Zion became an elite athlete in the sport, Heather and Mark decided to move to Birmingham to make training easy. Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood is the home of Team USA’s wheelchair rugby and travel from Tenn. had become difficult. Heather drove Zion three hours both ways for practices, and ultimately, she told Mark they needed to move. While they loved Franklin (where Heather worked as a nanny for Christian recording artist Tasha Layton), they made the decision to relocate to Birmingham. “Once he made the developmental team, we realized he was going places. And nothing compares to Lakeshore,” she said. “We prayed a lot about it, and we know this is where God has led us.”

In the video below, Zion shares his excitement in competing in the upcoming Paralympic Games and also how his faith grounds him on and off the court.

Faithful Family. The sacrifices for Zion’s sport are just one example of how faith leads Heather and Mark’s family dynamics. They bathe all decisions in prayer and stay connected via worship and small groups at The Church at Brook Hills. Mark recently started a job as a writer and producer at WDJC-FM. “We’re a real family with ups and downs. We have conflicts and joys alike, but we’re a family that’s grateful to be saved by grace,” Mark said. “We feel really plugged into our church and we have great support for Zoe and Zion.” The thread of faith that has run through their family’s entire journey, Heather and Mark agree, is prayer. “We pray at the dinner table, we pray for all decisions,” he said. “We know that whatever happens, we will trust the Lord. Whether Zion made the team or made it to Paris, we knew it was in God’s hands. We rejoice in the news and the journey.” Heather said she often thinks back at what Zion’s orphanage director said about him being a special child bathed in light. “I know God called Zion to shine his light in the world in relation to having a disability and being able to overcome things and to live your life,” Heather said. “He’s a witness to the light and it’s a position that God has placed on Zion. We believe it’s a message to all of us to never hide that light…”

Expectant Future. Zion’s light and witness will be on display most noticeably between August 30 and September 2, when the wheelchair rugby competition takes place at the Paralympic Games. And, after that? Zion said he plans to continue competing in adaptive sports while looking forward to a future in college. The rising senior attends school through the Church at Brook Hills co-op and said that education is important to his plans. “I want to eventually do college and be an elite athlete in my sport,” he said. “I know that sports aren’t life and I’ve been taught the three A’s: academics, attitude, and ability. I know education is important, and I’m really interested in finance.” He also wants to continue to represent and teach others well about the value of people with disabilities. He encourages families to foster a sense of curiosity with a sense of respect. “I think the biggest thing is to normalize it. Look at people with disabilities with a sense of normality,” he said. “You can be curious, but we need to progress more into a mindset of curiosity combined with normalcy.” For Heather and Mark, they’ll continue to cheer on Zion during the Paris games and in upcoming competitions. And they’ll continue to put God first in all their decisions–and to teach their children to do so as well. “We pray that God’s light will continue to shine through Zion,” Mark said.

-Cheryl Wray

You can join Lakeshore Foundation for the Celebration of Champions: An Evening in Paris where you can experience an immersive experience and send of the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team as they go for gold on July 26, 2024. Click here to learn more!

Cover Story

Whether it’s talking to a client, serving in his church, or working with his wife and children on the family farm, Birmingham lawyer Steven Mezrano is committed to living a life that reflects his Christian faith. He quickly lets you know that his priorities in life are tiered–first, God; then, family; followed by work.

Faith, Family, Firm. Mezrano Alabama Injury Lawyers is one of the most successful firms in the Birmingham area and specializes in injury lawsuits that have resulted in millions of dollars in settlements. For Mezrano, however, that commercial success is the lowest priority on his ladder of what he considers “true” success. “My philosophy is ‘God, family, firm.’ It all starts with God, and then ends with God,” he said. “I try to follow the instruction to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ and I tell our lawyers to put themselves in the shoes of our clients. See things from their perspective, and then treat them the right way.” Mezrano said that his legal career emerged from those two things that take precedence over his work–his family and faith.

While Mezrano was studying to go into sports marketing, his grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. On a visit to his grandfather, he told him that Mezrano reminded him of his grandson who was chasing a dream to follow sports marketing but who really should be a lawyer. “Growing up, my grandfather used to tell me that I was going to be a Philadelphia lawyer because I loved history and politics and that I’d argue with him,” Mezrano said. “He always said that in the days when ‘children are supposed to be seen and not heard,’ I was there arguing with him.” Before his grandfather died, Mezrano told him that he would go to law school. The plan to change from sports marketing to a career in law was accelerated when his parents were in a wreck on their way to visit him in Mobile. “They were hit by an 18-wheeler,” he said, “and a lot of things happened that started my law school journey,” he said, “and then I was in a wreck that left me with a lot of medical bills.”

Despite no law career tradition in his family–his grandfather owned a restaurant, his father ran an interior design business, and his godfather was an eye doctor–Mezrano graduated from the Birmingham School of Law and received his license to practice law in 2008. His parents’ experiences after their wreck, and Mezrano’s own injury, drive his philosophy today at work. “I can tell people that I’ve been in their shoes, and I tell my lawyers to put themselves in their point of view,” he said. “When you’re in a wreck, the most important thing is how I can survive if I can’t work. We need to understand the frustration in finances and everything that goes along with that.” Today, Mezrano employs seven lawyers and 16 staff personnel. “We have offices in every major city in the state, but all of our staff works out of Birmingham,” he said. “And I’m proud to say we’re still growing.” When his office first opened, Mezrano had it blessed by his priest–and he continues to try and do work in a Christ-centered way. “When you’re a Catholic boy and in church all the time, you get a calling,” he said. “God’s calling was for me to help others through what I do. You’re trying to leave your mark with the talents He gave you.”

Family Focused. Mezrano and his wife Ashley first met at Birmingham’s St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church when they were children. “I was an altar server and I served at her baptism and her first communion,” he said, laughing, “and we always flirted back and forth at church.” They went on their “unofficial” first date when then University of Alabama student Mezrano took Ashley to her senior prom. After college, they found themselves on a double date (when Ashley refused to leave her date to go out with him), and then later reconnected after he ran into her parents, and they suggested he call her. “When we finally went out to dinner and dancing, I told her that I was going to marry her and she just laughed,” he said. Following that first “official” date in 2008, they continued dating and then married in August of 2010.  They have four children (Anthony, 12; Michael, 10; Jessica, 7; and Joe, 5), live on a farm outside Birmingham where Ashley homeschools their children, and attend St. Elias as a family. “We try to spend as much time together as we can. We work the farm together, and we center our family life around God,” Mezrano said. “We make sure to pray together every night, we pray petitions for our kids, and we attend church. It’s just a priority for us.”

While his work keeps him busy, Mezrano said that it’s important to locate time together and to become father and husband (not lawyer) as soon as he’s home. “When I get home, I change clothes and we work and play together,” he said. In addition to working on the farm (including driving tractors and waking up at dawn to do chores), the family enjoys livestock competitions, swimming together and traveling with their RV. “Life is so hectic, and right now we may not be able to go on faraway trips, but we will find ways to be together,” Mezrano said. “We thank God for what time we have, and that we are able to spend that time together.” Ultimately, Mezrano said that he and his wife strive to model a Godly family to their children; they want to provide examples that teach their children that following God is the right way to live their lives. “We really believe that our sins and shortcomings can trickle down to our kids. They can see our example,” he said. “Everything we do we do because of God. We want them to see that through us. In everything, we try to put God first.”

Watch the video below to learn more about Steven Mezrano’s faith, family, mentors and more.

Church and Community. Church has been, and continues to be, an integral part of the Mezrano family. Growing up Catholic as part of a Lebanese family, and then bringing his children up in the same congregation, has great importance to Mezrano. They are involved in various activities in the church, and they often recall how their own love story and family started within the church walls. “We’re in church every Sunday with our family,” he said. In addition to church participation, Mezrano looks at other ways he can be a Christian witness. “I don’t necessarily have a Christian platform. I’m not Tim Tebow, who can quote Bible verses and tell his story,” he said. “So, instead, I see giving back as my way to live out my faith.”

At Mezrano Alabama Injury Lawyers, lawyers and other staff members work with multiple community organizations and areas of service. The firm participates in food drives, clothes drives, and holiday sponsorships; a new project has put the firm in partnership with PBS in driver safety awareness activities. The firm is also committed to providing pro bono cases and helping people who have been injured and have no insurance. “By giving back to the community, it shows that we truly care for people. It lets people know that they have a legal recourse and that we won’t take advantage of them,” Mezrano said. “Lawyers can sometimes be called ambulance chasers, but by getting to know people in the community they’ll learn that’s not what we are. We want to help people who are taken advantage of. We want to provide a voice for people.” Ultimately, Mezrano said, his sense of service comes from his faith. “I want our firm to humble ourselves. We may have it good, but others don’t. It all comes down to treating others like you want to be treated,” he said. “I have to look at myself in the mirror and know that I did the right things. And I want my kids to see that in me.”

-Cheryl Wray

 

Cover Story 

Education stirs images of schools, classrooms, students, and teachers. For Peter Brian Hegseth, education tilts in other directions. As a matter of fact, whether it’s in his speaking engagements, television appearances, military service, or his career in general, Hegseth’s being revolves around three foundations he deems vital: faith, family, and freedom.

Education: Faith & Family. Pete and Jenny Hegseth live in Middle Tenn. and have seven children—all of whom they pray grow up to love God and country and to value freedom. Hegseth is the biological father of four of the children and stepfather to three; however, he rejects that title—saying they “are a family brought together by the grace of God. There are no ‘steps’ or ‘halves’ in the Hegseth clan.” He believes the lack of fathers—of men—in too many modern American families is a catastrophe. “Fathers chart the course and lead the path for their families and kids; a path that should lead to Jesus Christ.” Brought up by Christian parents whose beliefs paralleled the Baptist church, Pete’s home life was not political but was very faith and family based. Teenaged Pete gave his life to Christ, during the formative part of his upbringing. In retrospect—partly because of the work he has done in education—he recognizes the separation of his church life from school life. He got a secular education with all its influences and concludes, “It’s fair to say I had a Christian veneer but a secular core and thought I was ready to go out into the world and profess Christ. I wasn’t,” he says, adding, “My compartmentalized faith went with me to Princeton where I got involved in policies and took a class on Christianity that I presumed would explain the gospels. Taught by an atheist famous for studying the gnostic gospels, the professor believed Jesus died, was buried in a shallow grave, and was eaten by dogs. I realized I was not prepared to combat such thinking and went to the library to read dusty books that pointed to and explained the veracity of the gospels. Defending my faith became an academic endeavor because I sensed faith and the Bible were good. As my pastor pointed out ‘many people miss Jesus by 12 inches—the distance from their head to their heart.’ I fell squarely into that category.” 

“About 2018 I entered the Colts Neck Community Church with my wife (who was wary of what evangelical Baptists were like), and faith became real. Within 20 minutes we felt at home. The pastor spoke about his broken family past—I’m broken, you’re broken, we’re all broken and careening around not living our faith and not being deeply rooted. I thought I had to be perfect. Let’s be candid about it: Seek Christ, fully submit to Him, and allow Him Kingship in life! God’s perfect law of liberty that sets me free is Jesus—not perfection, legalism, or anything else.” He adds that inviting Jesus into his heart and life “has been edifying and liberating. I’m trying to reverse engineer that into my kids—waking up every day and knowing Who’s in charge, and it’s not me.”

“Experiences in academia helped reorder my heart and mind. I lived in a world of politics, culture, and fast-paced media that can become a person’s identity. I didn’t want my kids to think of all that first; faith, family, and freedom became three strands of the cord for my devotion—faith in Jesus Christ, kids in their schools, adults in their country and freedoms. I am devoted to preserving the posterity our country has had. I’m grateful to have a voice on Fox, but the question is still ‘What can I [we] do?’ Begin with faith and family. If we aren’t contributing, then we’re a part of the downfall of our tradition. Our individual family stories are the stories of our nation. If in three generations we can go from faithful Christian households to anti-American households, we are toast. We stand in the wreckage wondering if we can rebuild.” Part of preserving that posterity comes through the Hegseth family’s interest in Classical Christian education. After considerable research and numerous visits to several accredited schools in Fla., N.C., and Tenn., the family found Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy in Whites Creek, Tenn.—a small, country, blue-collar classical Christian school. 

A commentator on every major FOX News daytime and primetime show, Hegseth, along with Rachel Campos-Duffy and Will Cain, co-hosts FOX & Friends Weekend (6-10 AM/ET, weekends), a spot he has held since 2017. Pete also regularly guest hosts for FOX & Friends, The Five, Hannity, Ingraham Angle, Jesse Watters Primetime, and other shows. Known for boldly sharing his perspective on myriad cultural and political issues, 43-year-old Hegseth says, “Using my platform to share my Christian faith is the most valuable use of my time and resources.” A realization sparked for Hegseth, in large part, by his role as a father. “I’ve got a bunch of kids and realize the only thing that matters is introducing them to Jesus Christ. I spend time teaching them how to dribble a basketball or to love America—and those are all great—but they’re utterly insufficient.” It’s that perspective that inspired Hegseth’s special, The Life of Jesus, streaming on FOX Nation. Knowing he was utterly inadequate to tell the story, the anchor co-hosted the series with his hometown pastor from New Jersey, Chris Durkin, of Colts Neck Community Church. First and foremost, “this passion of mine reminds me, my family, and our culture… that underneath holiday pageantry is the truth and the birth of a baby in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago and the life that Jesus—fully God and fully man—lived.” In the series, Durkin and Hegseth chronicle some of the most significant stories from Scripture while retracing the steps of Jesus in the Holy Land as accurately as they can. 

Education: Country & Freedom. More than a FOX Nation host, Hegseth is an Army combat veteran, who served 12 years as an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth reminisces about being a young platoon leader, “On our first night-time air assault mission in enemy territory, we soon realized our helicopter had dropped us off in the wrong spot. We didn’t really know where we were, and it was my job to get us to the objective. I remember feeling a sense of peace and calm that I had no business having in that moment. I didn’t think much about it until weeks later when my mom said she had felt a strong urge to fall on her knees and pray for me,” he remembers, adding, “We realized she was praying at the exact time I was on that raid with my platoon. The power of prayer is real. Parents plant seeds that may take a while to sprout and grow, but God uses it all to make us into who we are.” 

“Cultures are defined by what they celebrate and honor. Too often, our culture celebrates actors and professional athletes and influencers who have no grasp of history or how special and exceptional this country is,” Hegseth explains. His flagship annual event, “The Patriot Awards,” is meant to shine the spotlight on those who really are the best and brightest of our country—everyday heroes. Personal for Hegseth, “The opportunity to host the Patriot Awards is my favorite assignment. I’m always humbled and honored. It’s unique, and it’s unifying.” 

Education: Author. In addition to his accomplishments as a veteran, compelling speaker, and news personality, Hegseth is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His 2024 release, The War on Warriors, is available now. Battle for the American Mind spent over 12 weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list, including four straight weeks at #1. The book is a field guide for remaking schools in the United States. Hegseth and David Goodwin explain, “We need to recover a lost philosophy of education grounded in virtue and excellence, equipping future generations to fight for freedom…” Classical Christian education is the Hegseth family choice. Hegseth is also the host of multiple educational series including Modern Warriors (military), Battle in the Holy Land (Israel), and most recently Poison Ivy, a look at the controversies surrounding Ivy League schools. “Being patriotic doesn’t just mean waving the flag or cheering for Team USA,” Hegseth emphasizes. “It requires teaching, instructing, and celebrating. In the most difficult times, the best thing we can do is go back to basics: faith, family, freedom- shining a light on those values- what this nation was founded on. If not America, then who? then where? Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.”

–Sheila E. Moss: author of Living to Matter: Mothers, Singles, and the Weary and Broken; Interrupting Women: Ten Conversations with Jesus; and international publications derived from teaching Bible and Christian ethics in Africa, Ukraine, Venezuela, and England. 

 

Cover Story

In considering Katie Britt’s credentials it might be no surprise to you that she represents the state of Alabama in the U.S. Senate. Her academic and professional background is proof of her qualifications, and her life with a former Alabama football star and two young children might make her life seem charmed. Britt, however, might tell you a different story and stress the fact that it’s been the hard stuff that has made her the person she is today. She feels strongly that God has brought her through tough times with a specific plan for her life.

Path to Washington. Britt’s path to politics began in earnest when she served as the Student Government Association president at the University of Alabama and then went on to earn a law degree at the school in 2013. Work followed as deputy press secretary for Alabama senator Richard Shelby, special assistant to University of Alabama president James Witt, lawyer at a Birmingham law firm, and then president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama from 2018 to 2021 while working as Senator Shelby’s chief of staff. When she was elected in 2022 to the U.S. Senate in a tightly contested race, she became the first woman to be elected to the Senate from the state and also the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate. She also proudly declares that she’s the only Republican senator with school-aged children.

While those professional accolades are noteworthy, Britt’s earlier experiences are even more remarkable in relation to how she has climbed the ladder of political success. In conversations as well as in her newest book, God Called Us to Do Hard Things, she recalls the importance of her growing-up years and how they impacted her life direction. Born in Enterprise, she proudly claims the Wiregrass–the area stretching along the coastal plain from southeastern Alabama to southern Georgia and northern Florida–as home. The people there, she said, instilled a love of service and a reliance on faith. “The area where I grew up was ruled by agriculture, small business, and the military, and I was taught from an early age that the most important things are faith, family, and freedom,” Britt said. “I watched my parents run two small businesses, teaching me about hard work and the importance of seizing opportunities.”

One of four daughters, Britt said her parents gave them direction and encouraged her and her sisters to find their path. “There was an understanding that we were meant to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives,” she said. “They taught us that we were created in God’s image and God had a purpose for each of us.” Britt often references her time in the region (her new book even has the subtitle “Lessons from the Alabama Wiregrass”), while also committing to serving the people who live there now. A recent trip to a public magnet school in Mobile gave Britt the opportunity to encourage the younger generation- and she said it was more meaningful than much of her work in Washington. “The students there asked better questions about civics than I got on the campaign trail,” she laughed, “and it really hit me that I have the opportunity to represent all the people of the state. I reminded them how bright our country’s future is because of them.” In that presentation, she also encouraged the students that it’s often the valleys of life that teach you the most important lessons. “If you’re honest about your situation and then allow God to use that situation to prepare you, you’re better prepared for what life has for you,” she said. “You have to trust Him.” That message is vital to Britt, especially as she remembers the challenges she’s had. From a close call in the April 2011 tornado outbreak in Tuscaloosa while holding her new baby in her arms to the challenges of running an upstart political campaign to struggling with an illness soon after taking office, the struggles are what have motivated Britt.

Family and Faith. Alongside Britt in both the good and challenging times are husband Wesley and their daughter Bennett, 14, and son Ridgeway, 13. Wesley was an offensive tackle at Alabama from 2001-2004, earning 1st team All SEC honors three times during his time in Tuscaloosa, and then played in the NFL from 2005-2009. The couple met while in college but remained only friends for seven years. They’ll celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in March, and Britt credits her family for keeping her on track. “Wesley’s a remarkable Christian man and was one of the first people I met at Alabama. I saw him deal with struggles with the team because he came in thinking he’d have one head coach. He ended up having four,” she said. “He had to learn resiliency and how to be a leader in challenging times.” Wesley grew up in Cullman and she in Enterprise, where her family worshiped at First Presbyterian Church where her grandparents had been instrumental in forming the congregation. Today, the Britts attend First United Methodist Church in Montgomery.

When Britt pondered running for the Senate, she relied on Wesley and her children for guidance; she prayed for Wesley’s “heart and mind” to guide their decision and they together prayed for their family and children. Ultimately, she says that one specific experience with her daughter encouraged her to keep going. “At one point I was polling at two percent and it was hard being away from the kids while campaigning. I was really questioning things,” she recalled. “But then Bennett set me down and told me I had to run. She said she wanted people to know I was a good momma and that I loved Jesus. When I told her it was hard, she looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Doesn’t God call you to do hard things?’”

Telling her Story. That and other stories made it into her book, which was published this past November. Her book publisher originally wanted her to focus on her career path, but after many of her experiences- including her visit to the Mobile magnet school- she proposed a different idea. “I wanted to talk about the valleys and the lessons we learned,” she said. “I told those kids that day that the world will knock you down, but I asked them to promise me that they would stand back up. The publishers came back and asked if I could tell the stories that I tell people.” Chapters include such topics as being unafraid to fall, breaking past limits people put on themselves, and being an agent of change. “One chapter is called ‘Falling to Finding my Way’ and it talks about things that didn’t go right and when I wasn’t successful,” she said. “I looked back and thought about everything that happened to put me on this path. What would have happened if I never ran for the SGA at Alabama? We have a plan, but God has a greater plan.”

-Cheryl Wray