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This July 4th marks 244 years since America declared independence from England. Sometimes we forget that what was at stake was FREEDOM itself which the Bible says God wants for all people. It says that knowing the Truth is what sets us free (John 8:32), that Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) and that wherever His Spirit is present there is FREEDOM (2 Corinthians 3:17). At its root, freedom isn’t a political thing, it’s a blessing from God and many in the 18th century American clergy saw unrighteous bondage to England as the usurping of a sacred biblical endowment.

Over the eight years of war, there were many pastors who became directly involved. They fought in it themselves, led their congregations into battle and risked everything for the cause of FREEDOM. Modern historians have documented that every right asserted in the Declaration of Independence had been preached from Colonial pulpits well before the war started. They were so effective in their pursuit of FREEDOM that after the war, the British generals said that had it not been for the “Black Regiment,” referring offhandedly to their church robes, the colonists would not have won. Hundreds of Pastors had preached FREEDOM from their pulpits and then led their people into battle. Many faced execution if they were captured.

This series focuses on five examples of these great ministers that you may not know about because their involvement in the Revolutionary War is rarely taught anymore. This week features Pastor Jonas Clark from the Lexington, Massachusetts Church of Christ. Most people have heard of Paul Revere and the famous shot heard ‘round the world. What you may not know is why he made that ride. You’ve also heard of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, patriot leaders whom the British yearned to capture for all their “rabble rousing.” What you may not know is that they were the reason for Paul Revere’s ride and that Pastor Jonas Clark was at the center of this whole story.

On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was summoned by Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston and given instructions to ride to Lexington with the news that “regular army” British troops were about to march to Lexington and Concord. Their dual objectives were to confiscate rebel armaments hidden in Concord and to bring back the dead bodies of John Hancock and Samuel Adams who were staying in Pastor Clark’s home. Hancock was the Pastor’s cousin and he and Samuel Adams frequently stayed secretly with the Pastor as they traveled about avoiding the authorities.

So it was that Paul Revere started his ride on the 15-mile trip to Pastor Clark’s home in Lexington to warn the two Patriot leaders. As he rode, he yelled out to those he passed that “the Regulars are coming,” referring to those British regular army troops. By the next morning Pastor Clark had assembled his 150-member militia, mostly members of his church and commanded by Deacon John Parker. You know the story: those British soldiers fired on Jonas Clark and his people starting the Revolutionary War and leaving 7 dead patriot-members of the Lexington Church of Christ.

The two patriot leaders escaped, the militia saved the armaments and Pastor Clark survived to continue as a key community leader and militia organizer for the duration of the War. Eventually he was instrumental in the creation of both the Massachusetts and U.S. Constitutions and a major leader in his new country. Now you know the rest of the story about a special minister that God used in His plan for America. The battle for freedom officially started on the front steps of the Lexington Church of Christ.