Area News

Community Gathers in Stronghurst to Honor Faith, Service, and America’s Founding Principles

The Community Church Council held its annual “God and Country” program Sunday night in the Stronghurst Village Park. The event unofficially kicked off Henderson County’s celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial. Church and local leaders spoke on the importance of faith as the foundation of the nation and community, while honoring those who serve and protect both.

Terre Haute Community Church pastor A. Lee Unger delivered the main message, focusing on national humility and healing. He read from Psalm 33:10-12, declaring, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” and from 2 Chronicles 7:11-14, highlighting God’s promise: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

In a closing prayer, Unger asked for healing of the nation’s “divisions, wounds, and brokenness,” wisdom for leaders at every level of government, peace in streets and homes, and for citizens to act with compassion, kindness, and unity. He urged trust in God’s providence even when evil seems to prevail.

Quentin Peterson, leader of Raritan Reformed Church and Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran Church, offered a prayer for national repentance and bipartisan cooperation. He called on leaders of both parties to set aside personal agendas, submit to God, and follow His precepts. Peterson prayed for a return to God at all levels of government, for schools to teach biblical principles and the Golden Rule, and for families and believers to lead by example. “Our nation is a great nation,” he said, “but it can only be great if you’re the God of this nation.”

Josh Higgins, Gladstone resident, U.S. Air Force veteran, and candidate for Illinois House District 94, spoke on the nation’s founding principles. He emphasized that rights come from the Creator, not government, and that government’s role is to respect the dignity of every person. Addressing church-state separation, Higgins said the principle was meant to prevent a national church and protect religious freedom, not to banish faith from public life. “The wall was meant to keep government out of the pulpit, not to keep truth out of public life,” he said.

Higgins called for moral renewal through self-governance, urging attendees to honor God, cherish the Constitution, and defend every person’s right to speak, worship, and live according to conscience.

Brendan Schaley, Stronghurst mayor, West Central School Board president, and retired Illinois State Trooper, honored the courage and faith of America’s founders. He noted that while Americans come from diverse backgrounds, shared values of compassion, integrity, sacrifice, and hope have united the country. Schaley described the American story as one of perseverance, with each generation striving to build a more just and free nation.

He recognized service members, first responders, and volunteers, including his father, Ron Shaley, son-in-law Jack Krieger (U.S. Army, Fort Stewart, Ga.), and son Jacob Quigley (U.S. Marine Corps, Cherry Point, N.C.). He said America's greatest strength is its people, citing families, teachers, and volunteers, and said Stronghurst and the surrounding communities embody those values. Schaley closed by calling for wisdom from God, courage to do what is right, and humility to work together across differences.

Lee Moore, EMT with the Stronghurst-Raritan Ambulance Service, MST Fire Department, Raritan Fire Department and Blandinsville-Hire Fire Department, shared his journey into emergency service. The Blandinsville resident joined the fire service at age 44, became an EMR in 2018, and an EMT in 2020. He recognized fellow first responders in the audience, including Tanner Bigger, Steve Wisslead, Zach Jacobs, and Delmar Jacob and Mary Alice and spoke of the emotional toll of the job, including PTSD and difficult calls. A pediatric emergency on March 5, 2023, prompted him to begin attending Stronghurst Christian Church. Moore thanked the community for its support and asked residents to pray when they see emergency lights and thanked the late Ralph Tatge for mentoring him.

Steve Minkler of Stronghurst Christian Church closed with a historical message. He recounted that on March 16, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared May 17 a national day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, two months before the Declaration of Independence. Before confronting King George III, the founders knelt before the King of Kings, confessing sins and seeking God’s guidance for liberty.

Minkler quoted John Adams that the Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. He concluded that for America to endure another 250 years, the nation must once again bow, pray, seek God, and place Him at the center of its life.

The La Harpe Historical Society had a guest speaker at the Fourth of July celebration in the La Harpe clubhouse  to celebrate America’s 250th birthday of our nation.  

Dave McCarter spoke on “Liberty’s Frontier”.  Dr. McCarter graduated from the University of Iowa in 2000 with a PhD in history.  He has taught at several institutions.  Most recently he is teaching history classes at Carl Sandburg College in Carthage.

James Printy from Printy Funeral Home donated a beautiful tapestry to go along with the speaker. It was displayed at the clubhouse during Dr. McCarter’s presentation.  

The tapestry is now on display at the La Harpe Historical and Genealogical Society.  

They still have 250th commemorative ornaments on sale at the La Harpe Historical Society.  If interested please call 309-333-7275.  What a nice keepsake about our nation.