Faith and Freedom in the Public Square
Op-Eds: David Rose & Monica Yelin explore how faith unites Americans — from the Latino community’s spirituality to pastors stepping boldly into civic life, inspired by the late Charlie Kirk.
Editor’s Note:
Last week, State 48 News took a short break so Editor Christy Kelly could celebrate a milestone birthday and finish her first book. Look for that early next year! We’re back, refreshed, and ready to catch up on all the hot-button stories everyone’s been debating while we were away.
On Charlie Kirk’s birthday and the National Day of Remembrance, this faith feature feels especially fitting. Kirk’s influence continues to inspire pastors, parents, and young believers to bring their faith into the public square and lead with conviction.
Across Arizona, faith continues to guide how people live, lead, and serve. In this op-ed series, community members share their perspectives on faith and leadership. Monica Yelin reminds us that Latinos have always leaned into their faith, and David Rose shows that Arizona’s future will be shaped by those who live their beliefs both in church and in civic life.
Op-eds provide community members a space to share their experiences, perspectives, and values that shape Arizona’s future. Contact State 48 News to submit an article for consideration.
Independent voices. Arizona stories.
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Pastors Belong in the Public Square
By David Rose
For far too long, pastors have been told to stay silent when it comes to politics. We’ve been told that faith should stay inside the four walls of our churches, that the pulpit should avoid addressing the issues that are tearing at the fabric of our society. I believe that is one of the greatest tragedies of our generation.
As a pastor, I am called to shepherd my community with truth and courage, and that includes speaking into the cultural and political issues of our day. When the Bible speaks to marriage, the sanctity of life, gender, justice, and freedom, it is not “political” — it is biblical. To remain silent would be to abdicate my responsibility as a shepherd.
That conviction has led me beyond the pulpit and into public service. Today, I have the privilege of serving as the President of the Lake Havasu Unified School District Governing Board, where we are working to improve education, protect parental rights, and ensure every child has a safe and thriving learning environment. I am also running for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 30 because I believe rural Arizona needs a strong voice in the state legislature to protect our land, water, and values.
I also serve as a pastor on the National Faith Advisory Board, where I advise national leaders — including the President of the United States — on matters of faith and religious freedom. In addition, I work with TPUSA Faith, a movement that equips pastors and Christians to engage boldly and biblically in the culture war raging for the soul of our nation.
The late Charlie Kirk was one of the most significant influences on my life and ministry. Charlie didn’t just preach about standing for truth — he lived it, no matter the cost. He challenged me personally to engage, to lead, and to fight for biblical values in the public square. He is the reason I first stepped forward to run for office, and his example continues to fuel my commitment to speak truth and contend for righteousness in our culture.
Our nation is at a crossroads. Pastors cannot remain passive observers. The pulpit must once again be the conscience of the nation. When we speak with clarity, courage, and compassion, hearts are transformed, communities are restored, and the moral trajectory of a nation can be changed.
I am a pastor. I am an elected official. I am a husband, a father, and a citizen of this great country. And I will not apologize for bringing my faith into the public arena, because the truth of God’s Word was never meant to be hidden.
Photo Credit: David Rose, Facebook
Faith: The Shared Value That Unites Latinos in America
By Monica Yelin
Faith remains one of the most powerful bonds within the Latino community in the United States. For generations, it has shaped identity, inspired service, and offered strength through both triumphs and trials.
According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of Hispanic adults identify as Catholic, while others find expression in Protestant, Evangelical, or Pentecostal traditions. Although Catholic affiliation has declined somewhat in recent years, it remains the largest faith and a cornerstone of life for the majority of Latinos.
Church attendance, prayer, and family-centered worship continue to be woven into daily culture, reflecting deeply rooted traditions passed down through generations.
From the colonial Spanish missions to modern-day parishes and ministries, faith has anchored Latino life. Places like El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico symbolize how spirituality has evolved to meet the human need for hope and healing.
Across America, churches are not only houses of worship—they are centers of community. They feed those in need, guide families through immigration and economic challenges, and nurture the moral fabric that holds neighborhoods together.
Pastors and religious leaders often serve as educators, counselors, and advocates. They help congregants navigate family struggles, youth mentorship, and civic responsibility through a foundation of faith and compassion. Their work does not end on Sunday mornings. It extends into acts of charity, community building, and, at times, voter education.
Today, many pastors, ministries, and churches collaborate with nonprofits, community organizations, and even government agencies to expand their reach. For Latinos, these partnerships are vital because they connect faith with action, bringing resources, education, and advocacy directly into neighborhoods where spiritual and practical needs often intertwine.
Latinos also tend to look for leaders who share and respect their moral and religious values. These role models go beyond the pulpit. They include teachers, coaches, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and elected officials whose lives reflect integrity, family commitment, and faith-based principles.
In a culture where religion remains central, leadership is often measured not only by success but by service and example.
It is also important to clarify that when faith leaders encourage people to register to vote, learn how the government works, or understand what candidates stand for, this is not politics—it is education.
Civic awareness empowers people to make informed choices and strengthens democracy. Teaching about government is no more political than teaching nutrition is culinary. Explaining how food affects your health doesn’t make one a chef, and describing how civic systems work doesn’t make one a politician. It is simply education, meant to uplift, not divide.
In the end, faith among Latinos is not just about religion; it is about purpose, service, and unity. It inspires resilience amid adversity, solidarity amid struggle, and gratitude amid success.
Whether in a small storefront church, a cathedral, or a prayer group at home, faith remains the heartbeat of Latino America—a living expression of hope, family, and the belief that we are called not only to worship, but to serve and uplift one another.
At the same time, some people struggle to understand why many Latinos who are deeply religious and hold pro-life convictions still support movements or candidates whose platforms seem to conflict with their spiritual values. Others of strong faith may connect with leaders who rarely speak about religion or leave God entirely out of the conversation. Yet this, too, reflects the beauty of America—the freedom to think, choose, and believe differently. Each person weighs priorities in their own way, and democracy makes room for that diversity of thought. Accepting those choices, even when they challenge our understanding, is part of showing the same respect and grace we hope to receive for our own beliefs.
Faith is what steadies the Latino heart—and in that steady rhythm, America finds its own reflection of hope, family, and freedom.
Photo Credit: Hispanic Liberty Alliance, Facebook