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On Sunday, May 17, 2026 (Monday morning, May 18, for Australians), tens of thousands of Americans will gather on the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the first-ever rededication of the USA as one nation under God. Here’s what’s scheduled to take place and the Christian leaders headlining this historic occasion.

May 17’s “Rededicate 250: America’s Historic National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving”, an event announced and backed by the White House, is expected to draw tens of thousands of American Christians to the nation’s capitol.

The speaker list features multiple well-known American Christians, from Jonathan Roumie (beloved by millions for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen), to evangelist Franklin Graham and Grammy-winning worship artist Chris Tomlin. Notably, the event bridges Protestant and Catholic traditions, with both Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron participating alongside evangelical leaders.

According to Pastor Robert Jeffress — who is scheduled to speak at the event — Rededicate 250 could be the largest Christian gathering in 50 years.

Jeffress was referring back to Explo ‘72, a 1972 Campus Crusade for Christ conference attended by over 80,000 college and high school students in Dallas, at which the late evangelist Billy Graham preached. For context, Explo ’72 is widely regarded as one of the most significant Christian gatherings in American history, which some say marked the height of the Jesus Movement. This makes Rededicate 250’s potential scale all the more remarkable.

Event officials have written that the purpose of Rededicate 250 is to “gather in prayer, worship, and storytelling and to rededicate our country as One Nation Under God.”

Mike Johnson to Lead the Rededication

The day runs from 10:30 am to 6 pm USA Eastern Time (ET), building to its climax: the rededication of the United States to God from 5 to 6 pm, led by Speaker Mike Johnson alongside fellow Christian leaders and musicians.

Johnson wrote in his open letter of invitation to the national gathering:

“This is a unique moment for believers. For the first time in modern history, a U.S. president has called our nation to prayer — to humble ourselves and to rededicate America to God.

“This will be the first time that Americans will gather together to rededicate the United States as One Nation Under God.

“Through worship, prayer, and storytelling, we will remember the people, sacrifices, and foundational moments in which God has shaped our history. By the end, I hope you will see the truth in Benjamin Franklin’s famous admonition: ‘that God governs in the affairs of men.’”

17 May: A Deliberately Chosen Historic Day

In mid-March 1776, William Livingston, a 52-year-old member of the Continental Congress, submitted a resolution calling for a national day of “prayer, fasting, and humiliation”. Congress passed the motion, setting aside 17 May that year for that exact purpose.

The resolution was passed in the midst of political and military conflict between England and the American colonies. Three and a half months later, on 4 July, the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

“Now, exactly 250 years to the day, tens of thousands of Americans will stand together as one in our nation’s capital to give thanks for God’s blessings over the last 250 years — and to ask for his forgiveness, mercy, and guidance as we embark on the next”, wrote Johnson.

Every year from 1775 to 1783, the Continental Congress approved days of fasting, prayer, or thanksgiving. The 17 May 1776 national day of prayer and fasting was the second continental one.

Watch the Livestream

CBN News will be streaming the event live. You can watch the Rededicate 250 event on the CBN News YouTube page (see the video below) and the CBN Newschannel.

Rededicate 250 Program

The program is organised around three core ‘pillars’:

• Pillar I: The Miracles that Made Us
• Pillar II: The Miracles Still in Our Midst
• Pillar III: A New Birth of Faith and Freedom

These will occur at the following times in the USA and Australia:

Below is an outline of the program, including invitational messages from some of the key speakers.

Morning Message

A set of opening reflections that frames the spiritual purpose of the gathering and invites the nation into a posture of humility, hope, and rededication.

Segment: Opening Worship

• Andy Frank, Worship Leader
• Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
• Sadie Robertson, a popular author, speaker, and media personality who inspires her generation to live with faith and purpose
• Pastor Gary Hamrick, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel and radio host
• Pastor Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Dallas

Please join me and other Christian leaders as we address the many thousands assembled at the National Mall in Washington, DC on Sunday, May 17 at for a giant outpouring of enthusiasm for the Christian faith. We’ll celebrate the 250th birthday of America in a great and glorious… pic.twitter.com/6H3ABa4JEQ

— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) May 14, 2026

• Military Trumpets, a seven-brass ensemble performing “The Battle of Jericho”

Pillar I: The Miracles That Made Us

Recounting the major chapters of American history where God’s providence, protection, and guidance are visible.

• A Message from President Donald J. Trump

God’s Hand in the Founding of a Nation

• Ambassador Monica Crowley, the United States Chief of Protocol at the Department of State

God told the Prophet Samuel: “Those who honor Me, I will honor.”

Coming up on May 17th  “Rededicate 250” will honor God on the National Mall in DC. On that day, America will be rededicated to God as part of a national jubilee of prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

Ambassador… pic.twitter.com/sEGusEuhj3

— Erick Stakelbeck (@ErickStakelbeck) May 7, 2026

• Eric Metaxas, a best-selling author and host of the nationally syndicated The Eric Metaxas Radio Show
• Secretary Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran and the Secretary of Defense

Secretary of War @PeteHegseth is inviting you to join us on May 17 for Rededicate 250, a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Get your FREE tickets today 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cVccCAfXv0

— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) May 5, 2026

• Grand Canyon University Choir, a collegiate vocal ensemble representing one of the largest Christian universities

All Children of the Same God: The Abolition Movement

• Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, Lead Pastor of New Life Church International
• Pastor Paula White, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office

Mercy and Judgment in the Civil War

• Dr. Larry Arnn, the President of Hillsdale College and a scholar of the American founding
• Jonathan Falwell, the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor of Liberty University

Courage Under Fire in World War II

• General Pat Brady, a retired U.S. Army officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroism

Let Freedom Ring

• Senator Tim Scott, United States Senator from South Carolina

In the Face of Terror: A Nation at Prayer

• Andy Deane, Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar, CA

America’s Witness to the World

• Jonathan Roumie, an actor widely recognised for his portrayal of Jesus in the television series The Chosen
• Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse

I believe in the power of prayer! Starting tomorrow, we will be counting down the last 50 days before our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4 with PRAYER! I want to invite you to join me and pastors from all 50 states for a moment of prayer each day at 12 noon ET. You can join… pic.twitter.com/xtcXeSwsho

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 14, 2026

I’m thankful that President @realDonaldTrump has called for REDEDICATE 250: a National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving May 17 on the National Mall. I hope that everyone will come out and join with Americans from across the country for this historic event to rededicate… pic.twitter.com/8Je3zEs3PT

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 6, 2026

• Cissie Graham Lynch, a speaker and advocate with Samaritan’s Purse who focuses on upholding biblical truth in culture
• Bishop Robert Barron, the Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries

Pillar II: The Miracles Still in Our Midst

Living testimony demonstrating that God is still at work in the lives of people today.

• Abigail Robertson, a seasoned journalist and White House correspondent
• Pastor Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist
• Aodhan King, Worship Leader, Songwriter, and Founding Member of the Grammy-nominated Christian music group Hillsong Young & Free

Pillar III: A New Birth of Faith and Freedom

Calling the nation toward renewal by looking ahead to the future

• Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Senior Pastor of Free Chapel and a best-selling author

Honored to be speaking at the Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this Sunday, May 17. This is a moment for the whole nation to give thanks for 250 years, pray for the future and rededicate this nation as One Nation under God. RSVP here:… pic.twitter.com/mGc7s5sg9S

— Jentezen Franklin (@Jentezen) May 11, 2026

• Dr. Ben Carson, a world-renowned paediatric neurosurgeon and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Rededication & Worship Concert

A solemn act of gratitude and celebratory praise.

Rededication of a Nation

• Speaker Mike Johnson, the 56^th Speaker of the House
• Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the former Archbishop of New York City
• Lou Engle, Co-Founder of TheCall and Founder of Lou Engle Ministries
• Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Lead Pastor of 180 Church in Detroit

Worship Concert

• Blessing Offor, an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his powerful vocals and soul-pop-gospel style
• Chris Tomlin, a Grammy Award-winning artist and one of the most prolific songwriters in contemporary Christian music

Canberra Declaration’s 72 Hours of Prayer for the USA

Organised to coincide with Rededicate 250, the Canberra Declaration has called for 72 hours of continuous prayer for spiritual awakening in the USA (and Australia) from 15–18 May.

Held online on Zoom, prayer begins at 12 pm AEST on Friday, 15 May and runs until 12 pm, Monday, 18 May. For more information and to join the prayer meeting, head to the dedicated Canberra Declaration website here.

Rededicate 250 is free and open to the public. Register or learn more on the Rededicate 250 website here.

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Image via X/Mike Johnson.