(PCC)What would you say if your sweet, mild pastor turned out to be a trained, combat-ready warrior? Most would say, Hallelujah! In America’s Revolutionary War, ministers didn’t just preach; they inspired, organized, and sometimes led men into battle. The British feared them, dubbing them the Black-Robed Regiment, pastors who saw liberty not just as a political ideal but as a divine calling. Their sermons ignited passions in hearts, and they actively participated in war themselves. They didn’t just support freedom; they fueled it.
Today, the threats are different, but the principle remains. The question is not whether churches and synagogues should form militias, but whether spiritual leaders should engage the world with courage, conviction, and readiness both morally, practically, and spiritually.
When read together, two key constitutional pillars convey a powerful message:
- Freedom of religion and speech
- The right to bear arms
Together, they outline a vision of a citizenry and clergy free to believe, speak, and defend both faith and nation.
The Modern Black-Robed Regiment is the core of who America really is! Across America, some rabbis and pastors are stepping into a role reminiscent of their revolutionary forebears—not by leading troops, but by training their communities for self-defense, protection, and moral clarity in turbulent times.
Judaism: Armed and Vigilant
- Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, a former MMA fighter, leads Magen Am USA, training Jewish civilians in firearm safety, self-defense, and situational awareness. Rabbi Yossi Eilfort has trained over 1,000 people to help secure schools and synagogues in L.A. and Phoenix.
- In Boston, Rabbi Dan Rodkin has encouraged trained congregants to carry firearms during services and is pushing for additional training for new gun owners.
These efforts arise from rising antisemitism and the urgent need for communities to protect themselves not just spiritually, but physically.
Christianity: Watchful Shepherds
- Rev. Jimmie Hardaway Jr. carries a firearm during services in Niagara Falls, prepared to defend his flock if necessary.
- Pastor Glenn Germany survived an attempted shooting in his church and now champions strong security training for all houses of worship.
- Organizations like Strategos International provide tactical training to church security teams nationwide.
A new kind of militancy is actually a reborn awakening of all who believe in the divinely divined right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Militarization doesn’t mean trading crosses or Torah scrolls for rifles. It means embracing the spirit of the Black-Robed Regiment: bold, vocal, and prepared. It means refusing to retreat into silence while moral decay or violence threatens our communities.
These leaders are not extremists. They’re protectors. They’re not trading faith for force; they’re reinforcing faith with action.
There is, as Peter Muhlenberg once said, “a time to preach and a time to fight.” For today’s rabbis and pastors, that fight may be cultural, ethical, spiritual, or, when necessary, physical.
Final Word: In today’s fractured world, perhaps it’s time for a new generation of spiritual warriors to rise not to conquer, but to defend.
https://patriotcommandcenter.org/forum/should-churches-and-synagogues-militarize-history-says-yes