Held in the theater at the Museum of the Bible, the event brought together public officials, legal scholars, and civic leaders to discuss the future of religious liberty in the United States.
Established during the Trump Administration, the Religious Liberty Commission examines the historical foundations and modern challenges of religious freedom in American public life. The commission is chaired by Dan Patrick, with Ben Carson serving as vice chair.
For PHC students, the invitation meant being present for a national policy discussion in Washington, D.C., watching how those conversations unfold among public officials and civic leaders.
Before sunrise, students dressed in business attire gathered on campus and departed for the capital. By the time they arrived at the Museum of the Bible, the auditorium was already filling with guests, including senators, members of Congress, and other civic leaders.
The hearing, titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Religious Liberty in America,” explored the role of religion in public life, the scope of legal protections for religious exercise, and how those protections are debated in modern policy and the courts.
“I was very grateful for the opportunity to attend the hearing with good friends from PHC,” said freshman Olivia Moore. “It was exciting to see many inspiring leaders at the event, and the testimonies shared were very thought-provoking.”
Following the hearing, Moore briefly met Dr. Ben Carson backstage.
For students, the experience made conversations about policy and religious freedom more immediate and tangible.
"It was a privilege to be able to watch the proceedings of the United States government as they addressed the important issue of religious liberty, and explained why it's central to our government," said senior Benjamin Arroyave. "It was such a cool opportunity to hear from people like Ben Carson and Eric Metaxas at such a close level."
"The whole event was a reminder to appreciate the religious freedom we enjoy in this country and to make good use of it," Moore said.
Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.