In commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, the July cover highlights a diverse collection of Christians who significantly altered the religious landscape of the country. Their contributions to the fabric of American faith life have been indelible. Their legacies have at times been debated and critiqued. Nonetheless, each is woven into the fabric of Christian faith in America. We celebrate the efforts of all our Christian forebears to reform the nation and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.

• Francis Asbury, Bishop of  Methodism and well-traveled evangelist
• Richard Allen, Abolitionist and founder of African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Charles G. Finney, Presbyterian minister and leader in the Second Great Awakening
• Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights leader and Baptist minister
• Samuel Logan Brengle, Commissioner and leading author and preacher of holiness
• Billy Graham, Evangelist to over 210 million people in more than 185 countries
• John Wesley, Anglican priest and principle leader of Methodist revival
• Fannie Lou Hamer, Civil rights activist and champion for womens rights
• Dorothy Day, Catholic journalist who sought to improve conditions for workers
• Reinhold Niebuhr, Acclaimed theologian and promoter of Christian realism
• Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island and advocate for religious liberty
• Billy Sunday, Famous evangelist and former professional baseball outfielder
• Phineas F. Bresee, minister and founder of the Church of the Nazarene
• Orange Scott, Abolitionist and founder of precursor to Wesleyan Church
• Evangeline Booth, First woman General of The Salvation Army
• Norman Vincent Peale, Pastor and author of “The Power of Positive Thinking”
• William J. Seymour, Holiness Pentecostal preacher of Azusa Street Revival
• William Cameron Townsend, Missionary and founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators
• Elisabeth Elliot, Author and missionary to Huaorani people
• Sojourner Truth, Abolitionist and activist for women’s rights and temperance

Illustration by Luigi Olivadoti