Mondays with Mike: Faith, Freedom, and the Founding of America
Veterans Day with Dr. Ray Gamble
Dear PCA Community,
Tomorrow, we pause as a nation to honor our veterans—men and women who have worn the uniform and served with courage and sacrifice.
At PCA, we believe that gratitude for those who serve flows naturally from our love for God, who calls us to remember and give thanks.
In this special Mondays with Mike, I sit down with Dr. Ray Gamble, a retired U.S. Army officer, West Point graduate, and longtime PCA history professor. I met Dr. Gamble shortly after arriving at PCA, and I quickly learned that our time at West Point had overlapped—he was then a young history professor, and I was a cadet. I already knew of his reputation for faith, high expectations, and his deep love for helping students grasp the story of America and its ideals. He remains one of the most well-read people I know.
Whether teaching, preparing lectures, or cheering on our volleyball teams—where he’s a faithful, stalwart fan—Dr. Gamble always has a book in hand, catching a few pages between plays. His faith-filled love of learning and his gift for connecting God’s providence to the arc of history have shaped generations of PCA students. I often wish every one of our young people could experience his two-year American History sequence that once graced our curriculum.
As part of our America 250 Remembrance Series, Dr. Gamble helps us reflect on how faith, freedom, and perseverance forged our country—and what these lessons mean for us today.
You are invited also to join us tomorrow morning at 11AM for our Veterans Day Chapel. If you cannot attend in person, we are streaming live from campus–the link is below. Please view and please share!
We are so grateful to God for guiding our country and our people through the most challenging of times. We especially thank Him for sustaining our veterans and their families. May God bless them, and may God bless America.
Mike Runey
Head of School
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Key Takeaways
- Faith and Freedom Intertwined: New England clergy wrestled with Romans 13 even as they supported independence—reminding us that freedom must remain tethered to faith and moral responsibility.
- The Cost of Liberty: The six-year Revolutionary War exacted heavy loss; many died not in battle but in prison camps and deprivation. Our freedom rests on unseen sacrifice.
- Transformation Through Trials: The Continental Army matured from local militias into a disciplined, unified force—an image of how perseverance and training build strength of character.
- Leadership and Unity: George Washington’s appointment unified North and South, showing that humility and vision are essential to lasting leadership.
- History for Formation: Studying history through a biblical lens cultivates gratitude, discernment, and civic virtue—the very qualities we seek to nurture in PCA students.
To hear past episodes, share with your loved ones and friends, follow, and even review us, check out our PCA Podcast on these platforms:
