August 26, 2026
Should Christianity still shape America’s future? Barry Meguiar says the answer will determine the nation’s direction
IgniteAmerica founder: National renewal depends less on political battles and more on Christians moving people closer to Jesus one person at a time
PHOENIX — Americans are increasingly divided over religion’s role in public life, even as new polling points to renewed interest in faith and younger churchgoers show signs of deeper engagement.
Pew Research Center recently reported that 37% of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence in American life, the highest share since 2002. Still, 61% say religion is losing influence. Pew also found sharp partisan differences over religion’s public role, underscoring a national debate over how faith should shape government, culture and public policy.
For Barry Meguiar, founder and president of IgniteAmerica, the debate points to a more fundamental question: whether Christians will personally live and share their faith rather than depend on politics to restore biblical values.
“God hasn’t moved. America’s moved. We moved away from God.” Meguiar said. “We’ve got to get [God]. That’s our job, and that’s your job. We need to ignite Christians to IgniteAmerica with revival one person at a time. That’s the message of our ministry. We can unite America, one person at a time.”
Meguiar made the remarks during an episode of “Ignite with Barry Meguiar” featuring comedian, actor and Christian, George Janko. Janko said, “I think when the country started thriving, it just forgot who made it thrive.”
The conversation comes as political leaders increasingly invoke Christianity and Scripture while advancing sharply different agendas. At the same time, signs of renewed spiritual interest are appearing alongside longer-term declines in religious affiliation and attendance. CBN News reported in July on Lifeway Research findings that Generation Z Protestant churchgoers attend worship more frequently on average than older cohorts and are active in sharing their faith.
Meguiar said those crosscurrents should move Christians toward personal evangelism, not deeper political combat.
“If Christianity is going to influence America’s future, Christians can’t outsource that responsibility to politicians, pastors or institutions,” Meguiar said. “Our calling is personal. We need to love people, listen to them and move everyone we encounter closer to Jesus. That is how revival spreads, one person and one conversation at a time.”
IgniteAmerica’s mission, “Move Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Jesus,” is designed to equip Christians to make faith-sharing part of ordinary daily life. Its free “Ignite Your Day: A 30-Day Faith Sharing Challenge” e-book offers practical, daily steps intended to help believers begin Spirit-led conversations wherever they are.
“America’s spiritual future will not be decided only in voting booths, courtrooms or legislative chambers,” Meguiar said. “It will be decided across dinner tables, in workplaces, in neighborhoods and wherever Christians have the opportunity to show God’s love and explain the hope they have in Jesus.”
For more information about IgniteAmerica, visit IgniteAmerica.com. The “Ignite Your Day: A 30-Day Faith Sharing Challenge” is available at IgniteAmerica.com/30-day-faith-sharing-challange/.
IgniteAmerica is a national movement founded by Barry Meguiar dedicated to equipping Christians to share their faith and spark revival across the United States. Through resources, community connections and practical tools, IgniteAmerica seeks to move everyone, every day, closer to Jesus. Find out more athttps://igniteamerica.com/.
Barry Meguiar is the third-generation president ofMeguiar’s Car Wax, the top-selling car wax in America and in countries around the world. His “Car Crazy” television show aired for 18 years and was viewed on Discovery Channel Networks globally. He’s led lay ministries for the Assemblies of God and was honored by the Assemblies of God as their Layman of the Year, by the National Religious Broadcasters with their Billy Graham Award, with Moody Bible’s 1886 Legacy Award and with an honorary doctorate by Northwest University.
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To interview Barry Meguiar, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Linda Klosterman, LKlosterman@hamiltonstrategies.com.
