Europeans generally think of Americans as very religious. They see things like a public swearing-in with a hand on the Bible and read a lot into that—even as it is somewhat of a formality that may have no obvious religious significance for those taking an oath.

My wife and I live in a small village—a hamlet—in rural France, and as in all the villages around us, we have an ancient parish church, with its strong bells regulating life. The painting “The Angelus” shows peasants with heads lowered in a field. They are our neighbours.

My wife and I were in the United States over the holidays, to see my mother who is aging, wider family, and just enjoy some warmer weather.

Wycliffe College Alumnus Brian C. Stiller (W '75, M.Rel.) has been one of this country’s most prominent evangelical leaders, having served terms as President of: Youth for Christ (Canada), the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and Tyndale University College & Seminary. Since 2011 he has held the position of Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, a global alliance serving some 600 million evangelical Christians.