Forging the Future
of New England

By Rev. Jake Dell In an era of spiritual awakening, young American men—particularly those of heritage stock—are increasingly drawn to ancient Christian traditions. Amidst the chaos of woke ideology and cultural decay, many seek refuge in the ornate liturgies of Eastern Orthodoxy or the structured hierarchies of Roman Catholicism. These paths offer timeless rituals, unyielding doctrines, and a rejection of modern progressivism, symbolized by churches free of rainbow flags. Yet, as a pastor rooted in New England's historic soil, I argue that the most authentic and attractive faith for these men lies not in imported traditions, but in the home-grown American Protestantism of our fathers, as discussed in my recent interview on The SCIF with L. Todd Wood . This tradition is woven into the fabric of America itself. Born from the Puritan settlers who braved the Atlantic in the 17th century, it embodies the pioneer spirit that founded towns like Woodbury, Connecticut, in 1659. These early congregations were not mere religious outposts; they were ecclesiastical societies that chartered communities, taxed for church upkeep, and educated children in biblical truth. Churches like the First Congregational in Woodbury, with its 1818 meeting house, stand as living monuments to a faith that seeded liberty and self-governance. From the Great Awakening revivals of Jonathan Edwards to the abolitionist fervor of the 19th century, this Protestantism fueled America's moral compass, emphasizing personal encounter with God through Scripture over mediated rituals. Why should young heritage-American men prefer this over Orthodoxy or Catholicism? First, it's native to our land. Orthodoxy, with its Byzantine icons and Slavic chants, thrives in Greece or Russia but feels foreign in the cradle of American liberty. Catholicism, while influential through later immigration, carries the baggage of papal authority and historical entanglements with European monarchies—elements at odds with our republican ethos. American Protestantism, by contrast, is the faith of the Mayflower Compact, where believers covenanted directly with God and one another, fostering individualism and communal responsibility without intermediaries. Moreover, it aligns with the masculine virtues young men crave: boldness, self-reliance, and action. Protestantism's emphasis on sola scriptura—Scripture alone—empowers men to read God's word themselves, without needing priestly interpretation. It's a faith for builders, not mere preservers; one that demands reclaiming hijacked institutions from progressive "wolves" who wave flags of compromise. The appeal of ancient traditions is understandable in a deracinated age, but importing them risks further cultural alienation. Instead, imagine revitalizing a colonial church: stripping away liberal accretions, preaching unvarnished truth, and forging communities that echo our ancestors' resilience. This is no retreat—it's a noble conquest—like the New England wilderness of old. As tides turn against wokeness, per divine providence, young men can pour gas on the revival by restoring these bastions. In Connecticut, where revival stirs anew, churches like mine welcome sinners to a straightforward faith: yes means yes, no means no. It's time to make American Protestantism great again—not through novelty, but fidelity to our heritage. Young men, your fathers' God calls you home. The Rev. Jake Dell, pastor of First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut, is a former Episcopal priest and Yale College graduate.