Could it be young adults who model the next phase for how a civilized culture exists in North America?
Auburn University freshman and Tuscaloosa native Brilyn Hollyhand thinks so — and he intends to give his best at helping make it happen.
Interested in the intersection of faith and politics since the fourth grade, he began writing and podcasting on the topic as an 11-year-old and now at 19 is taking his message on the road.
In partnership with Turning Point USA, Hollyhand launched his “One Conversation at a Time” college campus tour Sept. 25 at the University of Arkansas. Hollyhand and his family are members of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa, but he attends FBC Opelika while at Auburn.
More than halfway through the tour, Hollyhand made four stops in Alabama — Troy University, Samford University, Auburn University and University of Alabama.
‘Christian first’
During his Oct. 9 presentation at UA, he shared how his faith and background shaped his interest in becoming a political commentator who motivates younger generations to create change by becoming politically active. He also strives to keep Jesus Christ at the center of his political beliefs, as well as the conversations he has with teens and young adults (known as Gen Z), he said.
Hollyhand, who promotes and works within the Republican party, said, “I’m a Christian first, and I’m a Republican second. The day my party steps away from Christian roles and values, I step away from the party.”
Challenging those in attendance at the UA event, Hollyhand said, “It’s been hard conversations (that promote change). This tour wasn’t titled on accident.
“I saw the divisiveness but instead of running away and hiding in fear, I said our generation is the one that can have those hard conversations to bring down the temperature,” Hollyhand said. “To bring civil discourse back to America today, and I still believe that.”
He said he reads articles from conservative, liberal and moderate viewpoints and then forms his own opinions without blindly following party beliefs.
‘Taboo’ topics
Hollyhand explained that younger people are often taught that faith and politics are “taboo” topics that are unfit to discuss around the dinner table.
“When our generation gets frustrated about politics and faith, we shoot somebody,” Hollyhand said. “We don’t know how to actually have a free exchange of ideas (and) that’s a problem.”
Hollyhand’s solution to this problem is having hard conversations and encouraging the next generation to use whatever platform God gives them to use their voices.
“It could just be simple seeds interplanted into conversation for the rest of your life with everyday people,” Hollyhand said. “That is your platform.”
Speaking out
While wearing a gray “Jesus Saves” t-shirt, Hollyhand quoted 1 Timothy 4:12 and reminded his audience to not let anyone “look down on you because you are young.” He said he knows the road is not going to be easy; however, every person has a platform and voice to make a difference in someone’s life, including pointing them to Jesus.
“There’s a reason I’m wearing a ‘Jesus Saves’ shirt right now,” Hollyhand said. “This is about Jesus. This tour is about Jesus; my career is about Jesus.
“Every single opportunity that I can have, however long I’m on this planet to point eyes back to Him, I will absolutely take it,” he said.
“I hope that every single person with a platform will turn it back to Jesus,” Hollyhand said. “We are seeing revival right now.”
Student responses
Laurel Thompson, a sophomore majoring in microbiology at UA, said she saw Hollyhand’s campus tour advertised on Instagram and decided to attend. She said she likes how Hollyhand believes he can make an impact on others even though he is young. She said Hollyhand’s age makes him more relatable.
Thompson also said she likes how he balances faith and politics in his discussions.
“It’s important to have both,” Thompson said. “I like that he said Jesus first and then his party.”
Sam Sodergren, a junior majoring in sports management, said he attended Hollyhand’s talk after seeing him on social media.
“I just like how he speaks the truth, not just about his political views, but his viewpoints on Jesus,” Sodergren said. “I love getting behind and supporting anybody that does that.”
Sodergren said he appreciates how Hollyhand uses his platform to talk about his faith. He said he thinks being rooted in Christ allows people to have political discussions based on their own biblical beliefs.
“Our Savior isn’t in the Oval Office,” Sodergren said. “Our Savior is sitting in heaven right now waiting to call us back to heaven.”
Upcoming tour stops
Hollyhand’s remaining campus appearances are: Mississippi State University, Oct. 20; Clemson University, Oct. 23; University of Tennessee, Oct. 27; and Florida State University, Nov. 13. He spoke at University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) on Sept. 30.
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