Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in American media and a veteran, often speaks passionately about faith, family, and freedom. These values are not just talking points for Hegseth; they are the pillars upon which he has built his life and, most importantly, his family. Moving to Tennessee was a deliberate choice for the Hegseth family, seeking a community that mirrored their deeply held beliefs. As Hegseth himself stated, “We knew we wanted its all-around general values but also knew we would need a smaller community, and that has come through our kids’ school and through church.” This move underscores the central role of family in Hegseth’s life and public persona.
The Hegseth Family Foundation: Faith and Fatherhood
For Pete Hegseth, education begins at home, rooted in faith and family values. Whether he’s on television, engaging in public speaking, or reflecting on his military service, his core principles are consistently faith, family, and freedom. This triad shapes his perspective and informs his life’s work.
Pete and Jenny Hegseth are parents to seven children, a blended family united by their shared faith. While Pete is the biological father of four and stepfather to three, he firmly rejects the term “stepfather.” For the Hegseths, they are simply “a family brought together by the grace of God,” where distinctions like “steps” or “halves” have no place. This unified family structure is crucial to Hegseth, who believes strongly in the vital role of fathers in modern American families. He sees the absence of fathers as a significant societal issue, asserting that “Fathers chart the course and lead the path for their families and kids; a path that should lead to Jesus Christ.”
Hegseth’s own upbringing in a Christian household, influenced by Baptist traditions, laid the groundwork for his deep faith. While his home life wasn’t overtly political, it was deeply centered on faith and family. His teenage commitment to Christianity was a formative experience. Looking back, especially through his work in education advocacy, he recognizes a disconnect between his church life and his secular schooling. He acknowledges receiving a secular education with its inherent influences, leading him to conclude, “It’s fair to say I had a Christian veneer but a secular core and thought I was ready to go out into world and profess Christ. I wasn’t.”
This realization deepened during his time at Princeton. Engaging with policy studies and a Christianity course taught by an atheist professor challenged the foundations of his faith. The professor’s skeptical views on the gospels prompted Hegseth to embark on an intellectual and spiritual journey to defend his beliefs. He immersed himself in theological texts, seeking to understand and articulate the veracity of the gospels. This period transformed his faith from a superficial understanding to a deeply considered conviction.
Alt text: Pete Hegseth passionately speaking about the importance of faith in a public forum, emphasizing his commitment to Christian values.
Reflecting on this transformative period, Hegseth quotes his pastor, “many people miss Jesus by 12 inches—the distance from their head to their heart.’ I fell squarely into that category.” His spiritual journey reached a turning point around 2018 when he and his wife, Jenny, found a spiritual home at Colts Neck Community Church. Despite Jenny’s initial reservations about evangelical Baptist churches, they immediately felt welcomed. The pastor’s message of shared brokenness and the call to genuine faith resonated deeply with Hegseth. He realized that faith wasn’t about striving for perfection but about embracing Christ’s Kingship in his life. “Truly inviting [Jesus] into my heart—to command my life—has been edifying and liberating. I’m trying to reverse engineer that into my kids—waking up every day and knowing Who’s in charge, and it’s not me.” This commitment to faith is something he actively cultivates within his family, aiming to instill a Christ-centered worldview in his children from a young age. Travels to the Holy Land further enrich his understanding and strengthen his faith, experiences he integrates into his family life. For Hegseth, faith moved beyond intellectual assent to a deeply felt reality, impacting every aspect of his life.
His experiences in academia and the fast-paced world of media led him to re-evaluate his priorities. He recognized the danger of allowing politics, culture, and career to define his identity. Instead, he consciously chose to center his life around “faith, family, and freedom,” considering them “three strands of the cord for my devotion.” This devotion manifests as faith in Jesus Christ, commitment to his children’s upbringing, and dedication to preserving American freedoms. He views his platform at Fox News as a means to advance these values, constantly asking, “What can I [we] do?” His answer consistently returns to the foundational importance of faith and family. He warns of societal decline if these values are neglected, emphasizing that “Our individual family stories are the stories of our nation. If in three generations we can go from faithful Christian households to anti-American households, we are toast. We stand in the wreckage wondering if we can rebuild.”
Classical Christian Education: A Family Choice
The Hegseth family’s dedication to these principles extends to their educational choices. They are strong proponents of Classical Christian education. After extensive research and visits to numerous schools, they chose Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy in Whites Creek, Tennessee, for their children. This small, community-focused school aligned perfectly with their values. Their commitment was so profound that they relocated to be within a 20-mile radius of the school, prioritizing their children’s education and the community it offered. This decision reflects their belief in the importance of a holistic education that integrates faith and rigorous academics. They also sought a church community that shared their commitment to covenant Christianity and generational faith, finding both at Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy and the surrounding community. Hegseth describes his family as “a young family trying to draw near to God as He draws near to us.”
Alt text: Warm family portrait of Pete Hegseth, his wife Jenny Hegseth, and their seven children, showcasing their close-knit family bond and values.
Hegseth also emphasizes the importance of male fellowship and accountability in his life. He participates in a Bible and book study group, finding “accountability in meeting with other men who can share openly” to be invaluable. He describes it as “a fortification of brotherhood,” providing a space to grapple with applying biblical principles to daily life. This brotherhood offers a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose reminiscent of his military experience, a dimension he deeply values.
Pete Hegseth: Public Platform, Personal Values
Pete Hegseth’s public role as a commentator and co-host of FOX & Friends Weekend provides him with a significant platform. Known for his forthright opinions on cultural and political issues, Hegseth sees “using my platform to share my Christian faith” as the most impactful use of his influence. This conviction is deeply rooted in his role as a father. “I’ve got a bunch of kids and realize the only thing that matters is introducing them to Jesus Christ. I spend time teaching them how to dribble a basketball or to love America—and those are all great—but they’re utterly insufficient.” His focus is clear: faith is paramount.
This perspective inspired his FOX Nation special, The Life of Jesus, co-hosted with his pastor, Chris Durkin. The series aims not to prove scripture but to bring viewers to the locations of biblical events in the Holy Land, enhancing understanding and faith. Hegseth emphasizes the importance of focusing on “the truth and the birth of a baby in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago and the life that Jesus—fully God and fully man—lived,” reminding audiences of the core meaning of Christian holidays. His passion for sharing his faith is palpable, driven by a desire to impact his family and wider culture.
Freedom and Patriotism: Extending Family Values to the Nation
Beyond faith and family, freedom is the third pillar of Hegseth’s values. His 12 years of service as an Army Infantry Officer, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, deeply inform his understanding of freedom and patriotism. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge, tangible symbols of his commitment to his country. His experience as CEO of Concerned Veterans for America further demonstrates his dedication to veterans’ advocacy and American ideals.
Alt text: Pete Hegseth in his Army uniform, displaying his military service and dedication to his country, reflecting his commitment to freedom.
Hegseth views culture as being defined by what it celebrates and honors. He critiques the tendency to idolize celebrities who lack historical understanding or appreciation for American exceptionalism. In response, he created “The Patriot Awards,” an annual event held in Nashville, designed to honor “everyday heroes” and those who truly embody American values. Hosting the Patriot Awards is a deeply meaningful assignment for Hegseth, an opportunity to spotlight genuine American heroes and promote national unity.
Author and Advocate: Shaping Future Generations
Adding to his multifaceted career, Hegseth is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His book, Battle for the American Mind, co-authored with David Goodwin, addresses the critical issue of education in America. Spending over 12 weeks on the bestseller list, including four weeks at #1, the book highlights the need to reclaim a philosophy of education rooted in virtue and excellence to equip future generations to defend freedom. Hegseth argues that the current educational system often undermines American values, leading to a decline in civic understanding and engagement. He and Goodwin contend, “We need to recover a lost philosophy of education grounded in virtue and excellence, equipping future generations to fight for freedom. Today, after 16,000 hours of K-12 programming, our kids come out of government schools hating America. They roll their eyes at religion and disdain history.” His previous books, American Crusade and Modern Warriors, also achieved bestseller status, solidifying his role as a thought leader and influential voice in conservative circles.
Hegseth’s commitment to “faith, family, freedom” is not merely rhetoric; it is a lived reality that shapes his career, his family life, and his public advocacy. He sees patriotism as “love of our founding ideals” and a commitment to the “experiment in self-governance and human freedom.” For Hegseth, these values are inextricably linked to his Christian faith, emphasizing that freedoms originate from God, not government. He calls for a return to these basics, urging individuals to “go back to basics: faith, family, freedom—shining a light on those values—what this nation was founded on.” His concluding thought is a powerful call to action: “Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.”
Pete Hegseth’s life and work are a testament to his core values. From his family life in Tennessee to his national platform, he consistently champions faith, family, and freedom, striving to make a lasting impact on American culture and future generations.
References
- nashchristian.com/2023/10/the-inaugural-freedom-ball-was-a-spectacular-success-celebrating-freedom-and-the-upcoming-universal-studio-release-of-the-award-winning-film-sight/
- nashchristian.com/2024/09/how-do-i-integrate-my-christian-faith-with-day-to-day-business-practices/
- nation.foxnews.com/the-life-of-jesus-nation/
