Faith in the Fire: A Reflection on Public Service, Conviction, and the Call to Lead

When I first stepped into public service, I did so with a deep sense of responsibility….not just to my community, but to my faith, my family, and my calling. Recently, I was honored with a renewed endorsement for public office. It was a humbling moment, one that forced me to pause and reflect not only on where I’ve been, but on the kind of leader I feel called to be moving forward.

We live in a time when politics often feels like a battlefield. The pressure to conform, to compromise, to play the game is constant. But I believe now more than ever that public service should never require the sacrifice of personal conviction. In fact, it is precisely in these chaotic times that unwavering values and faith-filled leadership are most needed.

As a mother, I see the future every time I look at my children. And I ask myself often: What kind of world are we building for them? What values are we modeling? Leadership, to me, is not about advancing an agenda, it’s about shaping a society in which truth, integrity and compassion are more than buzzwords. It’s about stewarding the space we’ve been given whether in office, at home, or in the public square….with courage and care.

Faith is my foundation. It is not something I compartmentalize or tuck away when it becomes inconvenient. While many may argue that the line between church and state must remain firm, I believe that when faith compels us to act with love, justice, and humility, that line should not be a wall, but rather a bridge. One that connects our convictions to our communities.

It is possible and necessary to bring your full self into the public sphere. To lead without abandoning what you believe. To be bold without being bitter. To be faithful without being fanatical. When we do this with integrity, we offer a powerful witness, not only to those watching now, but to the generations that follow.

My prayer is that more women, more parents, more people of faith will rise up, not to dominate the public conversation, but to dignify it. Not to impose, but to inspire. Not to retreat in the face of resistance, but to remain grounded, even when the ground beneath us shakes.

If we want a future our children can thrive in, we must be willing to stand for it now. We must be willing to serve, to sacrifice, and to stay true, especially when it’s hard.

In the end, leadership is not just what we do. It’s who we choose to be when no one is watching and when everyone is.

Inspired by the conviction to lead boldly and live faithfully, The Modern Apostle presents the Limited Edition Savage Faithful – We The People: Civic Duty tee. Designed for men and women who refuse to separate their faith from their public impact, this bold statement piece honors those who serve their communities with conviction. Wear it as a declaration of who you are—and what you stand for.

—Available now while supplies last: https://www.themodernapostlellc.com/category/savage-faithful

God Bless,

Sarah Ackbarali, CMO

The Modern Apostle LLC