Why Our Refugee Family Will Never Take America for Granted

On July 4, 2026, as America celebrated its 250th anniversary, I joined my sister Maria for a deeply personal conversation about faith, freedom, immigration, and the responsibility we have to the next generation.Our family came to the United States as refugees seeking religious freedom after experiencing life under the Soviet system. Maria shares the unforgettable story of being a 10-year-old girl in Kazakhstan, hidden with other children in the basement of a Baptist church while KGB agents searched the building. Years later, our parents brought us to America, where we were welcomed by a Southern Baptist church that fed us, clothed us, helped our family establish a new life, and gave us a place to worship freely.In this conversation, we reflect on what makes America worth thanking God for, the Christian convictions that shaped our understanding of this country, and why freedom should never be treated as something automatic or guaranteed. We also talk about the sacrifices of our parents, the providence of God in our immigration story, and the responsibility Christians now have to become “watchmen on the walls” for another generation.We especially challenge Christian parents to go back to the basics: teach Scripture, reclaim biblical language, listen to your children, pursue them intentionally, and become pillars in their lives rather than simply allowing influencers and algorithms to disciple them.America has given our family opportunities to worship, raise families, build businesses, plant churches, and openly proclaim the gospel—freedoms our family once could only dream about.As we commemorate 250 years of the United States of America, the question is not simply, “What has America given us?” The question is: What will we do with the freedom we have been given, and what kind of country and faith will we pass on to our children?“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” — Psalm 33:12May we never take our freedom for granted. May we faithfully pass the gospel to the next generation. And may God bless America.To connect with Mariya Gusenkov: Subscribe to her YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VirtuousMotherhoodFollow Mariya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtuousmotherhood/Check out Mariya’s website: https://www.virtuousmotherhood.com/To connect with Bogdan Kipko:Subscribe to his YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kipkoFollow Bogdan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kipko/Check out Bogdan's website: bogdankipko.comFollow Pastor Kipko on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kipkoWatch all sermons from Forward Church on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kipkoTo get in touch with Forward Church or to request Pastor Bogdan Kipko to speak at your church or event, please send an email to: [email protected] If you are visiting Southern California, we would love to have you come and enjoy the Sunday Service at Forward Church!