Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in American media and a veteran, often speaks passionately about faith, family, and freedom. For those familiar with his outspoken views on Fox News and his advocacy for conservative values, the role of Christianity in his life is evident. However, understanding when Pete Hegseth truly embraced Christianity is a more nuanced exploration, revealing a journey of faith that moved from intellectual understanding to heartfelt conviction.
Hegseth’s background wasn’t devoid of faith; he was raised by Christian parents within a Baptist tradition. His upbringing instilled in him the general values associated with Christianity, creating a home environment grounded in faith and family. However, as Hegseth himself describes, his faith during his younger years was more of a “veneer” than a deeply rooted conviction. He acknowledges a separation between his church life and his secular education, recognizing that he developed a “Christian veneer but a secular core.” This compartmentalization led him to believe he was prepared to profess Christ to the world, a notion he later realized was premature.
This initial understanding of faith was tested during his time at Princeton University. While exploring policies, Hegseth enrolled in a Christianity class, anticipating a deeper understanding of the gospels. Instead, the class, taught by an atheist professor known for studying gnostic gospels, presented a starkly different perspective. The professor questioned the fundamental tenets of Christian belief, even suggesting the resurrection was a myth. This academic challenge became a pivotal moment for Hegseth. Instead of accepting these challenges at face value, it spurred him to delve deeper into the intellectual foundations of his faith. He turned to the library, seeking out resources that defended the veracity of the gospels. This period marked the beginning of a more intentional and academically driven defense of his faith, moving beyond a superficial understanding.
Despite this intellectual exploration, Hegseth recognized a disconnect between his head knowledge and a genuine heart transformation. He recounts a pastor’s observation that “many people miss Jesus by 12 inches—the distance from their head to their heart,” and realized he fell squarely into that category. His faith, while present in his upbringing and intellectually defended at Princeton, had not yet become a fully integrated and transformative force in his life.
The significant shift in Pete Hegseth’s faith journey appears to have occurred around 2018. He describes joining the Colts Neck Community Church with his wife, Jenny. Initially, his wife was hesitant, unsure of what to expect from an evangelical Baptist church. However, their experience at Colts Neck Community Church was transformative. Within a mere twenty minutes, they felt a sense of belonging and connection. The pastor’s message of shared brokenness and the need for genuine faith resonated deeply with Hegseth. He realized he had been striving for perfection, rather than embracing the core Christian message of seeking Christ and submitting to His Lordship.
This period marked a profound shift from intellectual assent to heartfelt surrender. Hegseth emphasizes the realization that true faith wasn’t about legalism or outward perfection, but about “truly inviting [Jesus] into my heart—to command my life.” This invitation, he says, has been “edifying and liberating.” He describes it as a process of “reverse engineering” faith into his life and the lives of his children, consciously choosing to acknowledge God’s authority each day. This deeper faith spurred him to further educate himself, including traveling to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, solidifying his understanding and commitment.
Hegseth’s experiences in academia, politics, and media had, in his words, created a world where those aspects could become his identity. However, his faith transformation reordered his priorities. Faith, family, and freedom became the “three strands of the cord” guiding his life, with faith in Jesus Christ taking precedence. He recognized the importance of his platform, particularly on Fox News, as an opportunity to share his Christian faith, viewing it as the “most valuable use of my time and resources.” This conviction is further fueled by his role as a father, driving his desire to introduce his children to Jesus Christ as the most essential aspect of their upbringing.
This deepened faith is visibly expressed in projects like The Life of Jesus, a FOX Nation series co-hosted with his pastor from Colts Neck Community Church, Chris Durkin. The series reflects Hegseth’s desire to move beyond the superficial aspects of faith and delve into the historical and spiritual reality of Jesus’ life. By retracing the steps of Jesus in the Holy Land, Hegseth aims to bring viewers closer to the tangible reality of the Gospels and the profound impact of Christ’s life.
In conclusion, while Pete Hegseth was raised in a Christian home and had an intellectual understanding of Christianity from a young age, his genuine and transformative embrace of Christian faith appears to have solidified around 2018. This period marked a shift from a “Christian veneer” to a deeply personal and guiding faith, influencing his priorities, his family life, and his public platform. His journey highlights the ongoing nature of faith development, moving from head knowledge to heart conviction, and the profound impact of surrendering to Christ’s Lordship.
