By Sharon Mager
PORT DEPOSIT, Md. — In 2003, Harold Phillips, the senior pastor of Pleasant View Baptist Church, addressing the congregation, issued a challenge: “All born-again believers should be boldly proclaiming who their God is. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so. I don’t care if someone has to make a new Christian flag—we need to be flying a flag.”
For church member and professional watercolor artist Marcia Thompson Eldreth, took up that challenge, and created “The U.S. Christian Flag,” which has been raised throughout all 50 states and across the world. Now, she has rebranded the flag, calling it “Our Great Commission Flag,” boldly declaring and honoring the return of Jesus for a new generation, and the urgency of sharing the gospel now. Eldreth said, “He will be back!”
Marcia Thompson Eldreth flies her flag over the Susquehanna River near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. (Photo submitted)
She pondered how the image would look. While reflecting on Hebrews 12:22-27 about the heavenly Jerusalem and how He will once again shake the earth and heaven, the scripture felt hallowed and she asked the Lord, ‘This is your flag, what do you want on it?’ She immediately received a vision of an eagle carrying a blood-stained cross and knew it was United States specific and His purpose for our nation to take the end-time gospel to the world.
Eldreth reflected on Numbers 2:2, where each of the tribes of Israel had its own standard with the ensign of their forefathers. “The Eagle is ours,” she said.
Each part of the flag has been carefully prayed over. The colors carry profound meaning, emphasizing salvation and Jesus’ return: red for Christ’s bloodshed for the remission of sins, white for the cleansing of sins, making them white as snow; purple for Jesus as King of Kings and His return, and dark blue to reflect His being bruised for our iniquities. The stars represent the ecclesia in all states and territories in a band of unity.
Divine Appointment
Eldreth has had some divine moments along the way in her journey. One instance was when she felt prompted to pray to meet Pat Robertson, the creator and former host of “The 700 Club,” a long-running Christian television show. She wasn’t sure why, and thought it was a bit unusual, but she obeyed. A year later, God answered that prayer.
While sketching the flag design at home, she felt something was missing. A few Sundays later, while praying, she felt the Lord’s direction to pack her art supplies and travel 300 miles to Virginia Beach and did so the same day. The next day, while walking the grounds, she saw the inscription over the Broadcast studio doors and felt the Holy Spirit leading her to use that scripture, Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all of the world…then shall the end come,“ which she incorporated into the design. She was also led to include Matthew 24:4, “…Take heed that no man deceive you.”
Eldreth worked all the rest of that day and completed the drawing at 2 a.m. on July 3, 2003, and then carried it over to a live taping that same morning. Remembering the prayer she had offered over a year prior, she went with expectation, wearing her best dress in case she indeed met Dr. Robertson.
A security guard checked her art portfolio at the door, and he saw the flag drawing. She explained what it was. Unknown to Eldreth, that guard contacted Angel Watts, then a member of their public relations team. As Eldreth sat in the studio watching the show, Watts kneeled next to her and asked her to stay when the show was over. Robertson might agree to talk with her. Eldreth had not asked to see anyone and was amazed at what God was doing.
Our Great Commission flag flies at a house in North Carolina. (Photo submitted)
Robertson greeted her, saw the pre-flag drawing, prayed over it, and asked Watts to ‘see if we can’t get that on TV’. It was the feature story that ran on Flag Day in 2004 and again in 2005.
History
Eldreth sees a historic element tied to the flag — she links it to Cape Henry, where, in 1607, English settlers from the Virginia Company made their first landing. They planted a wooden cross and dedicated the land to God.
On the 400th anniversary of the landing, in 2007, Eldreth visited the site and planted her flag. As others watched, she had the opportunity to share about the purpose of the Great Commission flag. Amazingly, she was conversing with a woman by the flag site and discovered the woman was a direct descendant of Betsy Ross. And even more surprising, when she got home, she learned that Betsy Ross’ ancestors are buried in her hometown. She felt it was another of many confirmations from God on the flag project.
While she was thrilled with all that was happening, she immediately recognized the presence of spiritual warfare. Distribution had its challenges. The first batch of flags, intended to be made in the U.S., arrived with smudged red dye and wavy blue stripes, dampening the momentum. Yet, through persistence and prayer, the flags eventually reached their destinations. In addition to flying throughout the U.S., the flag also flies in Canada, Ecuador, France, and Puerto Rico. Eldreth was especially thrilled when, in 2004, a Messianic Rabbi requested the flag to be marched down Waikiki Beach between flags of Jerusalem and Israel in a Christian parade. It just so happened that Eldreth’s son-in-law’s Naval Ship was docked there at that time, and he had the honor of carrying the flag.
Now Eldreth looks to a new generation to embrace the “Our Great Commission Flag.” Eldreth said, “The flag is a bold, silent witness that speaks. This image confesses Our Lord. He will confess us before the angels of God in heaven. The mission is named ‘America’s Great Wave Offering’ to her King.
Visit the Our Great Commission Flag to learn more.
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Stories Editor
Feature photo: Pastor Harold Phillips and Marcia Thompson Eldreth display “Our Great Commission Flag”.