Dallas Baptist University’s Institute for Global Engagement will host a power-packed conference, “Praying for all the Persecuted,” in late October focused on inspiring the church to pray and advocate for anyone facing persecution for their faith. Knox Thames, an international human rights lawyer, advocate, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting human rights, defending religious minorities, and combatting …
Ending Persecution: Charting the Path to Global Religious Freedom by Knox Thames
21Wilberforce board member, Knox Thames, is the author of ENDING PERSECUTION: Charting the Path to Global Religious Freedom just released by the University of Notre Dame Press. “A pandemic is sweeping the world, but not just COVID; a pandemic of persecution is impacting every faith community globally,” said Thames. “ENDING PERSECUTION exposes the reality of religious repression while arguing for …
Grassroots advocacy centers plan key for new president of 21Wilberforce
By Chris Eyte, Reprinted from ChristianDaily.com Wissam al-Saliby never dreamed of leaving his beloved country of Lebanon, but the call from God to help the persecuted church was strong. With a background in law, the newly appointed (May) president of Virginia-based Christian human rights group 21Wilberforce had served as director and advocacy officer of the U.N. Office for the World …
The Church and Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities
“Religious freedom is a defining value of Baptists and advancing it globally is a central missional commitment of the BWA,” BWA General Secretary and CEO Elijah Brown said recently. “At a time when 30% of all BWA Baptists face the reality of war, persecution, and extreme hunger, the need is as great as ever.” This is the backdrop for the plenary sessions focused on …
Advocate dispels myths about persecuted believers
Fruitfulness, faithfulness and vision characterize the persecuted church in many parts of the globe, an advocate for international religious freedom told a Houston-area Baptist church. Wissam al-Saliby, president of the 21Wilberforce human rights organization, spoke at The Woodlands First Baptist Church the Sunday before Independence Day. Al-saliby sought to dispel some misconceptions about persecuted believers globally. “More often than not, the persecuted …
Fighting the Rising Tide of Religious Intolerance in South Asia
“Christians are the new scapegoat in India’s political battles,” said Smita Narula, author of the report and researcher for the Asia division of Human Rights Watch. “Without immediate and decisive action by the government, communal tensions will continue to be exploited for political and economic ends.” While this quote is relevant today, sadly it was written in 1999…25 years ago! …
21Wilberforce to Participate in BWA Nigeria Commission on Religious Freedom Program
Baptist leaders from across the globe will soon gather on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria to worship, pray, learn, build relationships, and collaborate through shared ministry. Programming includes plenaries, Bible studies, regional ministry updates, and small group reflections developed by 14 BWA Commissions. 21Wilberforce President, Wissam al-Saliby and Executive Director, John Gongwer, will attend the gathering and participate in one of …
Trauma Care for Christians During the Manipur Crisis
By Achamba Lisham (name changed) In the summer of 2023, 21Wilberforce’s Ambassador for the Asia Pacific region updated the 21Wilberforce team about the growing crisis in the northern Indian State of Manipur and the resulting widespread devastation and trauma faced by the local Christian population. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported that the ongoing conflict between the …
21Wilberforce Welcomes New President
Wissam al-Saliby has been appointed President of the 21Wilberforce Global Freedom Center. Al-Saliby is an internationally recognized expert in international religious freedom and human rights who brings more than fifteen years of experience in advocating for religious freedom at the United Nations, training and capacity building for human rights in the Middle East and around the world, and strategic leadership …
Taking Action on the Thai-Burma Border
By Trent Martin, 21Wilberforce Advocacy & Training Coordinator 21Wilberforce partners with a seminary on the Thai-Burma (also known as Myanmar) border that is working to help address a crisis that displaced people fleeing a new military offensive by the Karen National Union. This recent occurrence forced the Myanmar military junta to surrender the strategic border town of Myawaddy last week. …