“Can you explain how your work contributes to evangelism?” This is a question I often hear when I share about our work supporting international religious freedom. It reveals an assumption—that advocacy and evangelism are separate disciplines, and that the latter is the calling of the church. This is far from accurate. I believe defending religious freedom is part of the mission of God. Throughout Scripture and church history, the growth of the church has often been accompanied by persecution. When ministries bear fruit, they frequently attract opposition. Churches are shuttered, pastors arrested, and believers harassed—all for faithfully living out the gospel. Read more here.
Baptist World Alliance Unveils Global Acts 2 Movement Ahead of 2033
Elijah Brown, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), issued a powerful call for global revival during the opening session of the Baptist World Congress in Brisbane, Australia. Addressing Baptists from 135 nations, Brown urged believers to pray for “global revival in every language, neighborhood, and nation” in anticipation of the year 2033—the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and the birth of the church at Pentecost. He challenged the global Baptist community to pursue a Spirit-led, collaborative mission modeled after the early church, declaring that “the church at her birth was the church at her best.”
To prepare for this historic milestone, Brown introduced a five-fold “Acts 2 Movement” vision for Baptists worldwide. Read more here.
Worship in the Crossfire: The Hidden Cost of Russia’s War
The war in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. This marked a dramatic escalation of the conflict that had simmered since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and began supporting separatist forces in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. With the invasion in early 2022, major cities—including Kyiv and Kharkiv—came under attack. Millions of Ukrainians fled their homes, triggering Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. Ukraine has a long Christian heritage. Before the fall of the Soviet Union, it was known as the “Bible Belt” of the USSR. Eastern Orthodoxy is dominant, alongside significant Baptist, Pentecostal, and Catholic communities. The invasion has had a profound impact on Christians—spiritually, socially, and physically. Read more here.
Bridging our divides to confront persecution together
I recently flipped through the pages of Voice of the Martyrs’ valuable 365 daily devotionals on the church and persecution, and I came across the entry about Lebanon. A Lebanese woman shared her experiences of attacks on Christians during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). I grew up in Lebanon during the last eight years of this devastating conflict. Although I was too young to fully remember, I was injured when one of the Muslim armed groups launched a rocket at our school playground while we were playing. Tragically, one girl was killed by shrapnel. Read more here.
Wissam al-Saliby on The Great Message Radio Program
Pastor Brad Lacey hosts The Great Message radio program, which airs on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia—one of only five 50,000-watt clear channel stations in the country. The broadcast reaches listeners across 38 states and into Canada. Recently, Pastor Lacey sat down with Wissam al-Saliby, President of 21Wilberforce, for a compelling conversation about global religious freedom. Listen to the broadcast here.
200 displaced Nigerian Christians slaughtered
The 500 Christians already had fled terrorism at home and found temporary shelter in storefronts transformed into living quarters in downtown Yelewata. But as they slept overnight June 13, men identified as militant Fulani attacked from multiple sides. Shouting “Allahu Akhbar (God is great),” militants commenced an ungodly attack, using fuel to burn the small living quarters, shooting people and attacking with machetes any who tried to escape, multiple international religious liberty advocacy groups reported. Within two hours, 200 were dead in what Aid to the Church in Need labeled the “worst killing spree” in the region to date. Read more here.
I Want My Life to Be a Bridge—Here’s Why
My faith has influenced my interest in defending universal human rights
I cannot follow Christ and forsake the Imago Dei. Every person is “to die for”—Christ already has, with no distinction. So, I will never look into the eyes of someone God does not love. If love is central to the human identity, then it must manifest as selflessness and mercy in action. Verses like Micah 6:8, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 14:14, and John 15:5 shape how I want to live. Christ secured our ultimate freedom, and I want to extend earthly freedom to others. Read more here.
Quick Takes
21Wilberforce President, Wissam al-Saliby, and Advocacy & Training Coordinator, Trent Martin, attended the Baptist World Alliance World Congress in Brisbane, Australia where they also participated as workshop speakers.
Trent Martin, 21W Advocacy & Training Coordinator, recently participated as a speaker at an Asia Symposium on Freedom of Religion and Belief
Lou Sabatier, 21W Director of Communications, presented a virtual workshop on Storytelling and Advocacy for the Theo-Sight Institute in Africa.
Save the Date: October 20, 2025 for the 21Wilberforce presentation of the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Award at dinner held at Dallas Baptist University. The Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Award recognizes outstanding champions who stand up to oppression in the pursuit of freedom of religion or belief. It identifies and honors those who embody the spirit of Congressman Frank Wolf who has worked tirelessly for decades to promote international religious freedom and who later served as Distinguished Senior Fellow at 21Wilberforce. More info soon on how to register.
21Wilberforce is coming alongside churches and Christians around the world in countries experiencing religious persecution. We are investing in Christian leaders and churches, the frontline workers, to build up indigenous sustainable religious freedom advocacy. We invite you to be part of this journey of fellowship and unity with the persecuted and suffering.
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.