Your Gifts in Action: 2024 Review

November 14, 2024

Thank you for joining 21Wilberforce as we work together for Christians and other religious minorities who are suffering for their beliefs. This has been a transition year for our team and we are grateful that you stood with the persecuted and 21Wilberforce with fervent prayers and financial support. We are committed to equipping the church to support persecuted communities, challenge repression, and expand freedom of religion and belief for everyone

21Wilberforce Welcomes New President

WEA Advocacy Officer Wissam al-Saliby during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. / Photo: WEA Geneva Office

In 2024, Wissam al-Saliby was appointed President of the 21Wilberforce Global Freedom Center. Al-Saliby is an internationally recognized expert in international religious freedom and human rights with 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 and organizational development.

Speaking about his appointment, Al-Saliby noted, “I am grateful for the ethos and vision of 21Wilberforce which was cultivated under the leadership of Randel Everett. As President of 21Wilberforce, I will be committed to serving and strengthening local church leaders around the globe facing discrimination, adversity, and persecution. I look forward to walking alongside them and exploring how we can partner in prayer, capacity building, resourcing, and giving them a seat at the table in international forums. 21Wilberforce is one of the best-positioned organizations to undertake such an endeavor and will be most effective as it brings the voices of local leaders to the forefront of advocacy and diplomacy for religious freedom and the rule of law.”

21Wilberforce also appointed two new members, J.T. Lent Jr. and Dr. Rev. Bruce Webb, to the organization’s Board of Directors. Having served on the 21Wilberforce Board for three terms, we wish to thank David Nelson of Dallas, Texas for his service and support of the organization.

Equipping Nigeria Christians to Fight Persecution

21Wilberforce is working with evangelical leaders to equip them to research and document violence against Christians in their country, and to engage with their government. In Lagos, in July, and in October in South Korea at the Lausanne Congress, 21Wilberforce leadership worked with Nigerian church leaders to discuss the next phase of cooperation, to understand how to equip them. In Nigeria, our President also helped lead a panel on religious freedom and (in)security in that country.

On Nov. 14, 2024, we’re holding a virtual consultation on documenting and reporting violence and how it ties to broader advocacy in Nigeria. Future activities will include coursework and equipping Nigerian Christian institutions with in-country research including with universities.

Supporting Christian Leaders in Northeast India

21Wilberforce concluded a counseling project to support pastors as they minister to those affected by the violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023, and which is ongoing. Building on this effort, we are working to support Baptist leaders to equip pastors and communities with peacemaking tools.

21Wilberforce is bringing together church leaders from the region for a collaborative workshop that will equip them with advocacy, peacebuilding, negotiation, and conflict resolution tools. The workshop will also provide a platform for the leaders to build initiatives that will empower Christians in NE India to take the lead in effective peace-making.

Partnering to Address Crisis of Displaced Christians in Myanmar

Discussions and ongoing advocacy work with leaders from Myanmar and the Burmese diaspora have revealed opportunities for “upstream solutions” to support the millions of Christians who continue to live with the many challenges resulting from the 2021 military coup. For example, 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. 21W President Wissam al-Saliby participated in a gathering in New York with Burmese advocates and UN experts.

Advocating for Pakistan Christians and Religious Minorities Stuck in Debt-Slavery

We are advocating with the U.S. Congress to raise awareness and spur action for Christians and other religious minorities trapped by debt slavery in the brick-making industry in Pakistan. The Pakistan brickmaking industry employs over 3 million people who produce 82 billion bricks per year with a large portion of this industry being built on the back of modern-day slaves.

The practice disproportionately affects religious minorities in the country. While religious minorities are estimated to be only 5% of Pakistan’s population, the percentage of religious minorities working in brick kilns is often as high as 50%. Many marginalized Hindus, Christians, and non-majority Muslim groups are trapped in this work and face pressure to forcibly convert.

Forging University Partnerships to Fight Persecution

21Wilberforce is developing the foundations for a partnership between Baptist universities in the United States with Baptist universities in countries facing persecution. Our objective is to disseminate knowledge on the theological and legal foundations for religious freedom as well as the protection of the right to life in contexts of violence. Such knowledge will be the foundation for future action against violence and persecution on the basis of religion.

21Wilberforce in the News

Since joining 21Wilberforce earlier this year, 21Wilberforce president, Wissam al-Saliby has frequently been quoted or highlighted in media outlets such as Christianity Today, Baptist Standard, Baptist News, Christian Daily International, and the World Evangelical Alliance.

Al-Saliby has launched a President’s Blog on the organization’s new website. Visit both at 21Wilberforce.org.