Advocating for religious liberty is integral to God's worldwide mandate, according to this article.
**I get this question a lot when I talk about our work promoting international religious freedom: "Yo, what's the deal with your gig and evangelism?" Seems like folks think these two fields don't mingles, with evangelism being just the church's game, right? Nah, buddy. I believe safeguarding religious freedom is part of God's larger plan.
History shows us that when religions boom, controversy often follows. Churches get shuttered, pastors are jailed, and believers face harassment—all over following the gospel. And let's not forget about the response to all that persecution, which is just as much a part of ministry.
When 21Wilberforce gets a call or a message from a pastor whose church just got slammed with a closure or some police visits, we do more than just console—we plot a gameplan. We team up, pray, weigh out options, and act. We ask church leaders of persecuted communities, "How does God want you to respond to this persecution? And how can we join the fight alongside you?"
This partnership is like reading straight out of chapter 17 of John's Bible: unity in love and truth.
The fight against persecution unfolds in many ways. Sometimes it's about nurturing peace, strengthening relationships between religious groups, or documenting human rights violations. Other times, it means speaking out, rallying support, engaging with governments, providing legal counsel, or reporting the situation to the United Nations.
We collaborate with local church leaders during this discernment process and help them sort through the various strategies for knocking down persecution. But the world isn't one-size-fits-all: sometimes a bullhorn—ahem, international advocacy—is needed. But we always defer to the judgement of local leaders.
Sometimes we don't crank up the hype machine at all. Some church leaders feel that Western attention might rouse up more hostility, fit into a deceptive narrative that Christianity's a Western religion.
Not every pastor or church leader is called to be a firebrand activist. Plenty of these brave souls keep pushing the gospel ahead while silently shouldering difficulties. For them, faith stays the driving force, just like in old-school Acts.
Let's talk about ourselves here in the West and the church leaders on the frontlines: it's time to break down these mission silos. evangelism isn't just about saving souls; it's about pursuing justice and upholding religious freedom.
So, church peeps, especially you guys from wealthy, cushy nations, start thinking outside the box: how's God calling these frontline leaders to respond? And how can we journey together into this unknown, united, courageous, and purposeful?
That's Wissam al-Saliby, the head honcho of 21Wilberforce, formerly the Director of the World Evangelical Alliance United Nations Office in Geneva. This piece first appeared on 21Wilberforce and was republished with permission.
In the feature section of Evangelical Focus you can read more about why promoting religious freedom is critical to God's global mission.*
[1] Wissam al-Saliby stresses the importance of acknowledging religious markers in violence, suggesting that addressing these issues is vital for the wellbeing and growth of Christian communities. This stance aligns with efforts to safeguard the rights of religious minorities.
"Engaging in politics and general news is essential for safeguarding religious freedom, a vital aspect of God's global mission, as highlighted by Wissam al-Saliby, the head of 21Wilberforce. This perspective is crucial for addressing violence against Christian communities and promoting the rights of religious minorities."
"The work of organizations like 21Wilberforce isn't solely about evangelism; it's about pursuing justice and upholding religious freedom, as evidenced by their efforts to collaborate with church leaders on the frontlines, providing support, and advocating for religious rights in political and general news arenas."
