[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A roadmap of how ICC’s advocacy team will continue fighting persecution in the new year.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”By Matias Perttula” font_container=”tag:h6|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1613058649066{margin-bottom: 22px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”99739″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]02/24/2021 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) –Make no mistake, persecution of the Church is on the rise. Secular and faith-based institutions (including ICC) agree that people of faith, and faith as a whole, is a target for increasing violence, discrimination, and intolerance. As Christians, we must do our part to execute the Great Commission and stand up for our brothers and sisters around the world.
ICC is rising to meet this challenge, as it has since its inception in 1995. But as the scope of persecution becomes broader, new strategies must be leveraged to push back on the countries, individuals, and entities that persecute Christians. As such, we are always adapting our maneuvers in the fight against persecution.
Sometimes, the fight comes to our own neighborhood: Washington, D.C. Our advocacy team plays a key role in this fight. In 2021, it will continue to engage the national leaders of the United States in the executive and congressional branches of our government on key issues facing the Church in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
We plan to empower the US government to make sound decisions that will ensure that religious freedom can thrive around the world. One way that ICC’s advocacy team intends to accomplish this is by making informed, well-researched recommendations to the US government. We will be pursuing aggressive efforts in pushing the US government to use its economic tools to sanction perpetrators of persecution.
We will also be growing our network of contacts overseas to build strong relationships with advocacy champions. Through this network, ICC will have a deeper in-country perspective on effective advocacy for our brothers and sisters. Our team will rise to the challenge domestically in each persecuting country, empowering local champions who are passionately committed to our mission. ICC is already a leading voice for the persecuted Church in Washington, D.C., and we intend to further establish that role among our partners and allies by increasing our advocacy expertise. Religious freedom is under threat all around the world and our leaders are trying to understand why and how this is happening. ICC’s advocacy team will inform our leaders on the intricacies of how governments that persecute Christianity and the freedom of religion get away with it and how the United States should respond.
ICC is already a leading voice for the persecuted Church in Washington, D.C., and we intend to further establish that role among our partners and allies by increasing our advocacy expertise. Religious freedom is under threat all around the world and our leaders are trying to understand why and how this is happening. ICC’s advocacy team will inform our leaders on the intricacies of how governments that persecute Christianity and the freedom of religion get away with it and how the United States should respond.
Alone, ICC cannot fulfill its calling. We work hand in hand with our passionate volunteers and friends to motivate our legislators, leaders, and partners to take concrete action for the cause of freedom around the world. It is because of ICC’s committed supporters and volunteers that Christians around the world know that their brothers and sisters in the West are raising their voices on their behalf. The global Church must rise to the occasion and become the voice for the voiceless in this fight for the persecuted Church. ICC will call on its friends and supporters to join the chorus of voices for freedom.
Together, we can become the force for change in the Kingdom of God. We can impact the lives of our brothers and sisters and serve as committed advocates for the suffering Church.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1613058720746{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
For interviews please contact Alison Garcia: press@persecution.org
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