Faith Leaders' Newsletter
June 19, 2018
Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting the State Department's Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback.
Amb. Brownback and I are working with the Trump Administration to ensure all people around the world are protected and free to live out their beliefs, religious or not.You may know that Colorado Springs is home to morethan 70 faith-based organizations that have an international impact. It matters for our people here at home and it matters for those around the globe.
Amb. Brownback said, "I want to see the gates of religious freedom fly open around the world."
I agree, Ambassador.
We led a town hall discussion at Glen Eyrie for local religious and faith-based ministry leaders to answer their most-pressing questions and hear their stories.
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Rep. Lamborn and Amb. Brownback answered questions from the audience.
Amb. Brownback and I also brought together several faith and religious organization leaders for a meal to discuss international religious freedom issues for their ministries and the people they represent.
Dozens of these organizations call Colorado Springs home, but for many their work has an international impact.
Rep. Lamborn and Amb. Brownback shared the importance of international religious liberty
with area faith-leaders.
So many people around the world are prevented from openly practicing their beliefs and living out their consciences because of oppressive governments andtotalitarian regimes.
Amb. Brownback assured us his priority at the State Department is protecting religious liberty for every religion and creed- eventhose who do not have a religion.I am proud of the critical work being done around the world by faith-based organizations here in our own district.I am pleased to use my position in Congress to join Ambassador Brownback and the Trump Administration in advocating for religious freedom for all people.
From left to right: Bishop Sheridan of the Colorado Springs Diocese, Andrew Wommack of Charis Bible College,
David McConkie of the Latter Day Saints Church, Rep. Lamborn, Amb. Brownback,
and Mutua Mahaini of the Navigators participated in a press conference.
We invited several local leaders who represent the international community in Colorado Springs to lunch. Many shared the struggles the relatives and church members overseas in their home countries face. In places like Rwanda, religious persecution is rampant.
It has a rippling effect: refugees flee oppressive regimes and seek solace in the United States.
Several leaders that represent Colorado's international community voiced their concerns
about international religious liberty with Congressman Lamborn and Ambassador Brownback.
Visiting Lutheran Family Services
Ambassador Brownback and I visited Lutheran Family Services (LFS), a faith-based non-profit that provides human services like adoption and refugee services. The LFS Rocky Mountain Region has offices in Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Fort Morgan, Albuquerque, and Colorado Springs. While learning more about LFS, Ambassador Brownback and I met with several of the refugees whom LFS has assisted. Refugees from around the world who now live in Colorado Springs shared their stories of struggle and hope with us.We're working every day — boots on the ground — to protect international religious liberty for people like this, many of whom have relatives still suffering in their home country.
Rep. Lamborn met with a refugee family originally from the Middle East.
Ambassador Brownback and Congressman Lamborn met with families to hear
their stories of religious persecution.
Praying at Every Home for Christ
At the Jericho Center for Global Evangelism, Christians gather to pray for the spread of the gospel and for the persecuted church. It is the international headquarters for Every Home for Christ, a prayer ministry. Ambassador Brownback and I worshipped and prayed with the approximately 150 students who participate in their School of Prayer. Dick Eastman, founder of Every Home, gave us a tour of the facility and highlighted the immense number of hours that go into praying for believers around the world.It was a blessing to witness the dedication of these faithful Christians and the love they have for those around the world who currently do not enjoy international religious liberty.
The students and staff at Every Home for Christ prayed over Congressman Lamborn
and Ambassador Brownback.
I want to hear from you. Have you or someone you know experienced oppression from other countries in regards to religious liberty? Does your church partner with a ministry that helps refugees? My office can oftentimes help alieve suffering by expediting visa applications or connecting people with resources. Please connect with Jamie or Jeff so that I can help you.
Sincerely,
.JPG)
