Message from Bob

It is a busy time for the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative!

Since my last letter, we released the International Religious Freedom Congressional Scorecard for the 114th session of Congress.  The Scorecard is a powerful tool you can use as a springboard to raise awareness within your congregations about religious freedom activity in Washington. You can read more about this Scorecard in the Resource Highlight and Take Action sections of this newsletter. 

A key achievement in the 114th session of Congress was the passage, with overwhelming bipartisan support, of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, which expands U.S. ability to advance religious freedom worldwide through enhanced diplomacy, training, counter terrorism efforts, and stronger political responses to religious freedom violations and violent extremism. President Obama signed this into law December 16, 2016.  

Also of note was the declaration by the U.S. House of Representatives that atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic State against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide; and that the member states of the United Nations should coordinate urgently to further prevent and punish those responsible for these ongoing crimes.  21CWI advocated heavily for both of these achievements, and we look forward to doing more during Congress’ 115th session.

We are gearing up for our third Emerging Leaders Conference from May 22-27.  This program trains and connects young leaders who are passionate about promoting and protecting international religious freedom. Applications will be accepted through March 31 and can be completed by going here.  If you know of someone who might be interested, more information can be found at www.21wilberforce.org.

We also continue seeking new channels for collaboration with Dallas Baptist University.  New leadership training opportunities are on the horizon, and I look forward to sharing more information as it unfolds.  Two of my sons graduated from DBU and now serve as ministers in growing churches, so it is near to my heart. Please read more about DBU and its president, Dr. Adam Wright, in the Alliance Spotlight section below.   

I appreciate you, your support, your ministry and your friendship.  May God continue to bless you as you continue to serve Him.

JOY!
Bob
Psalm 84:11

 

Alliance Spotlight

It’s clear after speaking with Dr. Adam Wright that he is passionate about international religious freedom.  Dr. Wright, President of Dallas Baptist University (DBU), has known 21CWI President and Founder Randel Everett for many years.  From that friendship, it was not hard for them to find ways for the university and 21CWI to collaborate.

“In my early days attending DBU, I recognized the importance of religious freedom and liberty for all,” Dr. Wright said.  “I’ve been a huge advocate for others to have a sense of awareness and to engage alongside people who are advocating.”  

Over the past two years, DBU has been involved in various projects and initiatives with 21CWI, most recently by hosting the Speak Freedom Dallas event on-site in November.  DBU has a Wilberforce Alliance Student Chapter on campus which used the 21CWI plans to erect a model of a Nigerian Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) shelter in a prominent spot on campus during the week leading up to the event.  “Anyone could enter and literally be in a replication of what IDPs and refugees are living in within third world countries,” he said.

Dr. Wright also teaches a course in Washington, D.C. each spring, and for the past two years, has taken students to 21CWI headquarters and the Capitol to learn first-hand about government advocacy and policy reform for religious freedom.  

In order to further advance the 21CWI cause in Dallas, DBU has also provided office space on campus for some of the Wilberforce staff who reside here (including Yours Truly).  Finally, looking ahead, the university and 21CWI are in a partnership for transformational leadership as they seek to train international and domestic religious and government leaders to be advocates for religious liberty.  

“The greatest part of this partnership has been to be a part of the positive change we hope to see in the world,” Dr. Wright said.  “There is a loving, caring, and genuinely concerned authentic community here at DBU that believes in the 21^st Century Wilberforce Initiative, and there’s a continued sensitivity to the Lord and his work.”

Resource Highlight

Digging Deeper: 21CWI’s Congressional International Religious Freedom Scorecard

The Scorecard, released February 21, illuminates the voting records of members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for bills, resolutions, and amendments that support international religious freedom.  The purposes of the scorecard are to help increase congressional and public awareness of international religious freedom issues, to encourage legislators to take bold action in support of this cause, and to laud the work of congressional religious freedom champions to the public.

In order to understand how U.S. legislators prioritize this vital issue, 21CWI tracks the votes of members of Congress on key issues of international religious freedom.  This makes it easier to know how each representative is voting.  The Scorecard tallies international religious freedom related sponsorship of bills, votes in the House and Senate and in IRF-related caucus membership.  Scored items are selected on the basis of their significance to international religious freedom.  The IRF Congressional Scorecard reports on the 114^th session of Congress (2015-2016). 

Here are some key takeaways from the newly released Congressional International Religious Freedom Scorecard:

• The results from scoring this session are bipartisan.  This holds true for the Senate and the House of Representatives for the 114^th session of Congress.
• Thirty-nine legislators who scored an A+ or A are recognized as “Notable Leaders.”
• The top score earned in the Senate was Senator Marco Rubio, and the top score earned in the House was Congressman Chris Smith.
• One-third of all legislators earned a score of B or higher.

To view your copy of this report, please go to our website (www.21wilberforce.org) or to the Scorecard link at www.irfscorecard.org.  You can look up your legislators by state and see how your senators and representative performed.  

Here’s what you can do with the information in the IRF Scorecard: 

1. Share this comprehensive report with your group.  Also, please share the link to the Scorecard so others can download their own copies.
2. Lead your group to pray for these leaders in the months ahead, that they would be proactive in advocating for religious freedom.
3. Encourage the members of your group to email their U.S. representative and senators.  Every legislator has contact information on his or her website.
   • Thank them for their work on behalf of you and our country.
   • Thank them for their positive votes and work on behalf of international religious freedom.
   • Encourage them to do more.  Remember, our congressional leaders have specific causes they support and rally behind.  Encourage them to make international religious freedom a priority.

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