Faith leaders from multiple denominations and religious traditions gathered Monday evening for the 'Faith in Freedom' Interfaith Prayer Night at First Grace Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, to pray for individuals and communities facing religious persecution worldwide. The event, which drew participants in person and online, was organized as the beginning of a broader coalition committed to advancing freedom through peace, dialogue, and collaboration.
Hosted by Pastor William Welch, the event featured opening remarks by Pastor Adam, who highlighted three specific cases of religious persecution shaping the evening's prayers: ongoing violence and displacement affecting Christian and Muslim minorities in Nigeria; rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the United States, including vandalism of houses of worship; and the imprisonment of 95-year-old faith leader Chairman Lee, head pastor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, in South Korea. Organizers said Lee is wrongfully detained on an unproven accusation despite his age and health needs, in violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Mandela Rules.
The prayer program was structured around three requests: unity among faiths and religious freedom, led by Bishop Kenneth Nelson; strength for faith leaders facing hardship and persecution, led by Pastor Kiesha Nelson; and prayer for members within and beyond the faith, led by Dr. Sudershan Mathavan, Co-Founder of Gurudwara Treasure Coast. 'We pray that there be no discrimination among the nations, among the people, related to their faith — whether they are Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, or any other,' Dr. Mathavan said. 'Help us work together to get rid of this evil from our hearts and from our society.'
The gathering concluded with a shared Faith and Freedom Joint Declaration, in which leaders pledged to choose peace, respect human dignity, defend the freedom to worship without fear, and stand against hatred and division. Organizers indicated the event marks the start of an ongoing coalition of faith leaders intended to continue advancing religious freedom through prayer, dialogue, and collaboration.
