A New Call: U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom

And for years on this podcast, you've heard me talk about what it means to live a fearless faith, to stand on the truth of God's Word, even when it's uncomfortable, when our culture pushes against it, and when there may actually be a cost for doing so.

And for many people around the world, that cost means prison, displacement, a loss of livelihood, and even death.

And that is exactly what this role exists to confront.

I never imagined that God would lead me to an opportunity like this.

And you may have never heard of this role.

I know so many people, when they've talked about it, they said they didn't even know this role existed.

And you have questions of what this ambassador role means.

And the ambassador plays a key role in advancing and defending religious freedom around the world.

The ambassador is in a role to speak out against violations of religious freedom for all faiths and makes recommendations of how our government should respond to violations of religious freedom.

Around the world, countless people are threatened, imprisoned, tortured, displaced, and even killed because of what they believe.

And if confirmed in this role, I will stand with the persecuted, challenge violators, and recommend meaningful action to defend the vulnerable.

And there are millions of people around the world for whom that cost is far greater than anything most of us have ever experienced.

There are people of faith who face extreme persecution simply because of what they believe.

and their families who've lost their homes, jobs, communities, their loved ones, and sometimes even their own lives because they refuse to deny their faith.

And here in America, religious freedom is our bedrock, and it is so woven into our history that I think sometimes we can forget how extraordinary it really is.

The freedom to worship, the freedom to gather, the freedom to teach our children what we believe— And the freedom to live out our faith publicly, not simply practice it privately inside the four walls of our home.

Those freedoms are precious.

I've had the privilege of traveling around the world with Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

I've sat with people whose circumstances look very different from mine.

And many of these women and men who I've met over the years have been my driving force here on Fearless and for the subjects we discuss.

And protecting the freedom of people to live according to their sincerely held religious beliefs is something I care deeply about.

So I'm extremely honored for this opportunity, and I understand the weight this position brings.