Faith leaders representing multiple denominations and religious traditions gathered Monday evening for the "Faith in Freedom" Interfaith Prayer Night, hosted by First Grace Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The event brought together congregation members and leaders from various religions — both in person and online — to pray for individuals and communities worldwide facing religious persecution and injustice.
The gathering was hosted by Pastor William Welch, with opening remarks by Pastor Adam, who welcomed attendees and outlined the evening's purpose. Many participating leaders are working across religious and denominational lines to foster dialogue and understanding. Organizers described the evening as the beginning of a broader coalition committed to advancing freedom through peace, dialogue, and collaboration.
During his remarks, Pastor Adam highlighted three current cases of religious persecution that shaped the evening's prayers: ongoing violence and displacement affecting Christian and Muslim minority communities in parts of Nigeria; rising incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia within the United States, including vandalism of houses of worship and harassment of individuals because of their faith; and the imprisonment in South Korea of 95-year-old faith leader Chairman Lee, head pastor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who organizers say is wrongfully detained on an unproven accusation despite his age and health needs, in alleged violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Mandela Rules.
The evening was structured around three prayer requests, each led by a different faith leader. Bishop Kenneth Nelson of Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church led prayers for unity among faiths and freedom of religion. Pastor Kiesha Nelson of Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church led prayers for strength and support for faith leaders facing hardship, persecution, and judgment. Dr. Sudershan Mathavan, Co-Founder and Prayer Leader of Gurudwara Treasure Coast, led prayers for members within the faith and beyond, and for forgiveness.
"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 closed with a shared Faith and Freedom Joint Declaration and a spoken pledge, in which leaders committed together to choose peace, respect every person's dignity, defend the freedom of others to live and worship without fear, and stand against hatred and division.
This event marks the start of an ongoing coalition of faith leaders intended to continue advancing religious freedom through prayer, dialogue, and collaboration. The implications of this gathering are significant: by uniting across religious lines, these leaders signal a collective effort to address rising religious persecution globally and domestically, potentially influencing policy discussions and community responses. The focus on specific cases, such as the detention of Chairman Lee in South Korea, highlights international concerns about religious freedom and adherence to UN standards. For readers, this underscores the importance of interfaith solidarity in combating discrimination and supporting persecuted communities.
