The World’s Oldest Christian Nation Is Under Attack. Why Aren’t More Christian Organizations Speaking Out?
Save Armenia exists to mobilize American political and religious leaders to support Armenia and ensure its continued survival. They envision a world where Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian nation, is secure and free from external religious and ethnic persecution.
Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 A.D. As the oldest Christian nation in the world, Armenia holds immense historical and spiritual significance for the global Church. Preserving this sacred history and this nation should be a top priority for all American Christians.
Tragically, in early 2023, the Muslim-majority country of Azerbaijan imposed a catastrophic blockade on Armenian Christians in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). The 2023 blockade culminated with a lightning offensive and the ethnic cleansing of 120,000 Armenian Christians.
So far, the international community’s response, including America’s, has been weak and underwhelming.
Last June, Save Armenia hosted its inaugural delegation to Armenia, featuring former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback and other notable leaders from Washington, DC, and across the United States.
This week, Save Armenia is taking its second delegation to the country. The delegation will meet with political and civil society leaders and victims of Azeri aggression. The Center for Baptist Leadership’s Founder and Executive Director, William Wolfe, will join them.
Dr. Alveda C. King, Chair of the Center for the American Dream at the America First Policy Institute, leads this delegation. She is also the founder of Speak for Life, which fights for the sanctity and dignity of all life. She is a former presidential appointee and a 2021 recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her by former President Donald Trump.
Other notable delegation members include:
- USCIRF Commissioner Vicky Hartzler: Commissioner Hartzler previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2023. During her service in Congress, she was a strong advocate for Christian values and the release of religious prisoners of conscience in China. Before her public service, she volunteered with the Voice of the Martyrs. She was appointed to serve as a Commissioner at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2023.
- Dr. Jim Garlow: Dr. Garlow is the founder and CEO of Well Versed, a ministry to Members of Congress, Ambassadors at the United Nations in New York City, and other elected officials that brings Biblical principles of government to political leaders. He also served on President Trump’s Faith Advisory team.
On behalf of the Center for Baptist Leadership, William Wolfe had this to say about joining the delegation:
“I’m deeply honored to be asked to join this delegation for such an urgent and important mission. This is a unique opportunity to visit Armenia and witness firsthand the challenges faced by this ancient Christian nation.
The history of Christian persecution in Armenia reflects the enduring faith of a people who have endured great adversity with an unwavering devotion to Christ. Unfortunately, too many political leaders—and even Christian leaders and organizations—in the West have turned a blind eye to the persecution and genocide of Armenian Christians. I’m thankful that Save Armenia has risen up to stand in the gap on their behalf.
As America’s largest Protestant denomination, Southern Baptists should be at the forefront of the fight to raise awareness of the plight of Armenian Christians and advocate for their peace and security. I’m joining this delegation because I want Southern Baptists to know that they can make a difference in helping the oldest Christian nation in the world both survive and, Lord willing, thrive once more.
Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us to ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ It is our Christian moral duty to advocate for the rights of persecuted believers in Armenia. And Christians should be unapologetic in their support for Armenia Christians as Christians, boldly pointing out that what is happening is not just a violation of a general, secular notion of “religious freedom” (though it is) but rather a specific attack on Christians by Islamists in the region because they are Christians.
Please join me in prayer for Armenia and its people during this critical time. Additionally, I encourage you to contact your congressional representatives and urge them to support measures that aid Armenia and protect its Christian heritage.
Together, with God’s grace, our advocacy and prayers can help SAVE ARMENIA.”
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