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 facing religious persecution and injustice worldwide.
Hosted by Pastor William Welch, the gathering featured opening remarks by Pastor Adam, who outlined the evening's purpose. Organizers described the event as the beginning of a broader coalition of faith leaders committed to advancing freedom through peace, dialogue, and collaboration. The coalition aims to foster understanding across religious and denominational lines.
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 the imprisonment in South Korea of 95-year-old faith leader Chairman Lee, head pastor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, whom organizers say 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 evening's program featured three prayer requests led by different faith leaders. Bishop Kenneth Nelson of Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church led prayers for unity among faiths and freedom of religion. Pastor Kiesha Nelson prayed for strength and support for faith leaders facing hardship and persecution. 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 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. Organizers indicated the gathering marks the start of an ongoing coalition intended to continue advancing religious freedom through prayer, dialogue, and collaboration.
This interfaith initiative underscores a growing recognition among religious leaders of the need for united action against persecution. For business and technology leaders, religious freedom is increasingly seen as a factor in global stability and workforce well-being. The coalition's focus on cases like Chairman Lee's imprisonment, which raises concerns about legal fairness and human rights, could influence international business operations and investment decisions in affected regions. The event's use of both in-person and virtual participation highlights how technology enables broader collaboration among faith communities. As the coalition develops, its efforts may shape public discourse and policy on religious freedom, with implications for corporate social responsibility and diversity initiatives.
