“Let us affirm our solidarity with all those suffering persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ,” Franklin Graham said during the opening night of the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians in Washington, D.C. The event was held to advocate for Christians who are being persecuted globally.
Rashin Soodmand's father was hanged for his faith when she was just a child. Today, the Iranian native stands strong, especially for her homeland, in the face of ongoing persecution.
Michael W. Smith led attendees in a time of powerful worship.
U.S. Senate Chaplain and Retired Rear Admiral Barry Black opened the World Summit with a word of prayer.
Translators work behind the scenes to convey the World Summit in different languages for the participants. During the event, simultaneous interpretations are being made available in Arabic, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Ravi Zacharias, considered one of the great Christian apologetics teachers of our time, spoke during the World Summit. Afterward, he shared on social media, "It is imperative that we understand the plight of persecuted Christians and stand with those who are suffering around the globe."
Praising God with the Tommy Coomes Band.
Dr. Jack Graham, of PowerPoint Ministries in Texas, delivered a keynote address about "Strength Through Persecution" during the World Summit. Afterward, he tweeted it was, "An incredible experience. Felt like a lion in a den of Daniels!"
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk of the Russian Orthodox Church encouraged participants at the World Summit with the Word of God, drawing from Romans 8:39.
"There is hardship and persecution, but there is hope," shared The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis, Archbishop of Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt.
The FEBC-Korea Children's Choir performed during the World Summit.
Father Douglas Al Bazi has experienced persecution firsthand in his home country of Iraq, and he shared the testimony of his people.
“This is the season of the resurrection,” said His Beatitude Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada Archbishop of Washington, Orthodox Church in America.
"It is believed that more people died for their faith in the 20th century than all other centuries combined," shared Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of the Washington Archdiocese. "Why does nobody care enough to say enough?"
Rev. Sami Dagher of Lebanon delivered an impassioned message as he talked about "The Call of the Christian." He said, "I want you to know. I want us to know. We serve a great God."
