Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Hug anxiety (Cartoon: Fletch) Ice cream chatter (Cartoon: Preacher’s Kids) My prayer (Cartoon: Joe McKeever)
  • John 3:16
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Archive
  • Cartoons
    • Joe McKeever
    • Beyond the Ark
    • Church of the Covered Dish
    • Fletch
    • Preacher’s Kids
  • Contact
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. & Intl
  • Facts & Finds
  • Culture & Society
  • Editorial

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

U.S. int’l religious freedom interest downgraded to special ‘advisor’ from ‘envoy’

October 16, 2015

By Kelly Ledbetter, Christian Examiner

WASHINGTON (Christian Examiner) – International religious freedom now has its own “special advisor” — which reports to an ambassador, rather than a “special envoy” which reports to the Secretary of State, the White House has announced. And Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) is challenging how that approach to key U.S. foreign policy objectives works — especially since the “special envoy” position has been vacant for a while.

“The Administration has taken the position that ‘promoting and protecting religious freedom is a key objective of U.S. foreign policy,'” the senator wrote in an open letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, “yet the Ambassador-at-Large for religious freedom is buried in layers of bureaucracy rather than reporting directly to you like the Ambassadors-at-Large for the Office of Global Women’s Issues and the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator.”

A special envoy reports directly to Secretary Kerry, while a special advisor may report to an envoy or ambassador.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Comments

Editorial

Finding hope amid the pain

After a painful experience, hope often feels fragile. I have learned to allow joy to begin in small moments. It might be a bird singing outside a window, a kind word from a stranger or a sunset painted across the sky. I’ve had to give myself permission to smile when laughter comes, even if it feels unfamiliar. … Read More

Search

  • Trending
  • Recent
  • Must Read

Recent

Still available: one pastor’s ongoing ‘yes’ to God

LCU biology professor publishes studies beneficial to local population

LCU adds siren warning system to safety measures on campus

Must Read

Louisiana pastor is latest target of nationwide ‘pronoun’ attacks against religious freedom

President Trump: ‘We love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them.’

Foundation Executive Director
Jeffrey Steed to retire

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme 2.1 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in