More Than 100 Evangelical and Catholic leaders from across the country are urging the U.S. Congress to oppose President Trump's proposal to make cuts in the International Affairs Budget.
They sent a letter to the congressional leadership today saying they want the budget protected because as followers of Christ, they have a moral responsibility to ensure that America continues to be the "shining city upon a hill" that every day "brings hope to poor, hungry, vulnerable and displaced men, women and children around the world."
The president's FY18 budget would cut 31% from the State Department and USAID budgets over the previous year.
Many Americans argue the cuts are long overdue because many of the countries that receive U.S. taxpayer dollars actually oppose our interests around the world—especially in votes at the United Nations.
Some also oppose funds going to countries that violate human rights like Pakistan, where Christians are persecuted with archaic blasphemy laws and other acts of oppression.
So, what is our responsibility as Christians? Foreign aid is actually only about 1% of the entire U.S. budget. Should we walk away from helping other nations? If so, will anyone likely step in to fill the void?
Watch my interview with The National Association of Evangelicals Galen Carey to hear his answers.
And read the letter to find out who signed it:
Here's the full text of the Faith leader's letter to the U.S. Congressional Leadership:
March 16, 2017
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Majority Leader The Capitol S-230 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House of Representatives The Capitol H-232
Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Leader The Capitol S-221 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi House Minority Leader
The Capitol H-204 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan, and Minority Leader Pelosi,
As Christian leaders, it's an honor to represent dedicated and faithful citizens living in every congressional district in this country. We're writing to share our support for the International Affairs Budget that every day brings hope to poor, hungry, vulnerable and displaced men, women and children around the world.
America is blessed with fertile land, abundant natural resources, a strong economy, and faithful citizens who value religious freedom. But beyond our borders, many countries experience unparalleled suffering and loss of life due to extreme poverty, disease, natural disasters, and conflict. Today, there are 65 million displaced people, the most since World War II, and 795 million people still go to bed hungry every night.
Matthew 25 tells us when we serve the least of these, we are serving the Lord. As people of faith, we cannot turn our back on those in desperate need. We are grateful for America's global development and diplomacy programs that have been instrumental in saving lives, safeguarding religious liberties, and keeping America safe and secure. Both Republican and Democratic administrations have strong legacies of supporting humanitarian and development programs that enable countless people to pull themselves out of poverty and live life with dignity. It is through
these diplomatic and development tools that we've seen countries and communities build peaceful, productive societies that do not turn to violence or terrorism.
At a time when we're especially security conscious, the International Affairs Budget is crucial to demonstrating our values to the world, building friendships with other nations, and lowering security risks around the world.
With just 1 percent of our nation's budget, the International Affairs Budget has helped alleviate the suffering of millions; drastically cutting the number of people living in extreme poverty in half, stopping the spread of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDs and Ebola, and nearly eliminating polio. Additionally, it promotes freedom and human rights, protecting religious freedom for millions around the world.
As followers of Christ, it is our moral responsibility to urge you to support and protect the International Affairs Budget, and avoid disproportionate cuts to these vital programs that ensure that our country continues to be the "shining city upon a hill."
Thank you for your consideration.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York
Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Leith Anderson, President
National Association of Evangelicals
Rich Stearns, President World Vision USA
Bishop Gregory J. Mansour, Chairman of the Board Catholic Relief Services
Michael W. Smith Singer/Songwriter
Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent Assemblies of God
Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Immediate Past President Southern Baptist Convention
Amy Grant Singer/Songwriter
Shirley V. Hoogstra, J.D., President
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Tom Lin, President & CEO InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Third Day
Christian Rock Band
Jonathan Reckford, CEO Habitat for Humanity
Mark Labberton, President Fuller Theological Seminary
Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita The Wesleyan Church
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone Archbishop of San Francisco
David Wilson, General Secretary Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Archbishop of Louisville
Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado, President & CEO Compassion International
John Crosby, Senior Pastor Christ Presbyterian Church
Rev. Johnnie Moore Author
Bob Bouwer, Reverend Faith Church (8 locations)
John K. Jenkins Sr., Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of Glenarden
Keith Stewart, Senior Pastor Springcreek Church
Alec Hill, President Emeritus InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Scott Arbeiter, President World Relief Corporation
Martha Newsome, President & CEO Medical Teams International
J. Ron Byler, Executive Director Mennonite Central Committee
Mike Mantel, President & CEO Living Water International
Carol Bremer-Bennett, Executive Director World Renew
Gary Edmonds, President & CEO Food for the Hungry
Anita Smith, President Children's AIDS Fund
Shepherd Smith, President Institute for Youth Development
Bruce Wilkinson, President & CEO Catholic Medical Mission Board
Steve Stirling, President & CEO MAP International
Peter Vander Meulen, Coordinator in Office of Social Justice Christian Reformed Church in North America
Joel K. Johnson, Pastor Westwood Community Church
James H. Barnes III, President Bethel University
Steve Moore, Board Chair World Relief
Deborah Smith Pegues, Board of Directors World Vision USA
Rev. Jonathan Odom, Pastor Asbury UMC
Dr. Mark Wilbanks, Senior Pastor Wieuca Road Baptist Church
Dr. Stephen Treash, Senior Pastor Black Rock Church
Laura Truax, Senior Pastor LaSalle Street Church
Jeffrey Moes, Senior Pastor Sunnybrook Community Church
Gino Grunberg, Co-Pastor Harbor Christian Center
Rev. Jay Madden, Pastor for Mission Peachtree Presbyterian Church
Chris Cramer, Pastor
Orchard Grove Community Church
Chad Hayward, Executive Director Accord Network
Galen Carey, Vice President of Government Relations National Association of Evangelicals
Scott Garber, Author
Ken Wytsma, Senior Pastor Antioch Church
William Minchin, Pastor of Business Administration Grace Fellowship Church
Rev. Eugene Cho, Lead Pastor & Founder Quest Church/One Day's Wages
Bishop Horace E. Smith, MD, Senior Pastor Apostolic Faith Church
Ted Esler, President Missio Nexus
Rev. Dr. Michael L. Henderson, Senior Pastor New Beginnings Church
Dr. G. Craig Williford, President Multnomah University
Carmen Fowler Laberge, President Presbyterian Lay Committee
Colin P. Watson, Sr., Director of Ministries and Administration Christian Reformed Church in North America
Dr. Don Argue, Ambassador at Large Convoy of Hope
Scott Ridout, President Converge
Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage, Associate Pastor Quest Church
Gregory Loewer, Pastor for Missions, Columbia Baptist Church
Jim Lyon, General Director Church of God Ministries
Constantine M. Triantafilou, Executive Director & CEO International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
Alan Robinson, National Director Brethren in Christ, U. S.
Mark S. Young, President Denver Seminary
M. Craig Barnes, President Princeton Theological Seminary
Adam Pray, Minister theChurch.at
Dennis Hollinger, Ph.D., President Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Alan Cureton, President University of Northwestern
Jon Middendorf, Pastor
OKC First Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Bobby Griffith, Jr., Pastor City Presbyterian Church
Rev. David Cassidy, Pastor Christ Community Church
Dr. Timothy J. Brooks, Lead Pastor South Portland Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Doug Serven, Pastor City Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dan Claire, Rector Church of the Resurrection
Rev. Joel St. Clair, Pastor Mosaic Community Church
Dr. O. Alan Noble, Assistant Professor of English Oklahoma Baptist University
Rev. Dr. Irwyn Ince Jr., Pastor City of Hope Presbyterian Church
Rev. Russ Whitfield, Pastor Grace Mosaic Church
The Right Rev. Dr. Steven A. Breedlove, Diocese Christ our Hope, Anglican Church in North America
Rev. Alan Cross, Executive Director Community Development Initiatives Montgomery Baptist Association
Rev. Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Pastor Myers Park United Methodist Church
Rev. Don Flowers, Jr., Senior Pastor Providence Baptist Church
The Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach, Archbishop Anglican Church in North America
Dr. Chris Ellis, Minister of Mission and Outreach Second Baptist Church
Dr. Stephen Cook, Senior Pastor Second Baptist Church
Dr. Christopher Pollock, Lead Pastor Midtown Church
Peter Greer, CEO HOPE International
David W. Kendall, Bishop Free Methodist Church, USA
David T. Roller, Bishop
Free Methodist Church, USA
Matthew A. Thomas, Bishop Free Methodist Church, USA
Justin B. Fung, Pastor of Teaching & Formation The District Church
Jason Surratt, Pastor of Stewardship and Global Missions Seacoast Church
Dr. Gregg Okkesson, Dean Asbury Theological Seminary
Stephanie Summers, CEO Center for Public Justice
Ruth Anne Reese, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament Asbury Theological Seminary
Brandon Heath Singer/Songwriter
Dr. Stephen Offutt, Assistant Professor of Development Studies Asbury Theological Seminary
Matt Maher Singer/Songwriter
Jonathan Martin Writer and Speaker
Aaron Graham, Lead Pastor The District Church
cc:
President Donald Trump Vice President Mike Pence
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson