July 27, 2022

Dear John,

As I'm sure you know, at Family Research Council, we focus a great deal of our attention on the challenges our country faces, including radical abortion legislation, policies that harm families, and a lack of strong American leadership. These are matters of serious concern to us all.

At the same time, from my own perspective and life experience in the military, what goes on beyond our borders cannot be ignored or overlooked, either. Radicalized Islamist regimes like those in Iran and Afghanistan continue to promote and spread deadly ideologies, sometimes sending terrorists our way. Meanwhile, nations like China, guided by the Chinese Communist Party, threaten our national security and way of life through media, corporate and financial schemes, and more secretive means.

But those aren't the only things rogue regimes are doing. Even as they try to disseminate and export their dangerous beliefs and practices, they are also actively seeking to destroy Christians and Christian worship within their own borders. And that's why our awareness of international affairs--including abuses of religious freedom--is of great importance to us as peace-loving Americans and as members of the global Christian community.

That's why I, along with two of my colleagues, decided to write a book about international religious freedom, which we've titled Heroic Faith: Hope Amid Global Persecution. The more we researched and reviewed stories about Christians and their way of life, the more we became aware of just how much violence and abuse our sisters and brothers in Christ are enduring across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. I've visited a number of the countries we've written about, and I've spoken to some of their leadership. But it's the real-life stories of ordinary people in remote corners of the world and the tragic realities of their mistreatment that you'll learn about in the pages of Heroic Faith.

Here's what some of our first readers have said:

"Heroic Faith provides insights, information, and inspiration to urgently act and pray for our [persecuted] sisters and brothers around the world." - Frank Wolf, former U.S. Congressman 1981- 2014

"This important new book about the international persecution of Christians couldn't be better timed. Reliable reports say some 360 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discriminations. Yet, at the same time, accounts of their courage, sacrifices, and suffering are still not widely known, even among Christians. I think you'll be both inspired and prayerful as you encounter some of these faithful believers and their stories in the pages of Heroic Faith." - Nina Shea, Director, Hudson Institute Center for Religious Freedom

"I've spent much of my political career working toward the advancement of religious freedom for all people, everywhere. Sadly, religious freedom is under attack around the world. Heroic Faith details the harsh realities far too many Christians face merely for practicing their faith. I pray that learning about their plight through this book will open your heart and challenge you to act." - Samuel Brownback, former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom

We hope you'll purchase and read Heroic Faith, co-authored by Lela Gilbert, Arielle Del Turco, and me. In its pages, you'll meet some true heroes--courageous believers who continue to need our prayers. We trust you'll find inspiration and hope in its pages.