Louisiana Baptists in D.C. lead religious liberty efforts

Representatives Ralph Abraham, M.D, and Mike Johnson are two co-sponsors of H.R. 6633, the Turkey International Financial Institutions Act, that directs U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to oppose loans to Turkey, pending the release of U.S. citizens and consular staff.

Abraham is a member of the First Baptist Church in Alto, and Johnson is a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City.

The bill is in response to Turkey’s wrongful imprisonment of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, who has served in Turkey for 23 years as a missionary. He has been held captive by the Turkish government for nearly two years where he has reportedly been subjected to deplorable conditions and denied legal counsel.

“Too many Christian missionaries face persecution world-wide for practicing their faith,” Abraham said in a press release. “It’s time for President Erdogan to release Pastor Brunson and any Americans he’s holding and allow them to come home, or his nation should face the consequences."

Saying these sanctions “will hit them where they hurt,” Abraham urged Erdogan to avoid the sanctions and simply do the right thing “and let these people come home.”

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