Christian people are so busy doing whatever their immediate circumstances demand that they rarely take time to learn about the horrific tragedies that are happening to their fellow believers in many countries of the world. If most of us even take the time to pray about it, we hardly would think that there’s anything much we can do about it, besides giving money to help missionaries who are called to ‘disciple the nations.’  But if you stay with me today, you’re going to hear what could be one of the most world-changing possibilities that’s more realistic than we would ever have believed just a few months ago.

The whole world witnessed in the four years from 2020 to 2024, what some would say was the most tyrannical suppression of freedom in human history.  Would you say that Almighty God has been using the horrible outcomes of recent times to awaken His people to prayer and action that is resulting in some pretty amazing changes in the affairs of whole nations?

I got an email from Neil Mammen, President of Values Advocacy Council, that presents one of the most assertive and timely plans for Christian people to pray about and act on that I could imagine for such a time as this.  Because I thought this is so worthy of your time today, I’m going to share Neil’s message with you.

It begins with a stunning question: “What If Trump Did What No Other President Dared and Protected Persecuted Christians around the World?” [From email to subscribers on 5/27/2025]

Use this link to share this by text: https://open.substack.com/pub/mammen/p/what-if-trump-did-what-no-other-president

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As you hear this, I believe God’s Spirit is reminding us of a divine principle that’s found in Proverbs 21:1. 

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Proverbs 21:1

Egypt

Neil’s story begins with his recollection of a college event a few years ago in San Jose, California. An Egyptian Muslim student nervously approached him after one of his public talks. The student’s voice was quiet, his eyes scanning the room.

“I’ve become a Christian,” he whispered. “But I’m afraid.”

I’ll continue with Neil’s letter in his own words now:

“The student was scheduled to return to Egypt soon. He feared his uncles would find out and kill him in an honor attack. He asked if I could connect him with Christians back home—somewhere to hide, someone to protect him. He wasn’t asking for a church service or a theological debate. He was asking if I knew a safe house.

I reached out to a few Egyptian pastors I knew. They were kind, they were faithful—but they were terrified. They told me plainly: “If our churches in Egypt take him in and someone finds out, his relatives will burn those churches down. Maybe kill our people. There will be no protection, and after it’s done, there will be no justice. We’ve seen it before. It’s just very, very difficult. Worse, we’ve had people pretend to be converts to identify those churches and have the pastor killed.”

And that was it.

I had no power to help him. No diplomatic leverage. No government behind me to say, “If you kill this young man, you will answer to the world’s leading superpower.”

I never heard what happened to him. He told me he was in Egypt then I never heard from him again.

Nigeria

When I visited Nigeria to speak for EBLM a few years ago, a local pastor shared something that still haunts me.

His brother had been kidnapped by Muslim extremists. But what shocked me was this: before he even got a call from the kidnappers, the local Police Chief called him on a cell phone. The chief told him that his brother had been kidnapped and even told him the ransom amount.

Moments later, the kidnappers themselves called with the location for the drop-off.

Who called the police?

How did the chief know the amount?

The implication was chilling.

The pastor was forced to walk into the forest alone, carrying an enormous ransom payment—completely unprotected. No escort. No security. No investigation. Just silence. No follow up once the brother was safe.

Neil continues…

Christian Blood Is Spilling—and No President Has Truly Cared

Let’s be blunt. Christians are being beaten, imprisoned, and murdered across the globe. They are the most persecuted religion in the world.

•  In India, Hindu mobs burn down churches and crush pastors under police silence.
• In Nigeria, Fulani Islamists hack Christians to death with machetes—night after night—while the government shrugs. Christians are kidnapped and ransomed with full knowledge of the police who probably collect a commission.
•  In Pakistan, Christian girls are kidnapped, raped, and “converted” by force, and the courts protect the rapists.
• In China, crosses are torn down, pastors vanish, and the state rewrites the Bible.

Right now, over 380 million Christians—one in every seven believers on earth—are living under violent persecution and relentless discrimination.

In just the year 2023, 4,998 Christians were murdered simply for following Jesus—many butchered in villages across Nigeria. That same year, 14,766 churches and Christian schools were attacked, burned, or destroyed. (Source: persecution.org)

This isn’t ancient history. It’s happening now. Every. Single. Day.

And if we do nothing it will only grow like it has been.

No Other President Has Defended Christians Globally

·        Barack Obama: Downplayed Christian genocide in the Middle East. His administration refused to call ISIS’s targeting of Christians “genocide” for months, even after public pressure.

·        Joe Biden: Prioritized LGBTQ rights and climate change in foreign aid—not Christian persecution. India and Nigeria saw increased violence during his administration, with no meaningful consequences imposed.

·        George W. Bush: Launched faith-based initiatives at home but didn’t pressure nations like Pakistan or Egypt to stop persecuting Christians. His foreign policy was focused on counterterrorism, not religious liberty.

·        Bill Clinton: Signed the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998 but rarely enforced it. It Gave China permanent trade relations, despite horrific Christian and Falun Gong persecution.

The so-called “Christian” presidents of the past gave speeches. They made declarations. They expressed concern. But every two hours, a Christian was being killed somewhere in the world simply for following Jesus—and these presidents did nothing.

And none—none—used the full weight of American power to say:

“If you want American money, American weapons, or access to American markets—you will protect Christians. Or you get nothing.”

Neil then dares to ask…

What If Trump Did It?

What if Donald J. Trump, the president so many elite evangelicals love to mock, became the first to tie real consequences to Christian persecution?

What if Trump stood in front of the UN and said:

“India, if you let mobs burn a single church or beat a single convert while the police stand by, you don’t get access to our tech markets. And no more H1 Visas.”

“Nigeria, if your army refuses to protect Christian villages from Fulani raiders, and if a single Christian gets kidnapped or one Christian is slaughtered, we cut your military aid. Immediately.”

“Pakistan, if your courts and police continue to allow even a single Christian girl to be kidnapped and raped with impunity, we cut off all military aid, and block your next bailout, and say goodbye to any visa to the US. And if you imprison one more believer over your blasphemy laws, we will freeze every dollar of cooperation.”

“China, if one more pastor disappears, if one more cross is torn down, or if you dare forbid access to any Christian of the original unedited Bible, we sanction your tech companies, block your exports, and every Chinese Communist Party official is banned from setting foot in the United States.”

“And finally, if any regime including the above dares kill or allow a single Christian to be killed for converting, your trade deals are dead on arrival.”

Now, catch your breath after hearing such bold questions. Neil plainly asks:

What would that do?

It would make those governments responsible for protecting Christians.

It would be something no American president in history has done. Not Reagan. Not Bush. Not Obama. Certainly not Biden.

The Critics Talk. Trump Acts.

Let’s be honest. The “Never Trump” crowd in Christian circles talks a lot about tone, civility, and witness.

But when it comes to standing up for actual Christians facing real persecution, their hands are empty. Their pulpits are safe. They have courage when it comes to bold statements in safe places—but not when it comes to saving actual lives.

Imagine the contrast.

While woke bishops in the West debate pronouns, Trump is the one holding Hindu nationalists and Islamic tyrants accountable for burning churches.

While progressive evangelicals scold Americans for “Christian privilege,” Trump is rescuing girls in Pakistan and stopping machetes in Nigeria.

It’s Not Just Policy—It’s Legacy

This is Reagan-level legacy. Bigger than tax cuts or trade deals.

·        Reagan brought down communism.

·        Trump could bring a shield over the global church.

He’d be remembered in house churches in Iran, hillsides in Nigeria, and underground congregations in China as the first American president who actually defended the cross.

For all the talk about “Christian values,” no one could deny this:

Trump didn’t just talk. He protected.

So, Here’s the Question

If Trump does what no other president has dared—if he ties trade, aid, and diplomacy to the protection of Christians around the world—what excuse will the critics have left?

Will they still hide behind tone critiques and seminary credentials?

Will they still whisper about decorum while believers are butchered in silence?

Of course they will.

But one thing will be undeniable:

For all his flaws, Donald J. Trump will have done more to defend the global church than any American leader in living memory.

That young Egyptian convert deserved more than silence.

The persecuted Church deserves more than hashtags and prayer breakfasts.

It’s time someone in the White House made sure that silence never happens again.

And if Trump championed a bill in the House and Senate to tie all U.S. foreign aid and trade to the protection of Christians:

·        No conservative senator could refuse to sign it without exposing themselves.

·        Every coward who refused, could be revealed as someone willing to abandon Christians to their deaths.

·        It would be a no-lose situation—a moral spotlight no enemy of the Church could escape.

·        At the next election, their opponents can run ads that say, “Democrat Senator X refused to sign a bill protecting persecuted Christians. Senator X was willing to let Christians die.”

Let them try to explain that to their voters. Let them squirm under the weight of moral clarity for once.

And no one could complain that the bill needs to include other religions—because Christians are by far the most persecuted religious group in the world. According to the best global data, they are imprisoned, tortured, raped, and killed in greater numbers than any other faith community. A focused bill would not exclude others from future protection, but it would finally address the one group most consistently ignored by politicians, the media, and even the Church.

Neil Mammen outlines a simple strategy that you and I can all do now. If not today, this coming week. And I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly.

Taking Action Now means your voice can actually make a difference.

Send this article to everyone you know (see below)

Send it to your Republican Senators and Representatives.

Send it to your state legislators.

Send it to Charlie Kirk. Send it to Eric Metaxas. Send it to every conservative show host.

Let this be the start of a movement that no politician, pastor, or president can ignore.

It’s time to act.

It’s time to speak.

It’s time to defend the persecuted Church.

Before another Christian vanishes into silence.

All the Links are in the transcript for today’s show at www.ReclaimYourLegacy.com  When you’re at the website, use the internal site search bar to look up the title for today’s show: “If Trump Dared to Protect Persecuted Christians.”

When you send a copied message from another, be sure to write at least a brief personal note of introduction to the person you’re sending it to.

This article is at: https://open.substack.com/pub/mammen/p/what-if-trump-did-what-no-other-president

Find your reps email:

To your state rep: myreps.datamade.us

To your federal reps: myreps.datamade.us

Email it:

To Donald Trump: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

To Eric Metaxas: ericmetaxas.com/contact

To Charlie Kirk: https://www.tpusa.com/contactus/

Social Media:

Donald Trump: truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

Eric Metaxas: Twitter/X: @ericmetaxas: Instagram: @ericmetaxas    Facebook: facebook.com/ericmetaxas 

Charlie Kirk: Twitter/X: @charliekirk11 Instagram: @charliekirk1776 Truth Social: @charliekirk

At the end of today’s transcript, I’ll include the letter I sent to President Trump that you can use yourself to copy and paste into the email you send to him today.

Can you just imagine the surprised look on the faces of all these fine leaders when they see your message among thousands of others, urging them to take action with the same things you’re hearing today? You’ll be part of what might very well be one of the most positive impactful spiritual warfare strategies in modern time.  Don’t let doubtful skepticism keep you from doing what you know is the right thing to do.

Some Timely Bible Reminders

Before I share with you Neil’s excellent answers to the likely ‘push-back’ you could encounter, let me remind you of a few biblical principles…

Proverbs 24 has one of the most convicting statements in the Bible about the responsibility of God’s people to protect the helpless.

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death, and those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]!  If you [claim ignorance and] say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?” 

Proverbs 24:11-12

If today’s opportunity doesn’t challenge all of God’s people to take a timely personal action to do something that can truly make a difference in the lives of untold numbers of lives worldwide, I don’t know what would.

The only question is will you do your part?  At the very least, you can ask your friend and your pastor to read this letter about a simple action that can make a difference in the saving of many lives in nations all over the earth. Just go to www.ReclaimYourLegacy.com .  Then copy the link and paste it into your message to your friend. Then call your friend to be sure that they got it.  Then tell your friend that you’ll call them shortly (maybe in an hour) to ask them who they think should know about this.  Now, that isn’t too hard for any of us to do, is it?

Even more direct is a message in the last chapter of Proverbs – Chapter 31.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

If you and I have ever recently listened to first hand reports of the unbearable treatment of Jesus’ followers in places like what Neil Mammen describes in today’s letter, we shutter to think that such a thing could happen to our loved ones. The only question I have is, what excuse are we going to make to God, for not taking even an easy action, let alone a courageous one, when we heard about an opportunity like this to do some small thing to possibly prevent at least some of the horrific slaughter of innocents?

Remember one of the most sobering verses in the Bible.

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

James 4:17

Now, before I share with you those responses that you can give to various objections, just remember this.  All of us are influencers. We can choose to be a godly influencer like Queen Esther. It’s unlikely that someone you’re inviting to join you in taking action would harm you… so you have nothing to fear.  And if you’re willing to pray that many millions of people will hear Neil’s invitation to join him in this opportunity, why not add some substance to your prayer? Dare to intervene with friends who can make a small impact that brings about far-reaching changes in human conditions.  Just imagine, what if this actually works?

If our radio broadcast has to close before we finish sharing these 10 objections, just go to our website at ReclaimYourLegacy.com and hear all of them with the transcript for today’s show.

Appendix: Objections

Objection 1: “You can’t interfere in other nations’ sovereignty.”

Response: Sovereignty is not a license for slaughter. If a nation takes U.S. money or wants access to U.S. markets, it must meet minimum moral standards. We already condition aid on labor, LGBT, and climate policies—why not on protecting human life?

Objection 2: “This singles out Christians. What about other persecuted groups?”

Response: Christians are the most persecuted group globally—by numbers, geography, and brutality. Defending them doesn’t exclude others; it prioritizes the most urgent and widespread need. We already defend Uyghurs and Yazidis. This finally balances the scale.

Objection 3: “This is Islamophobic or anti-Hindu.”

Response: No—it’s anti-persecution. This policy targets actions, not religions. If Christian mobs were raping and killing Muslims with state protection, don’t you think we’d join others to take action too? This isn’t about religion—it’s about protecting innocent lives from violence.  When I hear ridiculous rhetoric like this, it’s clear that we’re talking to a fool… and the Bible gives us much godly counsel on how we’re to answer such foolishness.

Objection 4: “This will hurt our economic or strategic interests.”

Response: Long-term economic and strategic interests depend on stability and justice. Nations that allow religious terrorism are not reliable partners. Moral clarity strengthens alliances and deters chaos.

Objection 5: “Foreign aid helps the poor. Cutting it will hurt civilians.”

Response: We don’t have to send aid through corrupt regimes. We can redirect it to trusted NGOs, churches, and on-the-ground partners who protect people directly—without enabling the tyrants. My question is “why are we not demanding accountability from our representatives for giving humanitarian aid to any middleman who is known to be committing any kind of inhumane acts? Do you suppose the admirable actions we are seeing from our new administration are showing us reasons for hope that more initiatives like this one will be forthcoming?

Objection 6: “This is just political theater. It won’t change anything.”

Response: Sanctions and trade leverage do work. They brought down apartheid. They forced action in Hong Kong. Trump’s tariffs reshaped global trade. Using America’s economic power for justice isn’t theater—it’s overdue.

Objection 7: “Trump isn’t morally qualified to lead on religious liberty.”

Response: You don’t need to be perfect to do the right thing. Cyrus wasn’t a Jew. Constantine wasn’t a pastor. God uses flawed people to defend His people. What matters is results, not reputation. Whenever I hear ridiculous remarks, especially from Christians, about Trump’s imperfection or virtually any slander aimed at disqualifying any human with past flawed actions, I’m immediately reminded of Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when he told them “Let him without sin cast the first stone.”

Objection 8: “This could backfire and make persecution worse.”

Response: The silence of the West is what’s made persecution worse. Bold action doesn’t provoke—it deters. When the U.S. speaks with strength, tyrants pause. When we whisper or do nothing, Christians die.

Objection 9: “Religion has no place in foreign policy.”

Response: Every administration already moralizes foreign policy. Biden conditioned aid on LGBT rights. Obama did it for climate. This isn’t new—it’s just the first time someone’s inclined to be doing it for Christians.

Objection 10: “We already have religious freedom laws. This is redundant.” Response: Those laws are meaningless without enforcement. This policy puts teeth behind what Congress already passed. We’ve had the talking points. What we’ve lacked is action.

But now we’ve got a clear and simple action we all can take.  Let’s do it. This is Dennis Petersen

 I don’t know about you, but when I received Neil Mammen’s message just the day before I prepared today’s Reclaiming Your Legacy episode, I could not help being excited and thankful to God for giving us the many courageous leaders He’s been putting into positions of influence for this generation.

While much of our activity on social media and even our listening to good radio messages tends to fade into the dark-hole of forgetfulness and do-nothing obscurity, today … we have a chance to actually make a difference in the world filled with so much darkness. I hope you don’t wind up among the number of spectators who watched those who took action but did nothing to help advance the priorities of our Lord’s kingdom.

If you’ve listened to this message this far, I’m fairly confident that you will be what the Scripture calls a ‘wise man’ who has a Spirit-led sensibility, knowing when to speak to another, and when not to speak.  You will be able to discern the wisdom of Proverbs 9 that begins with the observation that “Wisdom has built her house” before going on to say:

“Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:8-9

Now, go and do the righteous actions we’ve been privileged to hear recommended today. If you do, just know that a day is coming when many will thank God you did your part in the battle for their lives.

========================

Here is the letter I sent to President Trump, including an intro sent to other leaders. You can copy and paste it into your own email to the Whitehouse.

=========================

Eric – Please join me in asking President Trump to take action as outlined by Neil Mammen. I just sent President Trump this letter, like you’ve also received from Neil.

================================

Dear President Trump,

My email from Neil Mammen, President of Values Advocacy Council, presents one of the most assertive & timely plans for Christian Americans to help the USA regain its respect among God-fearing peoples of the world while increasing protection for defenseless believers being senselessly slaughtered by evil murderers everywhere.  It will also help weed out the evil ones deeply embedded among our nation’s policy makers.

Please see Neil’s letter at https://open.substack.com/pub/mammen/p/what-if-trump-did-what-no-other-president 

Christians are being beaten, imprisoned, & murdered across the globe. They’re the most persecuted people group on earth. Over 380 million Christians—one in every 7 believers on earth—are living under violent persecution & relentless discrimination. In 2023, 4,998 Christians were murdered just for following Jesus—many butchered in villages across Nigeria. In 2023, 14,766 churches & Christian schools were attacked, burned, or destroyed. (Source: persecution.org)

This isn’t ancient history. It’s happening now. Every. Single. Day. If we do nothing it will only grow as it’s been growing. No Other President Has Defended Christians Globally as you have begun to do.

 – Obama: Downplayed Christian genocide in Middle East.

 – Biden: Prioritized LGBTQ rights & climate change in foreign aid—not Christian persecution.

 – Bush: Launched faith-based initiatives at home but didn’t pressure nations like Pakistan or Egypt to stop persecuting Christians.

 – Clinton: Signed International Religious Freedom Act in 1998 but rarely enforced it. It Gave China permanent trade relations, despite horrific Christian &Falun Gong persecution.

The so-called “Christian” presidents of the past gave speeches. They made declarations. They expressed concern. But every 2-hours, a Christian was being killed somewhere on earth simply for following Jesus—&these presidents did nothing.

None used the full weight of American power to say:

“If you want American money, American weapons, or access to American markets—you will protect Christians. Or you get nothing.”

What if President Trump, who too many religious people scorn, became the 1st to tie real consequences to Christian persecution?

What if he stood before the UN & said:

“India, if you let mobs burn a single church or beat a single convert while the police stand by, you don’t get access to our tech markets. And no more H1 Visas.”

“Nigeria, if your army refuses to protect Christian villages from Fulani raiders, & if a single Christian gets kidnapped or slaughtered, we cut your military aid Immediately.”

“Pakistan, if your courts & police continue to allow a single Christian girl to be kidnapped & raped with impunity, we cut off all military aid, block your next bailout, & say goodbye to any US visa. If you imprison one more believer over your blasphemy laws, we’ll freeze every dollar of cooperation.”

“China, if one more pastor disappears, if one more cross is torn down, or if you dare forbid access to any Christian of the original unedited Bible, we sanction your tech companies, block your exports, and every Chinese Communist Party official is banned from setting foot in the USA.”

“Finally, if any regime dares kill or allow a single Christian to be killed for converting, your trade deals are dead on arrival.”

This would make nations responsible to protect Christians –

an act no American president has done, not even Reagan. This is Reagan-level legacy. Bigger than tax cuts &trade deals.

. Reagan derailed communism.

· Trump could shield God’s global faithful.

He’d be remembered in house churches in Iran, hillsides in Nigeria, and underground congregations in China as the first American president who actually defended the cross.

For all the talk of “Christian values,” no one can deny this:

Trump didn’t just talk. He protected.

Praying for YOU

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. Prov 14:34