2020年9月20日主日
蓬佩奧：各位早上好。這是叫我倍感榮幸的歡迎。真希望能把貴堂的唱詩班帶著跟我走，隨後一定好事連連。
葛佩裏牧師，謝謝你的邀請。很高興見到你，師母。
我和太太蘇珊在過去的幾個月裏和你們大家一樣沒能去教堂，我們都是在家看我們的母會 - 東閔斯特長老會的網上直播。我們母會在堪薩斯的威奇托，從35號高速公路，開車大概兩個多小時就到了。
在網上敬拜與跟親愛的弟兄姐妹聚在一起敬拜很不一樣。跟母堂的弟兄姐妹歡聚一堂敬拜上帝是何等美好。
在母會我是一名執事，那可是我初涉“政壇”。我和蘇珊還一同教五年級的主日學。我們教了好幾年。我教男孩們聖經課程，那簡直是為作國務卿的完美預備。五年級的男孩跟世界各地的暴君有得一比。教一批五年級的男孩，我可以說，預備了我作現在的工作。
今天來到這裏，所見所聞讓我喜笑顏開。我看見停車場裏停滿了車，我看見教堂裏坐滿了跟隨耶穌的基督徒。這就是我所認識，所熱愛的美國。很高興今天能和大家在一起。
三年多前，我還是中情局的局長。我去國外一個困難重重，局勢黑暗的地方公幹。飛機到達目的地時已是午夜時分。我爬下飛機的旋梯，一位年長的紳士向我伸出手。兩手相握時，他在我手裏塞了一本手掌大小，有些破舊的《聖經》。我不知道他給了我什麽。我向他道了謝，跳上車，打開《聖經》，發現裏麵夾了一張他寫的紙條，上麵寫著：“局長先生，你對我，對世界，一直是一盞明燈。祝福你。”後來我才知道他是國務院的一名雇員。我沒預想到後來我會領導他的團隊。但至少那一刻，對這個人來說，我是一盞明燈，是一座閃亮的燈塔。
我之所以提到這個故事，因為這就是我今天要講的內容。並不是因為我做了什麽。而是這個故事告訴我們每個人，我們有責任做出基督徒的好表率，成為這個世界上的光。
作為美國最高級別的外交官，我周遊世界，與各種宗教信仰的人打交道。世人在密切關注美國是如何領導世界。我們有絕對的責任幫助他們理解我們的國家是建立在猶太基督教的信仰基礎上的。我由衷地相信，對我們每個人來說，在公眾領域的宗教信仰不僅是合法的，而且是正義的。信仰不僅是強有力的，而且是美國傳統所要求的。特別是在這個充滿挑戰的時代，在公眾領域堅持信仰不僅是可以接受的，而且是必不可少的。我們的總統和美國高層領導人相信這點。我們每天都努力幫助我們所有人，履行我們的責任，把信仰保持在公眾領域，不論是在家，在職場，在足球場，在教師與家長會議，或是我們所在的任何地方。這對美國傳統的核心部分是不可或缺的。
我知道我現在德州，你們有些人認為德州是一個國家。我知道不是。
我的團隊提醒我，你要去圭亞那，蘇裏南，巴西，哥倫比亞，然後你要去德克薩斯。最初的新聞甚至說，蓬佩奧五天拜訪五個國家。能作為國務卿為國效力是我莫大的榮幸，也是祝福。
我們不要忘記，能在公眾領域實踐我們的信仰是我們慈愛的主賜給我們，開國元勳撰寫和保存在法律文件裏的權利。這個權利不是來自政府，而是基於我們被造而為人這一事實。240多年前，我們的開國元勳，這些了不起的人們就在法庭文件中指出，事實上，信仰要存在公共領域。我們需要每天活出這種權利。他們雖然信仰不同，但是他們都認識到，人是按照上帝的形象被造的，因此每個人都有人的尊嚴。這對美國人如此，對所有人都如此。喬治·華盛頓寫道：“在產生政治繁榮的各種性情和習俗當中，宗教和道德是不可缺少的支柱。”想想他說的這句話吧。當時他們正在獨立戰爭中，正在建設一個新的國家。他們把目光轉向這些核心理念，把保護人類尊嚴和自由尊崇為我們立國文件的核心。他們知道宗教自由，人民有以自己選擇的方式去敬拜的空間對一個國家的福祉至關重要。直到今天，在美國依然信奉這一原則。而國務院在世界各地所做的工作也必須反映這一理念。
我來舉個例子。就在這周，我在巴西北部靠近委內瑞拉邊境的地方。從委內瑞拉來的難民們紛紛逃離殘酷的馬杜羅政權。在那裏你可以看到美國人，一些是為政府工作，但很多人是義工還有很多宣教士，為那些水深火熱中的人民提供人道主義援助和深思後發出的禱告。
我們知道，當我們在公眾領域實踐我們的信仰時，美國就在最好的狀態。我們在國界內外捍衛人權，這是文明史上任何一個國家都比不上的。
但我們並不完美。有時候我們也會犯錯。事實上，美國承受最大的失敗的時候，往往是我們否認信仰在我們生活中的地位的時候。在美國，人們有廣泛的共識：如果你沒有信仰，那是你的選擇。我們非常明智地禁止國家政府建立國家宗教。
在座的每一位都知道，當宗教自由被剝奪，公共領域中信仰被叫停時，一個國家會變成什麽樣子。這樣的例子比比皆是。今天的古巴就是這樣的。葛佩裏牧師提到我年青時曾在東德和西德邊境服兵役。那時我坐在坦克裏，親眼目睹生活在東德GCZY警察國家裏人們那陰沉的麵容。你們也知道希特勒和他那信奉無神論的集權下的恐怖。令人難過的是，數以百萬計的人今天仍然生活在這種集權之下，他們不允許在公眾領域擁有信仰，甚至不許有“上帝”的概念。今天最大的案例也許發生在中國GCD統治下的中國西部地區，一個鮮為人知的，叫新疆的地方。在那裏，有100多萬中國人被關進拘留營，被全天監視，被強製絕育，強製墮胎。他們許多人遭受酷刑，或更糟糕的待遇。這隻是中共多年來對宗教人士的迫害行徑之一。是該國幾十年來對宗教的綿延戰爭的一幕。在川普總統的領導下，美國這麽多年來第一次嚴肅對待這個問題。
今年初夏時，我收到了一位中國女士的來信。她的丈夫是一位牧師，現被當局囚禁。她寫道：“親愛的弟兄姐妹們，我懇求你們為我和我的家人祈禱。我丈夫被監禁已經6個多月了。一開始的時候，他還會打電話來告訴我他無恙。如今希望越來越渺小，越來越煎熬。我每天盼望的就是能跟他在電話上說上幾分鍾話。我所作的隻有祈禱了”。
我們應該牢記我們的義務，責任和能力，堅持我們在公眾領域的信仰，在眾人前發光。上帝呼召我們這樣作，我們有這樣的責任。而且這從根本上就是美國精神。我們應該禱告。祈禱是最重要的。我能感受到人們的禱告。我經常收到人們寄來的信，告訴我他們在為我們祈禱，我和蘇珊和兒子都為此感激不已。你們還應該支持那些你們教會和其他地方派出的傳教士去做出色的工作。我在世界各地公幹時，就見到這些傳教士所作的，把光和鹽帶到世界最黑暗的角落。
你們也可以在日常生活中，在教會，在查經班，在職場，在你所到任何之處，在每一次與人互動中行使你擁有的宗教自由。對自己基督徒的身份坦誠布公，毫不含糊，如果千千萬萬的美國人都行使他們的宗教自由，所產生的影響將是巨大的。這也將給我這個美國國務卿加添力量。你們將展現給世界美國是一個怎樣的國家。你們將帶給那些因宗教衝突而四分五裂的人們一個希望，就是不同宗教信仰的人們能夠團結在一起。這是我們這個國家能作的獨一無二的事情，而且我們能把這個信念傳到世界各國。如果我們在美國這樣一個開放的社會藏匿這光，我們就給那些生活舉日維艱，或因公開自己的信仰而生命遭受威脅的人民傳遞一個慘淡的信息。我督促在座的各位好好使用你寶貴的自由為我們的國家，為上帝的國度，作大事。
如今全世界都盯著著我們。會有喋喋反對聲，會有嚴厲批評者。如果你公開你的信仰，一定有人會說你這樣作是不對的，但不要氣餒。這隻是意味著你信仰堅定而且你毫不掩飾。
我就親身經曆過這樣的事。我並沒有受迫害，但我經曆過。前國家安全顧問說，邁克·蓬佩奧公開信仰宗教是有問題的。前些時候，“時代”雜誌還說我的太太蘇珊對我這點很不滿。報道說：“近幾十年來沒有哪個國務卿像蓬佩奧先生這樣公開和熱情地在討論基督教和外交政策時，給兩者同樣的廣度”。
我的兒子尼克已經快30歲了，他的主要職責就是讓我保持謙遜。他讀了那封信，就發短信給我說：“這兩個廣度之間應該有多大距離呢？”這個問題由一個優秀的年輕基督教信徒提出來，合情合理。將信仰與美國的外交政策聯係起來是必須的，是非常重要的。這是件好事。
我想起，上周星期二，我在白宮參加了一個儀式：兩個穆斯林國家的首腦與猶太國家以色列簽署了一項和平協議。我們為這個和平協議的簽署作了大量工作。川普總統決定承認這個聖經上所記載的國家，承認耶路撒冷為以色列的合法首都。事實是，雙方的首腦，不論在公開場合或私下，都非常肯定他們的信仰在我們共同取得的這一成就中處於中心地位。盡管這些國家在今後可能還會在許多問題上存在分歧，我堅信，他們的信仰將促使他們到達正確的地方，為兩國人民做出正確的決定。阿拉伯聯合酋長國和以色列能簽署被稱為“亞伯拉罕協定”的曆史性和平協議絕非偶然。我們知道上帝的名有時為邪惡所宣稱。但當世界各地的領導人感受到一個來自更高的力量的束縛，要他們尋求國與國之間的和睦相處時，我們應該予以支持。這是一件光榮的事，一件合乎基督教原則的事。信仰加強，而不是削弱美國的外交。
還有更多的好消息：在國務院，我不是唯一一個對此堅信不疑的人。最近部裏有一批為主發光的基督徒組織了國務院史上第一個以信仰為基礎的雇員小組。其中一個領頭人對我說：“邁克，你來之前，我們覺得因為我們對耶穌基督的信仰聚在一起也許不太明智。現在因為你的榜樣，我們明白了，我們必須宣揚在國務院使命中信仰的價值”。這是多麽的光榮！他們的心在對的地方。所以不要讓任何人告訴你信仰跟我們作為美國人的生活沒有關係。
我旅行的地方很多，從以色列到印度，從南韓到塞內加爾。各國領導人總是跟我談到他們的信仰。是的，他們也跟他們的民眾談論他們的信仰。信仰是世界各地人民生活的中心。事實上，正是在信仰受到壓製、被消滅的地方，我們看到了殘暴、邪惡和人性慘遭壓迫。就在這裏，就在美國，我們有特殊的責任在公共領域保持信仰。
來看看這巨大的祝福：我有此成為美國第70任國務卿的殊榮，擔當如此光榮的使命，完全因為上帝在我生命中的恩典。我在辦公室右手邊的桌子上放了一本聖經。我每天都找時間默想上帝的話語。但當事務越忙，這樣做就越難。在華盛頓上班時，我每天需要花20秒乘電梯去辦公室。在電梯裏我會低下頭，用禱告開始我的一天。這與“聖經”的教導是一致的。加拉太書第六章第9節說：“我們行善不可喪誌，若不灰心，到了時候就要收成”。
我知道如今世事艱難。我們的教堂和學校重新開放了，這太棒了。我們要與主同行，作此善工。我們大有幫助，因為祂的大能使軟弱得以完全。
“祂對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。”
所以，在座的朋友們，在其他地方的朋友們，永遠不要放棄照亮世界，永遠不要放棄在公共領域的信仰，當有機會在眾人麵前見證我們的信仰時，絕不要放過良機。與主同行，堅持真理，保持信心。我們眾誌成城，讓這個國家為世界發光。
感謝你們讓我今天來到這裏。願上帝祝福你們每一個人。
牧師：
非常感謝。我們剛剛從你這兒聽到，恰恰是我們需要聽到的、也是我們想聽到的、也是我們期待聽到的。我們教會正在講授一個世界觀係列，討論我們應該如何透過聖經看待世界。剛才你清楚地分享了，你有一個基督教的，基於聖經的世界觀。你是怎麽開始的？你是如何在個人生命層次上認識基督的？你在前麵的敬拜中涉及了這個經曆。現在可以跟我們再多分享一點嗎？
蓬佩奧：
我是在南加州長大的，小時我去教堂，但我的夢想是成為一個NBA籃球明星。
然後我被美國軍事學院錄取。入學時，有兩位大三的學長開了個查經班，查經時有曲奇餅吃。曲奇餅我可不會錯過。但他們查經很認真。他們把耶穌介紹給我，教我讀聖經。我與主同行始於他們，而且從那時起，從未間斷。隨著周遊世界和觀察世界，我的信心不斷增長。有時有人會到我身邊，悄悄地告訴我，他們為我是一個基督徒，一個領袖而感恩。這提醒我耶穌基督是我生命的中心，每一次有機會我都必須分享這個信念。我的信心和理解也得以堅固，就是隻有通過祂，美好的事情才能在這個世界發生。
牧師：
真是太美妙了，川普總統身邊有像邁克·蓬佩奧這樣的人，他們都是耶穌的信徒和追隨者，還有你們熟悉的來自中西部的邁克·彭斯，白絲·迪瓦斯，本·卡森，以及我們親愛的州長裏克·佩裏，他已從內閣離職。對於我們這些耶穌的追隨者信徒來說, 知道我們的國家的領袖是一批尋求上帝，尋求上帝的智慧的人，實在是太重要了。為此謝謝你。這個人的生命如明光照耀。與他近距離接觸過，我可以告訴你們，他本人就像他在台上這樣，熱情，溫和。謝謝你坦誠布公地分享你的信仰。這對我們在座的每位都大有啟發。如果美國的國務卿可以成為耶穌基督的使者，我知道我們都可以。
當我們談到世界觀，我們的世界觀時，聖經上有一條重要教訓，教導我們生命的神聖性。正如你上次談到，生命為上帝所造，因此我們知道生命有價值。我們確信生命的神聖，因此我們信奉“生命至上”。從搖籃到墳墓，都是如此。因此我們開辦了“孕婦中心”和一個移動小組，專事拯救胎兒。我說，國務卿，我們相信“生命至上”，也把“愛至上”的信念付諸行動。這就是作鹽作光來影響世界，這就是作基督的使者。跟我們談談你對生命和生命的神聖性的看法吧。我知道你對此深有見識。
蓬佩奧：
你們在這個問題上立場正確，恰如其分。這非常重要，永遠不要改變。永遠不要在人的尊嚴和保護每個人的生命這一核心問題上妥協。我本人有機會在世界各地做這項工作。在全世界範圍，我們都是一個極其慷慨的國家。我們在全世界向那些生存最艱難的地方提供人道主義援助，我們做得非常出色。不幸的是，在某些總統的管理下，好些時候，我們的政府資助用墮胎來中止胎兒生命。本屆總統說：“不，我們不可以這麽做。”作為國務卿，我有機會實施這一政策。我們確保沒有美國納稅人的錢用於資助與墮胎有關的組織。
牧師：
我們有多少人知道現在最高法院有一個空缺？在生命至上的問題上，我們實實在在正處在一個關鍵時刻。我記得我多次告訴年輕人，我們的千禧代，你們可以成為結束美國這場大屠殺的一代人。現在時間近了，我們需要為我們的總統祈禱，因為他將任命最高法院的下一位大法官。祈禱上帝給他智慧，讓一切順利。
讓我們再談談中東。我知道, 我們一直都有談這個問題，國務卿。我曾經和其他一些基督教領袖一起，坐在你的會議室，探討在耶路撒冷的局勢，和把大使館遷移到那兒。除此之外，促成阿拉伯國家與以色列達成某種協議。為此我們在一起禱告。國務卿表達了全心全意的讚同。最近，正如你所言，這事成了。他們簽署這個協議，就是“亞伯拉罕協議”。你能跟我們透露一點內部人士可以透露的內幕嗎？
蓬佩奧：
這個協議好像是一蹴而就，但其實所花時間甚巨。我們確實為此作了許多工作。總統將其優先級別排得很高。他首先提出了他對中東和平的願景，而最終我們認識到，帶來許多傷害的巴以衝突並不是問題。真正的問題是來自伊朗的威脅。然後我們做出了改變，我們誓言要捍衛以色列，和以色列人民一起努力。我們要建立一個尊重他們，承認他們存在的權利的聯盟。這就是解決問題的關鍵，它為我們提供了這個不可思議的機會。如今，多個不同宗教信仰的卓越的領導人宣稱：我們承認猶太人生存的權利，這裏的確是猶太人的家園。我們願意與他們合作，與他們同工，我們就在那裏一起祈禱。
你們中有幸去過以色列的人，還記得在聖殿山上往下看，看到清真寺，教堂，猶太會堂。三大宗教匯集在那裏。本周所簽署的協議提供給我們一個巨大的機會。我們有望在這個協議的基礎上，創建一個持久的共識，來打造一個較為安全的中東，和給在伊拉克，敘利亞和黎巴嫩這樣的地方的基督徒以更大的機會，擺脫他們政府的壓迫，去實踐自己的信仰。
牧師：
棒極了。我們教會的祈禱事項之一是求上帝祝福和保佑美國。謝謝你剛才提到開國元勳們。我認為現在有很多人想要改寫美國曆史。它以一種不好的方式開始，還在以一種不好的方式繼續。我們愛美國，我知道也是。跟我們談談你對曆史的看法。在我們當下這個取消文化的文化環境下，我們作為基督徒如何看待和愛我們的國家?我們還可以像應該的那樣愛我們的國家嗎？
蓬佩奧：
不僅可以，而且是必須的。這就是為什麽今早我會選擇這個話題。我是一名美國外交官，但我敏銳地意識到在我們國內正發生的這些衝突和鬥爭可以削弱我對外作為燈塔的能力，就是這個非凡的國家在人類文明曆史對世界作為燈塔的作用。來回答你剛提出來的問題，我聽有些人說這個國家的建國時間，不是開國元勳所定的1776年。我們每天要更努力，努力奮鬥，以創造更完美的合眾國。我認為，有兩件事是我們必須要做的：第一，我們要履行公民的職責，還要在這個世界上表現自己。第二，我們需要回到開國元勳對信仰的理解，這個猶太基督教國家對整個世界舉足輕重。我們必須堅持這個原則，不能讓任何人試圖用改寫曆史來否認這一曆史事實。堅守這些傳統，將它延續子孫萬代，至為重要，至為關鍵。
牧師：
同意。今年是大選年。我們都知道，有趣的是，在2016年，2500萬自稱為福音派基督徒的人沒有投票，很多人甚至沒有作選民登記。在我們教會，我們號召會眾去登記，投票。我們也為此禱告，我們要求你們去投票。國務卿，我們作為公民的參政責任是什麽？我們應該怎樣參與？我們在這個關頭該如何為你，為我們的總統祈禱？
蓬佩奧：
我們應該為距今還有四十餘天的大選禱告，禱告這次大選能安全地進行，每個人的選票隻數一次。我想起當我在世界各地旅行時，我們試圖幫助各國建立選舉製度。這個工作很花時間。
我在圭亞那時，他們正好在進行長久以來第一次民主選舉。我驚異地看到當地民眾對美國人來幫助他們在他們國家建立一個民主製度的反應。若在數選票時有欺詐，是不可接受的。我們要確保投票運作正常，這是我們的職責。有人說我們不能談政治，但我們有責任保證你的選票作數，站出來選你看中的人。你有責任到投票站去，運用我們所得到的自由。我們的政府官員和保安團隊應該確保我們有機會去投票，去運用我們的自由。勸你的朋友們也這樣作。上帝就會做工。我們就可以經過這場大選而成為更好，更強大的國家。
牧師：
我對此深信不疑。阿門！所以請大家去作選民登記，去投票。我們為總統，副總統，你，邁克·蓬佩奧和整個內閣祈禱，但我們今天有一個獨一無二的特權來為上帝帶到我們中間的這個人祈禱。今天他用他的話語祝福了我們。謝謝你。我們一同站起來為國務卿祈禱。我們請求上帝的祝福，信實繼續與他同在。我知道上帝一直與他同在。讓我們來禱告。
主啊，我們感謝禰呼召我們成為基督的使者，也感謝禰以獨特而有策略的方式將這個人帶到這個職位，給他這些任務。在禰的預備和神聖計劃中，他對外代表著禰，我們的國家，代表著我們的憲法。我們為他如此公開地為禰發光而感謝禰。
我們為他的妻子，他的兒子和他的家人祈禱。我們祈禱禰用平安保護他的身心靈，賜給他能力。保守他全心全意地愛禰，愛我們的鄰舍，愛禰放在他心上的，這個國家的鄰舍，世界各地的鄰舍。在絕望之地，請用他帶去希望之光。
在這旅程中賜給他平安與喜樂，幫助他成為一個和平的使者。賜他信心和力量，以便擔好禰放在他肩上這副巨大的重擔。主啊，禰知道他肩上壓著的是美國和世界各國政權的沉重擔子，我們求禰給他力量負重前行。
求禰賜他的信心強大真實，足以支撐著他。也求禰賜他智慧。。
我們今天向他致敬。我們感謝他把這榮耀歸還給禰。
主啊，我們為我們的國家祈禱，我們為世界和平祈禱。
我們為川普總統，彭斯副總統，和內閣所有成員禱告。
哦主啊！我們祈禱，在最高法院大法官的選擇上，願禰的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。
我們知道禰愛每一個出生或未出生的嬰兒。禰是生命的創造者和賜予者。我們禱告禰幫助我們為我們所在之地帶來改變。
主啊，我們立下誓言，要恒久為邁克·蓬佩奧祈禱。求禰繼續使用他來榮耀禰的名。奉主耶穌基督的名，阿門！
謝謝你，國務卿！
英文：
Secretary Pompeo's second remarks at the Prestonwood Baptist Church
Good morning，everyone。Good morning，welcome。I think i'm gonna take that quiet with me wherever I go。 Good things which surely follow past grand。Thank you for having it。It's been delightful to meet you first lady。Nice to see you。 My wife susan I for these past months much like many of you haven't been able to go to church。 We've been streaming our home church。He's missed to presbyterian。I've been what you，talk kansas system a couple hours up by thirty five from here。 It's not the same thing as gathering with our fellow believers。 Those people at least mister near new to our hearts to our friends，the people we love to worship with I was a deacon there that was my first entry into politics。 I then I taught 5th grade sunday school，susan，and I taught a class together there for for a number of years。III would try to teach the boy scripture。It's been perfect to become secretary of state。5th graders and tyrants around the world share certain common characteristics。Having one set of 5th grade boy myself，I would have to say，look，I put a normal smile on my face to come in here。Today。I see the parking lot for a big truck and I have to see the fuse filled with christian believers follow of jesus。This is the america that I know in the america that I love it's that's great to be with you all here today。 Just a little over three years ago。I was the director of the c I a I was traveling to a pretty difficult dark place in the world。I was climbed off the airplane。It was in the middle of the night came down the steps and older gentlemen reached out his hand to me and we shook hands and into my hand he placed a small palm sized bible。Many pattern grabbed it。II didn't know exactly what it was。I thanked himself low and hopped into my vehicle，got the car and opened it up。And there was a note from him inside the bible said， mister director，you have been a light to me。To the world bless you。 I later learned that he was a state department employee， no idea that someday I would lead his team。But I didn't know that for at least one person at that moment in the time I had been a beacon and I had been a light I I had shown for him。III tell you this story because this is what I want to talk about today。It's not because of something that I did。I tell you that story because it tells each of us about how we have a responsibility to model christian behavior and to be alive into the world。 I i'm now america's most senior diplomat。I travel the world。I I with people of many face how america leads in the world is being watched。 There is an absolute responsibility to make sure that they understand our founding。That's a duty of christian nation。 I believe deeply with all my heart that faith facing the public square for each of us，but the public square is not only lawful but righteous。A faith is not only powerful but required by the american tradition。And especially this challenging times keeping faith in the public square is not simply acceptable，but it's an imperative。Our president believes that and the senior leaders of america believe that and we every day strive to help all of us for all of us to have a responsibility to keep faith in the public whether that's home or work soccer fields with our kids or p t meeting wherever we may find ourselves，yeah。 This is essential to the central part of the american tradition。No，I know i'm in texas and some of you think it's a country。I know it's not。 My team reminded me that so you're headed to ghana，sir， brazil，columbia，and then you go to texas and the original press release the five countries five days。It was enormous privilege to service secretary state and a blessing to identify For us，this this right that comes down to governments，fact that we are human beings。Our founders recognize that and these men these amazing men back 240 plus years ago in our court documents that faith would in fact be in the public square。We need to live up to that each and every day they knew they came from different faith walks themselves，but they knew that each of us had human dignity because we were because we are created the image of god that certainly accounts for us in american accounts for all people。It was george washington who wrote of all the and habits which lead to political prosperity。Religion and morality are indispensable supports about that。The fighting a revolution，the working to build out a nation and they turn to those central ideas upon which stability they put protection of human dignity and human freedom at the heart of our founding documents。 They knew the religious freedom，the capacity to us to worship in the way that she wanted was central to the well being of a nation。And to this day while in perfect america reflects this， our state department，the work that we do all across the world must reflect this as well。I give you a good example from just this week。I was in the northern part of brazil on the near the venezuelan border and the refugees were fleeing from the brutal material regime。And you saw americans there，some of them working for the government，but many they're volunteering。There were mission work taking place as well，providing humanitarian assistance help and a thoughtful prayer for those people who are in such difficult conditions。 We know america is its best when faith in the public square，we defend human rights inside of reporters and outside of reporters like no other nation in the history of civilization。What a perfect we get it wrong sometimes indeed in america our great some of our greatest failings have been when we didn't acknowledge the place to face。Can we have an understanding if you have no faith in that is your choice。We rightly don't permit a national government to establish a state religion。Everyone in this room knows what nations look like when religious freedom is stopped out and faith in the public square is eliminated。Examples that are going today，we see what's happening in places like cuba。Pastor graham spoke about the fact that I served as a young soldier on the western and eastern border。I said my take Sadly，millions of people still live under regimes，they want to vanish，they from the public or any notion from a specific life。Today，perhaps the greatest example is the chinese communist party in the west part of china place and of us might know。Let's go to xinjiang more than a million chinese have been forced into internment camps being surveillance twenty four seven four forced abortions today in the world in which we have their submitted subjective to torture and worse part of the chinese communist party constant attack on faith。What's the war they have been happening for decades？United states for the first time in many years is taking this on the president trump in a serious way。Imprisoned in china she wrote to me， beloved brothers and sisters I honestly ask for your prayers for me and for my family，it's been over six months since my husband has been incarcerated。At first，he would make phone calls and hear from him。For steve not seek All I have left is prayer。We should be mindful of our responsibility to your obligation and our capacity to keep our faith。All right。In the public square，as questions were called to do that，we have that responsibility。Fundamental american too。We should break。That's the first of all things I feel prayers。I get notes for people who say they're praying for me。II can feel that my wife，my son，we all appreciate it。 You should keep supporting the missionaries to come from your church and from others doing remarkable work。I see it as I travel all around the world，they are。You can also do it in some ways and every interaction that you haveThat is a very good idea of face exercising these freedoms every day，the human effect is massive。It wouldn't power me。secretary state the united states，america，you will be telling the world who we are as a nation to your that are um that are torn apart by religious conflict，hope that people of different things can live in unity。It's something we do here that is really american。We have that on。if you hide your life in an open society like ours that sends a terrible message to places that are more difficult to have trouble or who are threatened if they choose to be bold in their face energy every one of you to use your precious freedoms to do big things for our country alongside of doing the big things for our kingdom。When you get in there，the world is watching us and there will be nice，there will be critics。If you speak up about your faith，it is undoubtedly the case that someone will suggest that's not the right thing to do，but don't be discouraged。It means you've got conviction no one。Everything。 I know this first hand，i'm not a victim，but i've seen it。 The previous national security advisor said that it was problematic that mike popia is overtly religious。There are times wrote a piece that my wife still gives me trouble about it said says，quote，no secretary of state in recent decades has been as open and fervent as mister pompeii about discussing christianity and foreign policy in the same breath。My my son nick，who's the almost 30 now his primary function life is to keep me humble。 He read that in texas。He says how many breasts is supposed to take between the two a reasonable question from a a wonderful young christian believer，but connecting faith to america's foreign policy is imperative。It's important。It's a good thing。II was reminded of that just this week，just this past week on tuesday，a 2000at the white house force ceremony，the leaders of two muslim nations may peace with the jewish state of israel。many things that we did enable that president is the decision to recognize this biblical land。of this accomplishment，what it is we were collectively able to achieve even though these nations added and likely will have disagreements on many things for time to come。I'm confident that their faith would drove them to be able to get to the right place to make this good decisions for both of their peoples。 It is no coincidence that the historic agreements is real and the united arab emirates and israel about rain are known as the abraham courts。 I know for evil，but we should welcome it when leaders across the world feel bound by a higher power，feel bound by a higher power to pursue harmony with other nations。It's a glorious thing。It's a deeply christian thing。the right heart So don't let anybody tell you to india from south korea to set a goal。World leaders always talk to me about their faith。Yeah。 They tell their people about their face to us at the center of lives all across the world。Indeed。It is in the places where faith is suppressed，a target for total erasure that we see brutality，md，and where humanity is most oppressed。 We have a special responsibility to keep faith in the public square here in the united states of america。Look at this great blessing。II get to carry out this mission， This privilege to serve as america's 70th secretary of state。It's only because of god's grace in my life that I have have this chance。II keep on the table over on the right hand side of my office，a bible。II try to dig into the word each and every day it's a little harder as I get busier。I use as an elevator，I ride every day into work，it's about 20seconds。I use that about my head。Set myself for the day to play when i'm in washington。 It's consistent with what the bible tells us and galatians chapter six first nine。It reads let's not become weary and doing good for the proper time。We will reap a harvest if we do not give up。 I know these times are difficult，we're getting our churches and our schools back open this is fantastic。 We will do this good work alongside the lord we have great help it is his power that has made perfect in weakness。So here present with my my friends and everywhere else don't ever give up shining the light，don't ever walk away from an opportunity to make faith in the public work All of us together win this nation a light to the world。Thank you for letting me be here today。Make up bless each and every one of you。 Yeah。Good morning。thank you so much。And just what we wanted to hear needed to hear now we were here。II was just wondering tell us a little bit more about how are you good christian world you were in a world view series right now talking about how we see the world in this picture that you have a world view that man and christian and biblical clearly you share that。 How did that start for you？How did you come to no christ in a personal way you shared a little bit about that in the early service a little more。So I grew up in southern california，I went to church， but I was gonna be a basketball star。Yeah。We'll hold the bible study in the africa。I was always but they did more seriously than the problem in jesus。They taught to be the bible。 I walk with the lord really began with them and it has been with me ever since and my faith grows as I travel around the world and I watch people。I'll have people come tug on my sleeve and thank me for being a christian for being a leader。It reminds me of the centrality of who jesus christ is in my life responsibility that I have to share that each time I get an opportunity to do so and reinforces my faith and understanding that it is only through him。The good thing it's really incredible to see how president trump has surrounded himself with people like mike pompeo who are believers and followers of jesus like mike pence。Do you know quite well from the midwest？ That's a divorce I i have been carson，of course，and our own governor rick perry who is here now retired from the cabinet，but it's very important for us who are believers and followers of jesus that we know people who are leading our country， seek god and seek god's wisdom and thank you for doing that。 And this man's life shines shines and I can tell you up close and personal he's warm。He's winston just to see appears here thank you for being so genuine in your fate and open about your fate。That's an inspiration for every one of us， if the secretary of state of the united states of america can be an ambassador for christ first，then I know we all can as well one of the one of the key issues for us when thinking about world view and our view of the world。And the bible is the sanctity of life and you see it because life is valuable because life is created by god。As you talked about，we believe life is sacred and that we are therefore very much a pro life。We are from the world to the two。Actions and that salt and light that's being making a difference that's being an ambassador tell us your views on life and the sanctity of life。I know you have some so you all have the right end of the stick on this and that's important，never walk away from that，never never round edges on that central issue of human dignity and protecting every human life。 I get a chance to work on this now all around the world。 We are enormously a generous nation。We provide humanitarian assistance all across the loop to some of the most difficult places and we do real good。 It is unfortunate from time to time under certain administration，some of that money goes to underwriting the termination of life to abortions。This president has said，no，we're not gonna do that。And I as a secretary state get the chance to enforce that。 We underwrite these places。We make sure that no u s taxpayer tower，none of the money you provide will ever go to funding an organization that is connected to abortion。 How many of that we have a supreme court vacancy now？And on we are at the tipping point on the issue of life in america，we really are。I believe I tell young people all the time hear a lot about millennial。I say you can be the generation that ends this holocaust in america and we're getting close and we need to pray for our president as he appoints the next justice of the supreme court。Pray，the god will give him wisdom and that will go。 Let's talk a little bit more about the middle east。 I know， in fact，we met，I think somewhere along the way，but I got to sit down with the secretary rather and a few other christian leaders in your office in your conference room actually and we talked about this situation in jerusalem and moving the embassy there，but beyond that，trying to create some kind of an agreement of the arab nations in israel，we had a time of prayer。The secretary expressed his heart and intentions on that。And now，as you mentioned， is happening with this recent agreement， the abraham agreement。 Can you tell us a little bit more little inside scoop on some of that the abraham records of the classic overnight success that took forever？So much work in the president made this such a priority。He first laid out his mission for peace in the middle east。Recognized in the end， the problem wasn't the conflict between the palestinians of the israelis that was driving so much of the harm。It was the threat from iran。And when we made that shift that we said we're gonna defend，we're gonna work with the people of israel。We're gonna build out coalitions that respect and honor them and recognize their right to exist。And that was the thing that unlocked the key that gave us this incredible opportunity and now to the remarkable leaders。It is the jewish homeland。We're gonna partner with them。 We're going to work with them。We will pray together right there。And those of you who have the first to travel to israel of，seeing you write you bend to the temple mount。You've seen a locks of moscow scene where these three religions come together and we now have an enormous opportunity to build out on what happened this week and hopefully create a lasting set of understandings that will create a much less dangerous middle east and give christians that are in places like iraq and christians that are in syria and christians who are in lebanon，a greater chance to practice their faith without being oppressed by their leaders very nice。One of the things that we pray about is the blessing of the protection of god upon america。I think the reference to the founding fathers there are a lot of people who want to seemingly rewrite american history。 This somehow it started in a bad way，continues in a bad way。We love america and I know you do tell us your thoughts of history a little bit and in this whole cultural castle culture environment that we have right now，how can we as christians think of our country and love our country？Can we love our country like a man man？ We must it's actually a picture that's why I pick this topic this morning to talk about I served as america's diplomat to the world when i'm you can wear the conflict and strive here in the united states undermines my capacity to be a beacon to have this most exception exceptional nation，the history of civilization be that way to the world。So when I to your point I when I see people suggesting that somehow this nation beast，the art，school， we're making more perfect union that we work on this every day and then we strive towards it。I think there's two things when we have to do this in our civic life in the way we carry ourselves in the world。But second we need to return to the founder central understandings about really and how this junior christian nation is central to the world and we must stand with it and we can't let anybody try and rewrite history to suggest otherwise。It was an absolute imperative that we stand on these traditions。I it's for our kids and for our grandkids。It's absolutely imperative。Yes。and how this is an election year。And we all know that interestingly enough，in2016，25million people who identified themselves as evangelical christians did not vote many were unregistered to vote。 Here presto，when we want you to register about what is our civic responsibility just to participate， secretary and how can we be involved and how can we pray for for you our president in our country right now。So we should pray that the elections that will have in sun。And I just I I I am reminded when I travel the world and we try to help countries build out election systems。We spent a lot of our time and I went to ghana because they had their first democratic election in an awfully long time。And it was amazing to see the responses people alongside the road for america coming to help them build out a democratic system in their country to stand when there was fraud in their vocabulary to say we work on accepted we have a responsibility as the sector said，i'm not allowed in politics。 I I can do duty。 It is everyone's duty to be counted to stand up and express your preference，the things that you want to go to the polling place and exercise that freedom that we have been given and that are officers and security teams will ensure that we have the opportunity to go exercise that right，make sure everyone of your friends does the same。And then the lord will pass upon it and then come back， So register， we do pray for a president vice president you， mike pompeo and the entire cabinet，but we have a very unique privilege today to bring this man。The god has brought our way and has he blessed us today just with his words and thank you。So and the secretary and i'm going to pray for him with you and we're going to ask god's favor which is always present to continue to be upon him。I know god's presence is with him。 We want to pray to that in lord。We thank you that you have called us to be ambassadors ambassadors for christ and you have uniquely and strategically place this man in his office and assignment。And in your providence in your divine plan，he is there representing you a nation，the constitution。We thank you that he so and openly let's his light shine，we pray for his wife，his son。It's family，we pray that you would watch over him with your peace body。My soul and strength that he would love you with all his heart。I love our neighbors，neighbors here in this country and neighbors around the world and it is hard to do where there is despair。May he be a light of hope，give him joy in this journey？Give him peace and make him a peace maker or give him faith the strength that he needs to do the job that you have given him a huge job，a big assignment and literally so often the weight of governments in the world in this country is on this man shoulders。So we pray that you would help him by your strength to bear this up and that his fate is strong and true。We sustain him and give him。Anna。As we honor him today。We thank you that he turns that honor back to you，but we pray for our nation，we pray for peace in the world。We pray for our president trump advice president has this cabinet。 We pray god in the selection of a supreme court justice that you will be done on earth，is it isn't that we know your heart？It's for every baby morning i'm born。 Are the giver and the author of life。We pray that we can make a difference where we are。 We promise we pledge to pray from Mike pompeo and lord that you will continue to use him for your glory in name and everyone said， amen，thank you。Secretary。
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