WASHINGTON— A coalition of American Christian leaders has sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging decisive action to free 24 Christian hostages—23 Armenian Christians and one Azerbaijani Christian convert—held by Azerbaijani authorities.
Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, who remains in extremely critical condition as his hunger strike extends into its 21st day, leaving his health rapidly deteriorating in Azerbaijani detention. In their appeal, the signatories cite credible reports of torture and ongoing abuse, emphasizing their belief that President Trump’s leadership is uniquely positioned to resolve this crisis, and that swift action is needed to save Christian lives.
“We believe you are the only one who can rescue these Christian hostages. Almost two years ago, Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed more than 120,000 Christian Armenians from their ancestral homes, while the Biden administration refused to take action. Since then, 23 Christian Armenian hostages and one Azeri Christian convert have been subjected to routine torture. The International Committee of the Red Cross—the only organization permitted to check on their well-being—was ordered to leave the country in recent days,” the Christian leaders said.
“Thank you for your support for Armenia and persecuted Christians during your campaign. Your statement was powerful and sent a clear message to those who would undermine Armenia’s security and their rich Christian heritage as the first country in the history of the world to embrace the gospel of Christ,” the letter said, praising Trump’s previous support of Armenia and persecuted Christians, stating:
The statement that the signatories referred to is a Trump Truth Social post from Oct. 23, 2024 which read:
“Kamala Harris did NOTHING as 120,000 Armenian Christians were horrifically persecuted and forcibly displaced in Artsakh. Christians around the World will not be safe if Kamala Harris is President of the United States. When I am President, I will protect persecuted Christians, I will work to stop the violence and ethnic cleansing, and we will restore PEACE between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
The full list of signatories to the letter includes:
Dr. Alveda King, Chair, Center for the American Dream
Hon. Michele Bachmann, Dean, Robertson School of Government
Sohrab Ahmari, US Editor, UnHerd
Rod Dreher, Journalist and Author
Troy Miller, President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters
Ambassador Sam Brownback, Co-Chair, IRF Summit
Sean Feucht, Missionary, Musician, Activist, Author, and Speaker
William Wolfe, Executive Director, Center for Baptist Leadership
Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO, The FAMiLY Leader
Dede Laugesen, Executive Director, Save the Persecuted Christians
Suzanne Bock Grishman, Executive Director, Mercury One, Inc. & The Nazarene Fund
Ambassador Alberto Fernandez, Vice President, Middle East Media Research Institute
Dr. Jim Garlow, CEO, Well Versed
Rev. Rosemary Schindler Garlow, CEO, Schindler’s Ark
Dr. David Curry, USCIRF Commissioner
Nadine Maenza, President, IRF Secretariat
Denise Bubeck, Board Member, Save Armenia
Dr. Paul Murray, International VP, Global Peace Foundation
