Today more than 80 prominent evangelical leaders from across America published a statement entitled “An Evangelical Manifesto: A Declaration of Evangelical Identity.” The signatories included Robert Seiple, the first-ever U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom and founder of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), and his son Chris Seiple, the current president of IGE. They are the only father-son pair of signatories.

Released at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the statement’s purpose is to articulate a clear definition of what it means to be an Evangelical, including a strong commitment to a civil public square, both nationally and globally, that demonstrates our capacity to live with our deepest differences.

About the Manifesto Chris Seiple remarked, “The word ‘evangelical’ comes from the Greek word for ‘good news’, but as I travel worldwide, most people I meet have a negative understanding of Evangelicals, viewing us as people who wish to impose our religious and political beliefs on others. It’s time to reaffirm that because of our faith, not in spite of it, we defend universal freedom of conscience.”

Ambassador Robert Seiple confirmed that, “What we need is a public square defined by genuine religious freedom a civil public square where we know our own faith at its richest and deepest best, and enough about our neighbor’s to respect it.”

To watch the press conference live at 9:30 am, EDT, please click here.

For further information, contact Lucy Dunderdale at 703.527.3100.