Billy Graham’s granddaughter says she would be honored to lead American diplomatic efforts defending religious liberty if confirmed by the Senate.
President Donald Trump has selected Cissie Graham Lynch to serve as the United States ambassador at large for international religious freedom, according to announcements from Lynch and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Lynch, the daughter of Franklin Graham and granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham, said President Trump had asked her to serve in the State Department position.
“I would consider it a great honor and privilege to do so,” she said in a statement published September 15.
The appointment requires Senate confirmation. As of September 16, a confirmation hearing and timetable had not been announced, and the formal nomination had not appeared on the Senate’s public nomination calendar.
A Role Focused on Global Persecution
Congress created the ambassador’s position through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
The ambassador heads the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom and advises the president and secretary of state about persecution, discriminatory laws and other threats to freedom of conscience.
The office also represents the United States in diplomatic discussions about religious liberty and contributes to the State Department’s annual reporting on conditions around the world.
The position does not direct evangelism, missions or discipleship. Its governmental responsibility is to advance the freedom of people of every faith—and those who profess no faith—to live according to conscience without coercion or persecution.
The BGEA said Lynch previously served on an evangelical advisory board associated with President Trump’s faith advisory effort during his first administration. She also spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention and at a national prayer gathering in Washington in May.
Isaac Six has reportedly carried the office’s responsibilities in an acting capacity since July 2025. A previous nomination of former congressman Mark Walker expired without Senate confirmation.
Franklin Graham Asks Christians to Pray
Franklin Graham announced his daughter’s selection in a Facebook statement supplied to THRIVE!:
President Donald J. Trump has nominated my daughter Cissie Graham Lynch to serve as the United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Cissie is uniquely qualified for this—she has traveled the world and been a student of this issue for many years. She has a broad worldview and knowledge of the issues facing religious freedom today. If confirmed by the Senate, she will bring a passion for defending religious freedom to this office. I couldn’t be more proud of her, and I ask you to pray that God would give her wisdom and strength.
Graham’s assessment of his daughter’s qualifications represents his personal endorsement. Senators will be responsible for reviewing her experience, priorities and understanding of the office during the confirmation process.
Lynch similarly asked for prayer that she would serve with excellence and use the position to protect religious freedom if confirmed.
Why This Matters
Violations of religious liberty can include imprisonment, forced conversion, restrictions on worship, surveillance, discriminatory laws and violence committed or tolerated by governments.
Recent cases—including the detention and reported mistreatment of Chinese house-church leaders such as Pastor Lian Xuliang—demonstrate why sustained attention matters.
The ambassador can raise individual cases, coordinate diplomatic pressure and help make religious liberty part of broader American foreign-policy discussions.
The office’s credibility depends on applying that principle consistently. Religious freedom should not be reserved for Christians, political allies or favored countries.
THRIVE! Perspective
First Timothy 2:1–2 calls Christians to pray for rulers and all who hold authority so people may live peaceful and godly lives. Proverbs 2:6 teaches that wisdom comes from the Lord.
Christians should therefore pray for Lynch, the senators reviewing her nomination and the persecuted people the office exists to defend. Public service should be approached as a responsibility, not as a partisan trophy or a substitute for Christian ministry.
Civil government can protect freedom of conscience and confront persecution. It cannot preach the Gospel, make disciples or fulfill the Great Commission. Those responsibilities remain with Christ’s Church.
