Cissie Graham Lynch, senior advisor for Samaritan’s Purse and daughter of evangelist Franklin Graham, has been nominated to be US ambassador at large for international religious freedom.
President Donald Trump has recommended her for the role, to lead on American diplomatic efforts protecting and promoting religious liberty around the world.
The position has been vacant since January 2025, although a senior State Office official has been taking on the responsibilities.
Lynch said it was a “great honor and privilege” to be selected by President Trump. Her nomination will now be considered in Congress.
“If confirmed by the Senate, please pray that I would serve with excellence and make the most of every opportunity to protect our most precious and fundamental right—and one that far too many people around the world still live without—freedom of religion”, she added.
During President Trump’s first term, she served on the Executive Evangelical Advisory Board of his Faith Advisory Council and delivered a prime-time address during the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Franklin Graham posted on Facebook: “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.”
David Trimble, president of the Religious Freedom Institute, welcomed Lynch’s nomination as “our world is afflicted by an unprecedented scourge of religious persecution today”. He urged that the ambassador should play a vital part in American policy.