The creation of this office should ring a bell among Kenyans since First Lady Rachel Ruto has a Faith Diplomacy Department domiciled in her office
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Friday, February 7 announced the creation of a White House Faith Office which, according to him, will help support Christianity in one of the world’s greatest superpower countries.
He signed an Executive Order which created that office and to that effect, he appointed Pastor Paula White-Cain to serve as a Special Government Employee and Senior Advisor of the newly created office.
“In the last 40 years, White-Cain has expanded her influence globally in almost 200 countries, ministering, fighting for religious freedom and humanitarian rights, and advocating for the voiceless. She is the founder and president of Paula White Ministries and the National Faith Advisory Board.
“She is president of City Destiny and the overseer and a teaching pastor at StoryLife Church in Florida. Paula previously served as an advisor to President Trump in the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She also served as chairwoman of the Evangelical Advisory Board (2016),” a statement by the White House read in part.
Donald Trump has created a White House faith office that will be in charge of tackling anti-Christian bias in America. /TIM CLINTON
Jennifer S. Korn was appointed a Deputy Assistant to the President and Faith Director of the newly created Faith Office after serving as Senior Advisor of the National Faith Advisory Board, America’s largest faith coalition.
It has been reported that the new office will empower faith-based entities, community organisations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities. During his first term, Trump established a similar office at the White House and regularly consulted with a tight group of evangelical advisers.
Trump also signed an order to create a task force to identify “anti-Christian bias”. It would also end the war on Christians and would comprise members of the president’s Cabinet and key government agencies.
PBS News had quoted the US president noting that attempts to assassinate him changed his relationship with religion which is why he wants Americans to “Bring God back.”
The creation of this office should ring a bell among Kenyans since First Lady Rachel Ruto has a Faith Diplomacy Department domiciled in her office, one which has faced sharp criticism and condemnation by Kenyans who alleged that the office was a misuse of public funds. But how does it compare to that of Trump?
Faith Diplomacy Office
According to Rachel Ruto on February 18, 2023, Faith Diplomacy aims to foster peace and national cohesion. To achieve that, the department advocates a return to family values.
“Women and children bear the brunt of war and unstable conditions,” she explained the need to harmonise families. She was speaking during the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Rachel Ruto further divulged that peace and national cohesion are achieved by partnering with faith-based organizations to incorporate value-based teachings. “The faith-based organizations help in ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other social ills that contribute to unstable families,” she continued.
The First Lady further revealed mercy works under the department which involves keeping children in schools through the Mama Feeding Program.“Despite the government’s free primary education program, some children in urban settlements are not in school due to family responsibilities which lead to children headed households,” she regretted.
Lastly, the Faith Diplomacy Department uses faith to promote cohesion, peace and development. The Office of the First Lady was instrumental in organising National Prayers on February 14, at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi where the country prayed for rains and economic stability.
