Breaking the Chains:

Founder of China Aid in Philadelphia to promote religious freedom and the rule of law in China. Bob regularly testifies and briefs policy makers and legislators on religious freedom, national security, foreign policy, the rule of law, and refugee issues in the free world.

Saba Gill serves as the Director of Women & Family Empowerment at Glee Ministries with her husband, Sharoon Sarfraz, ministering among persecuted Christian brick kiln families in Pakistan. She leads initiatives that empower women and children through vocational training, discipleship, and community outreach. Saba also serves as a Development Program Assistant with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and holds Master's degrees in Public Administration and Human Resource Management.

Franc Utoo is a Nigerian legal practitioner, policy scholar, and human rights advocate committed to exposing and stopping the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and Northern part of the country. A native of Yelewata, Benue State, where over 270 villagers—including 34 of his close relatives—were massacred on June 13, 2025, Franc has become one of the most outspoken voices against Fulani terrorist violence targeting Christian communities

Leah Henck serves as President for Freedom Firm USA, an organization focused on supporting the work to end child sex trafficking in India. This year Freedom Firm is celebrating its 20th year of persistent effort to bring rescue, restoration, and justice to the most vulnerable. Because impact is impossible in isolation, Leah counts it a privilege to stand as one of the team, together reaching out hands of hope and healing to girls forgotten and abused. 

Sergei Chapnin spent fifteen years serving in the central institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church. After publicly warning in 2015 that the Church was drifting toward endorsing state violence, he was dismissed from his position. He now serves as Director of Communications at the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University and as an editor for Public Orthodoxy. A leading scholar on religious persecution in Russia, Sergei is the author of Religious Communities Under Pressure (2026) and is frequently featured by major international media.

Rev. Josphine Wanjiku is a Bible teacher and passionate communicator of God’s Word with over two decades of pastoral ministry. She serves as the Curate at St. Francis Karen, Kenya after previously serving at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi. She is the founder and host of the Woman and the Word Bible Study and is dedicated to helping women know, understand and faithfully apply Scriptures to their daily lives.

Bishop-in-Exile to the Kadugli Diocese of Sudan in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. After Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir targeted him for assassination when he stood against government policies of persecution and genocide, Bishop Andudu was given exile status and U.S. citizenship

Ashley Miller is an anti-human trafficking advocate and member of the Safe House Project team, dedicated to advancing awareness, prevention, and survivor-centered care across the United States. She previously served as Director of Outreach for an anti-trafficking nonprofit, where she strengthened community partnerships and expanded access to resources for survivors of sex and labor trafficking. Ashley regularly trains communities to recognize trafficking indicators, respond effectively, and build stronger local support networks.

After a 40-year career in industry and academia, Mike Deaton retired as a professor in the School of Integrated Sciences at James Madison University. His engagement with Africa began in 2012 through sustainability education initiatives with Maasai communities in Kenya and Tanzania.

In 2020, Mike traveled to Sudan with Bishop Andudu, where he was deeply moved by the faith and resilience of Christians in the Nuba Mountains. The experience led him to help establish Sudan Church Partners, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping Christ-centered leaders for the Sudanese Church, where he now serves as President.

Melissa Piantieri is a Community Ambassador with Safe House Project, advocating for the end of human trafficking through prevention education. She is also active in anti-trafficking efforts across Northern Virginia through public speaking, buyer outreach, and serving on a Crisis Response Team supporting survivors. In addition, she works in the domestic violence field, advocating for victims and supporting rehabilitation for perpetrators.

An advocate for persecuted believers and for wider human rights issues for over 27 years, speaking, writing extensively, and mobilizing church members. Faith organized rallies and protests, drafted legislation on religious persecution for both houses of Congress, and for the Anglican Church.

Anthea Kotlan serves as the women’s ministry leader in her diocese and on the leadership team for the Women’s Leadership Network which is part of the Provincial Leadership Network, as well as the leader for New Wineskins Anglican Freedom Network that focuses on human trafficking and slavery.

As a volunteer for Open Doors USA, she has been invited to speak in various venues, and she has organized many events to bring prayer and advocacy to suffering Christians. She has also served as Co-Leader of several Persecuted Church Pre-Conferences.