President Donald Trump with Mark Walker in the Oval Office. – Photo from X (formerly Twitter)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former North Carolina Baptist pastor and congressman Mark Walker announced Jan. 8 that he has accepted a new role within the Trump administration focused on advancing religious liberty around the world.
Walker, who had been under consideration to serve as the United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, said he has withdrawn from that nomination and will instead serve as principal advisor on global religious freedom in the U.S. State Department.
In a statement released on social media, Walker expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the opportunity to serve and for the administration’s emphasis on defending religious freedom internationally.
“I am deeply grateful to President Donald J. Trump for the honor of nominating me to serve as United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom,” Walker said. “Promoting religious liberty worldwide has been a cornerstone of my life’s work – as a pastor, as a Member of Congress and as a passionate advocate for the persecuted.”
After what he described as “careful consideration and thoughtful discussions with the Administration,” Walker said he chose to withdraw from consideration for the ambassador role in favor of the newly announced advisory position.
“I am respectfully withdrawing from consideration for the Ambassador-at-Large position and excited to announce I have accepted the new role as Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom to the State Dept.,” Walker said.
In his new role, Walker will work closely with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other administration leaders to address religious persecution and human rights abuses worldwide. He emphasized that religious liberty continues to face significant challenges in many regions.
“Religious freedom remains under assault in far too many corners of the world, and I am committed to supporting the Trump Administration’s bold efforts to defend this fundamental right,” Walker said.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission had been pressing for Walker’s Senate confirmation, but is pleased with this new development.
“I’m so glad to see my friend Mark Walker appointed to this important role of Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom to the State Department,” Interim ERLC President Gary Hollingsworth said. It is gratifying to have someone who is so firmly committed to advancing religious liberty at home and abroad in this position.
“Here at the ERLC, we look forward to working closely with him on global issues that matter deeply to Southern Baptists. Please join us as we pray for him in this new endeavor of public service.”
Trump nominated Walker to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in April 2025, a position that requires Senate confirmation. While Walker’s nomination drew support from administration officials and faith leaders, it never advanced to a Senate vote. Executive branch nominations that are not confirmed before the Senate adjourns each year expire, requiring the nomination process to start over in a new session.
By moving into an advisory role, Walker is able to begin work on issues pertaining to global religious freedom immediately without restarting the formal nomination and confirmation process.
Walker has long been vocal on issues of faith and religious liberty. He said the advisory position will allow him to continue that work while helping advance America’s leadership on the issue internationally.
“I look forward to working closely with Secretary Rubio, President Trump and the entire Administration to advance America’s leadership in confronting religious persecution, exposing human rights violations, and advocating for people of faith around the globe,” Walker said.
Walker, a Republican, represented North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. During his time in Congress, he served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee from 2017 to 2019 and as vice chair of the House Republican Conference from 2019 to 2021.
Before entering politics, Walker spent 16 years in pastoral ministry, serving churches in Florida and North Carolina. He previously served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and most recently as worship pastor at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro from 2008 to 2013.
Note: This article originally appeared in the Biblical Recorder.
