At the heart of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., we meet with Congressman Addison “Joe” Graves Wilson, Representative of South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, during the international conference “United in Liberty: The Rise of Spiritual Diplomats,” led by Pastor Mark Burns on the ALLATRA Platform, for a conversation on spiritual diplomacy, religious freedom, and global cooperation.
In this interview, Congressman Wilson shares his personal understanding of spiritual diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of freedom of religion as a foundation for strong, peaceful societies. Drawing from America’s history and his own family story rooted in religious freedom, he reflects on how diverse faith communities — Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and many others — can collaborate for mutual benefit and global stability.
With over 31 years of military service, including retirement as a Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard, and decades of public service, Congressman Wilson brings a unique perspective to global leadership. He currently serves as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, focusing on international security, human rights, and cooperation across nations.
Throughout the conversation, Congressman Wilson discusses how collaboration between faith leaders, policymakers, and civic leaders can create meaningful, positive change in today’s world — strengthening freedom, dignity, and peace across borders.
For more information about the conference, visit the official website:
https://interfaithconf.org/
More information on the Spiritual Diplomats initiative:
https://www.spiritualdiplomats.org/
Congressman Joe Wilson’s Official Website:
https://joewilson.house.gov/
ALLATRA International Public Movement Official Website:
https://allatra.org/