Back in November, Christianity Today spoke with 26 evangelical leaders around the world to gauge their reactions to the US electing Donald Trump for a second presidential term. At the time, the responses ranged from jubilant to indifferent to despairing.
During Trump’s first 100 days in office, he has made monumental changes impacting not only American citizens but also people around the world, including cutting international aid, levying tariffs, ending refugee resettlement, and deporting undocumented immigrants.
To see how Trump’s policies have affected Christians globally and whether his first 100 days have changed Christians’ minds about him, CT reached out to seven Christian leaders from around the world—including Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and Nepal—who initially felt hopeful about Trump. CT has edited responses for clarity and length.
Mexico
Rubén Enriquez Navarrete, secretary, Confraternidad Evangélica de Mexico
In Mexico, Christians have mixed feelings about Trump’s presidency. For the more conservative and the upper middle class, the sentiment has been positive because they believe he is sticking to biblical principles. For the middle and lower classes, it has been negative due to his actions against migrants. This has led to doubts over whether Trump is a Christian, as he seems more focused on nationalism than spirituality.
Kenya
Nelson Makanda, president, Africa International University
It’s been a mixed bag of fruits.
Positively, Christians in Kenya are relieved that the push to align our education, health, and cultural sectors with Western liberal thought and practices has greatly eased. There are no longer threats that groups would lose US funding or visas if they don’t support “inclusion.” Our governments have been liberated to be culturally African and Christian.
Negatively, the withdrawal of USAID funding has affected many health care, education, poverty alleviation, and governance programs that were helping our people. Most Christians remain hopeful the US will continue to support grassroots social programs so that the gospel is not maligned due to the negative impact created by the withdrawal of state funding. America’s president should remember the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Nigeria
James Akinyele, secretary general, Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship
Trump’s administration has had a mixed impact on Nigeria. His clear stance against LGBTQ ideology resonates well with many Christians, as it aligns with our cultural and biblical values at a time when there is international pressure on our nation to adopt pro-LGBTQ policies. His strict immigration policies, however, have created concerns among those with ties to the US, who are fearful that their family members might be deported. But others believe these policies may combat jihadists and are hopeful this pressure will extend to Nigeria and other African regions. The cuts to USAID, meanwhile, have caused many Christian employees to lose their jobs or suffer salary reductions.
Bangladesh
Philip Adhikary, chairman, National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh
Trump’s presidency has had a positive impact on Christians in Bangladesh, as he has consistently emphasized the importance of religious freedom worldwide, encouraging Bangladesh to take greater steps toward acknowledging and respecting minority communities.
In April, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and several national Christian leaders (including me) met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to express the WCC’s support of Bangladesh’s interim government. The meeting affirmed the increasingly positive environment for Christians in Bangladesh.
Although Trump initially placed a 37 percent reciprocal tariff on Bangladesh in early April, he then granted a 90-day pause after Yunus appealed to the US president. This provided economic relief for Bangladesh’s garment industry, where many Christians are employed.
Nepal
Sher Bahadur A. C., general secretary, National Churches Fellowship of Nepal
At first, many Nepalese Christians were excited about Trump’s presidency, hoping he would support Christians worldwide. His election felt like a hopeful moment. However, his strict immigration policies, especially the deportation of undocumented people, created fear and disappointment even among those who weren’t directly affected.
His harsh handling of international issues, like the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, caused many to feel that he only cared about America, not the global Christian community. Nepalese churches began praying for him to lead with wisdom and compassion. Some believe he should reflect Christ’s love more clearly in his leadership.
While people still respect him as a Christian, they feel he hasn’t spoken up for suffering Christians in countries like Nepal.
Sri Lanka
Noel Abelasan, national director, Every Home Crusade
Evangelicals in Sri Lanka are grateful for Trump’s bold stand on matters of faith and religious freedom. However, we are troubled by some recent policy decisions, particularly the imposition of new tariffs that directly affect the garment industry in Sri Lanka. These tariffs risk increasing unemployment among thousands of vulnerable women who depend on this industry for survival.
Despite being misunderstood or even ridiculed by some nonevangelical segments of the church, we continue to honor and thank God for President Trump’s leadership, especially his interest in protecting Christian values globally. At the same time, we appeal to the president and his advisers to consider the real impact of his policies on developing nations and to act with justice, mercy, and compassion—values at the heart of the gospel that he has often defended.
Russia
Vitaly Vlasenko, general secretary, Russian Evangelical Alliance
In terms of domestic policy, Russian Christians look positively on Trump’s decision to change the US’s gender policy and his desire to ban transgender people from the army. We also appreciate his attention to religious freedom issues, including appointing a former Southern Baptist pastor as ambassador-at-large and addressing anti-Christian bias in the State Department.
But we especially note his resumption of bilateral dialogue with Russia, which we hope will lead to a reduction of international tension and resolution of the military conflict in Ukraine. We pray that it will end soon. Trump commands significant power, but only God can unite people. What is impossible for people is possible with God.
Reporting by Angela Lu Fulton, Franco Iacomini, and Jayson Casper.
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