Riley Barnes, the U.S. Assistant secretary of state for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, traveled to Madaba, Jordan, on 17 October 2026. The visit served as part of a formal delegation review concerning the current status of Evangelical Christians residing within Jordan and Jerusalem. Officials scheduled the trip to examine local conditions and engage with regional stakeholders regarding the protection of religious communities. Barnes conducted meetings throughout the city to assess the environment for these groups. This diplomatic mission reflects ongoing interest from the United States in the regional standing of various denominations. The delegation intends to use these findings to evaluate policies affecting the religious landscape in both Jordan and Jerusalem.
Evangelical Community Status in Jordan
Jordanian evangelical communities currently encompass approximately 10,000 members who attend religious services across 57 locations throughout the country. These congregations have sought greater autonomy in managing their internal affairs as their presence has expanded. Specifically, Jordanian evangelical leaders have requested the establishment of their own ecclesiastical court to handle personal status issues, including matters of divorce, inheritance, and adoptions.
The growth and activities of these groups have drawn varying reactions from established denominations within the country. The Rev. Romanos Samawi, an Orthodox priest, stated: "Some of these groups engage in proselytizing activities that reflect poorly on the Christian community in Jordan, a community that maintains excellent relations with others and is an integral part of the nation’s social fabric."
Members of the U.S. Delegation also traveled to Jerusalem on 17 October 2026 to engage with local stakeholders regarding the broader religious environment. During this visit, the delegation met with Palestinian Christians to discuss the challenges facing their community. The Rev. Jack Sara, president of Bethlehem Bible College, described the nature of these discussions following the meeting. "It was clear that the group is interested in changing how the U.S. engages with the Palestinian Authority and in providing assistance to people who are attacked by settlers," The Rev. Jack Sara said. "They were also very keen to hear about the insults and mistreatment faced by Christians in Jerusalem, as well as the instances where attempts have been made to attack churches."
