The International Interfaith Conference, held under the title “The Rise of Spiritual Diplomats,” underscored the role of faith-based diplomacy in promoting unity, justice, and peace, on January 22, 2026, at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Organized in partnership with Spiritual Diplomats and the ALLATRA International Public Movement, the day-long conference brought together faith leaders from across the world, highlighting their constructive role in addressing global crises.

Addressing the gathering, Spiritual Advisor to President Donald Trump and Chairman of Spiritual Diplomats, Pastor Mark Burns, emphasized the responsibility of faith leaders in fostering peace. “I just believe that we are truly the answer to ending true wars in this world that bring world peace,” he said, adding that participants’ “voice matters.”

Pastor Burns noted that faith leaders do not carry “weapons,” but carry “wisdom.” Stressing that spiritual diplomats care about “people,” he stated, “I don’t care what your faith is. I know that regardless of what you believe, we stand in unity on peace and love. We are the advocates to speak for the voices.”

He said faith leaders had gathered in the nation’s capital to send a clear message to the world: “We would not be silent. We would not be moved by the divisions of the world. But we will stand for the voices. We will stand for those that need an advocate. We will work together to let the whole world know that there are more of us who desire peace in this world than those that desire power.”

In his address, Pastor Burns challenged attendees to take active roles as spiritual diplomats, asking, Are you a spiritual diplomat? Are you willing to go to the leaders of the world? Are you willing to bring a ceasefire in conflict zones around the world? Are you willing to go to the front lines? Are you willing to speak to those on the local level, the state level, the national level, or the international level? Are you willing to be an advocate for those that need your voice?

“Regardless of your faith, you are a global leader. Your voice matters,” he said, urging dignitaries from around the world to bring faith and public life together in unprecedented ways.

He further stated, “We formulate an army of spiritual diplomats that will go behind the scenes, that will speak to the kings of the world, reminding them why they have the power that’s been given to them by the people.” He added that while leaders may be powerful or wealthy, that power should be used to uplift the underserved and support those in need.

“We are the true representation of human life and human dignity,” Pastor Burns said, emphasizing that true spiritual diplomacy involves reaching out across faith traditions, including Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, to affirm that “we are united in peace and in unity and in love.”

He concluded by encouraging participants to return to their communities with what he described as a “mental charge” to speak to the “kings” and “leaders” of their societies and remind them that spiritual diplomats “will be the voice of moral compass in their lives.”

“Let’s bring peace to the world. Let’s end the conflicts of the world. There’s so much more than we want to be doing together,” he added.

President of the ALLATRA International Public Movement, Maryna Ovtsynova, also addressed the conference, stating, “We are right now in the middle of creating a great change in this world,” while expressing gratitude to participants from across the globe. 

She noted that the conference was made possible through “meaningful cooperation” between Pastor Burns, his Global Initiative, Spiritual Diplomats, and the ALLATRA International Public Movement.

Providing background on the organization, Ovtsynova said, “This is an international volunteer-based alliance of scientists, experts and professionals from more than 180 countries dedicated to studying climate, geodynamics, and environmental risks,” adding “We strive to advocate scientific awareness, promote multilateral cooperation and addressing global existential challenges, and of course, protecting human rights and religious freedom as their fundamental freedoms.”

She said the movement is “firmly convinced” that spiritual diplomacy can help shape a world that is safe, prosperous, and just, where human life comes first. According to Ovtsynova, spiritual diplomacy represents a “real opportunity” for humanity to overcome current global crises.

A video presentation during the conference explained the concept of spiritual diplomacy, noting, “When most people think of diplomacy, they picture negotiators in suits, moving between governments to strike deals.” It added, “Spiritual diplomats operate differently. A spiritual diplomat is a faith leader who steps into spaces where politics, treaties and traditional negotiations have failed.”

The video emphasized that spiritual diplomats do not carry “weapons or political power,” but instead bring “wisdom, moral authority and a commitment” to peace rooted in faith. According to the presentation, the movement focuses on advancing “peace, protecting religious freedom and defending human dignity across nations and faith traditions.”

These leaders were described as representing the “conscience of humanity,” including pastors, priests, imams, rabbis, and other faith voices who work together beyond political divisions to foster “dialog and reconciliation.”

At the conference Elizaveta Khromova, a distinguished geophysicist presented her book titled “Pastor Mark Burns: The Man Who Restored My Faith” to Pastor Burns. 

The book, according to the introduction, chronicles the transformative journey of Khromova, whose life took an “unexpected turn amidst geopolitical turbulence.” 

The conference addressed topics such as religious persecution and the protection of human rights, child protection, and spiritual diplomacy in action, focusing on ethics, faith, and global harmony. Several international faith leaders and US lawmakers also addressed the gathering. President of Creative Society, Olga Schmidt, served as the emcee for the event.

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