Robert A. Seiple

Robert A. Seiple "is president and CEO of the Council for America's First Freedom. Prior to this position, he founded the Institute for Global Engagement and was the first U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Seiple spent 11 years as president of World Vision, Inc., the world’s largest privately funded relief and development agency. Seiple has also authored three books, the most recent being Ambassadors of Hope: How Christians can respond to the world’s toughest problems. He is the recipient of eight honorary degrees. Seiple chairs the Washington Coalition and co-chairs First Step Forum, two groups active in religious freedom issues. He is also chair of the Advisory Committee for the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Denver Seminary."

"Ambassador, global leader, educator, Bob Seiple has spent the last three decades fashioning humanitarian solutions that endure. His international travels have been as extensive as the experiences and contacts developed through years of global involvement. Vulnerable lives, lived out in difficult places, have provided the personal challenge for Seiple’s work.

"Prior to founding the Institute for Global Engagement, Seiple spent two years in the State Department as the first ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. This position, created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, was charged with promoting religious freedom worldwide, promoting reconciliation in those areas where conflict had been implemented along religious lines, and making sure that this issue was woven into the fabric of the U.S. foreign policy.

"Seiple spent 11 years as President of World Vision, Inc., the largest privately funded relief and development agency in the world. In that capacity, he increased the annual income base of the organization from $145 million to over $350 million per year. Additionally, Seiple guided the organization towards an expanded involvement in advocacy in the worldwide struggle against poverty and hunger. At his leaving, World Vision was administering help to more than 70 million beneficiaries in over 100 countries of the world.

"Seiple was born December 6, 1942 in the rural community of Harmony, New Jersey. He received an AB degree in American Literature from Brown University in 1965. From 1966-69, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps attaining the rank of Captain. He flew 300 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded five Battle Stars, the Navy Commendation Award with Combat ‘V,’ 28 Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. This experience motivated him to become an outspoken advocate for the healing of Vietnam’s relations with the United States.

"Returning to his alma mater in 1971, Seiple held a number of administrative positions, including Director of Athletics and Vice President for Development. In his last position during a twelve-year tenure, he successfully directed the Campaign for Brown, the largest fund-raising campaign ever attempted at the University at that time. Seiple was President of Eastern College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1983 to 1987.

"In 1994, Seiple was named, "Churchman of the Year" by Religious Heritage America. In 1996, he received World Relief's "Helping Hands" award. In 2004, he was awarded the "Good Samaritan Award" by Advocates International. He is the recipient of the National Award from First Freedom Center as well as the Religious Freedom Award from the International Religious Liberty Association, both received in 2005. That same year, Seiple also received the Brown University "Alumnus of the Year" given by the Ivy League Football Association. He is the recipient of eight honorary degrees as well as the Secretary of State's Distinguished Public Service Award.

"Since April 2006, Seiple has served as President of the Council for America's First Freedom in Richmond, Virginia. He is also chair of the Advisory Committee for the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. In 2005, he joined the Board of Trustees, Denver Seminary." 


 * Former member, US Commission on International Religious Freedom
 * Advisory Council, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy
 * Multi-Faith Advisory Board, Council on Faith and International Affairs
 * Supporter, Justice for Kennedy

His son is Chris Seiple.

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 * Council for National Policy