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Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano has been appointed by President Trump to the position of United States Ambassador to Slovakia. He is scheduled to appear before Congress this week. He has been meeting with both Democratic and Republican senators and will be testifying to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday to secure their vote to approve his nomination to be the next ambassador to the Slovak Republic.\n<\/p>\n
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I first learned of Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano during the tyrannical COVID-19 lockdowns. During that time, Senator Mastriano began a movement called \u201cWalk As Free People.\u201d This is a grassroots movement focused on the restoration of liberties and the defense of constitutional rights. He shone a light on the tyranny we were under during the lockdowns and sought to empower people to stand up for their rights and liberties, as guaranteed under the Constitutions of Pennsylvania and the United States of America.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWalk As Free People\u201d is rooted in Scripture, including John 8:36: \u201cSo if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.\u201d Senator Mastriano is an Intercessors for America Legislative Champion, leading in godliness and righteousness. He has appeared on several IFA webcasts and has spoken at IFA events.\n<\/p>\n
If you have ever had the privilege of hearing him speak, you have heard a brilliant historian impart precious pearls of knowledge, tying them to our biblical roots in Pennsylvania. He often connects the ideas of freedom to the founding of Pennsylvania by William Penn. He reminds us all that Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written.\n<\/p>\n
As part of an IFA Gatekeepers Conference in August 2024, Senator Mastriano led one of the most moving and profound tours of the Gettysburg battlefields of which I had the blessing of being a part. He went far beyond the general tour information and shared in-depth history, as well as how powerfully God moved in and through the people and events of that tragic, yet miraculous, time. Many tears were shed as he shared powerful stories of God moving upon the people of that era and during that grueling battle. Much intercession was made, and many prayers were lifted up over that sacred ground, inspired by the profound things shared that day.\n<\/p>\n
He is, in my humble opinion, one of the strongest and most prolific pro-life legislators, among many other worthy causes. He is bold in the face of adversity and attack. He has consistently stood up when others backed down.\n<\/p>\n
Led by his strong convictions to stand for truth and righteousness, Senator Mastriano ran for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2022. He won the Republican primary in May 2022 but lost to Josh Shapiro in November of that same year. A vicious campaign was waged against him because of his strong and unapologetic pro-life stance.\n<\/p>\n
The left-wing media twisted, as they so regularly do, the principles of the pro-life position upon which he stands. Some of the most insidious claims were that women would not receive life-saving medical intervention in the event of an ectopic pregnancy or other life-threatening pregnancy-related situations. These claims seemed to spread like cancer across the state, despite the truth being abundantly clear and obvious.\n<\/p>\n
Senator Mastriano has an extensive and decorated military career. He is an honorably retired Colonel, a combat veteran, and the son of a career U.S. Navy serviceman. He is also an Eagle Scout and came from a working-class background. His humble beginnings are reflected in his work as a paperboy, janitor, security guard, short-order cook, pizza delivery driver, and dishwasher before he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army in 1986.\n<\/p>\n
His military career began behind the Iron Curtain with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany, where he patrolled the borders of East Germany and Czechoslovakia during the final years of the Cold War. Especially influential in shaping his commitment to freedom and transatlantic security were his firsthand experiences witnessing the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the reunification of Germany.\n<\/p>\n
He was deployed to the Middle East for Operation Desert Storm in 1991 following the invasion of Kuwait. His regiment spearheaded the attack against Saddam Hussein\u2019s elite Republican Guard forces during one of the largest armored battles of the modern era.\n<\/p>\n
During his thirty-year military career, Mastriano spent twelve years overseas, ten of them in Europe. He also served in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division, and U.S. Army Europe. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, he was the lead planner for the northern invasion of Iraq through T\u00fcrkiye. He later helped build and coordinate the multinational coalition for Operation Iraqi Freedom while working extensively in Poland, the United Kingdom, and Germany.\n<\/p>\n
Mastriano served in NATO assignments involving multinational intelligence coordination, operational planning, and alliance-level strategic assessments from 2005 to 2009. He participated in NATO exercises and planning efforts in Germany, T\u00fcrkiye, Italy, and Poland, including work with the United Kingdom Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), NATO Rapid Deployable Corps\u2013Northeast in Szczecin, Poland, NATO training facilities in T\u00fcrkiye, and NATO commands in Italy during that time.\n<\/p>\n
In addition, Mastriano served as Director of NATO\u2019s Joint Intelligence Center in Afghanistan. There, he led an eighty-person multinational intelligence organization representing eighteen allied nations. He also led seven humanitarian relief operations supporting Afghan orphanages during his deployments.\n<\/p>\n
He served as Senior Intelligence Officer (G2) at NATO Allied Land Component Command Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, where he worked closely with allied military leadership on strategic assessments involving Russia, Eastern Europe, alliance readiness, and multinational operational planning from 2008 to 2009.\n<\/p>\n
The Chief of Staff of the United States Army assigned Mastriano in 2015 and 2016 to lead strategic research and planning efforts examining Russian military strategy and NATO\u2019s deterrence posture in Northern and Eastern Europe. The focus of his work was shaping allied landpower options, Baltic defense planning, forward deterrence strategy, and NATO\u2019s operational response following Russia\u2019s seizure of Crimea.\n<\/p>\n
During that same period, Mastriano served as senior facilitator for six NATO STEADFAST exercises in the Baltics. These exercises involved allied military leadership, defense officials, and multinational operational staffs focused on collective defense, regional readiness, and the protection of NATO\u2019s eastern flank against escalating Russian military aggression.\n<\/p>\n
Throughout his military career, Mastriano regularly briefed and worked alongside senior allied civilian and military leaders, including ministers, parliamentarians, NATO generals, and regional defense officials, regarding Baltic security, NATO readiness, Russian strategy, and Eastern European defense posture.\n<\/p>\n
Mastriano completed his military career as a Professor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There, he taught Strategic Studies at the master\u2019s degree level to the next generation of senior leaders. In 2017, he retired from active duty as a Colonel following thirty years of service.\n<\/p>\n
Mastriano holds the prestigious degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History, as well as four master\u2019s degrees in Strategic Studies, Strategic Intelligence, Military Operational Art and Science, and Airpower Theory. He has published numerous strategic studies, articles, and books on military history and leadership.\n<\/p>\n
Always an honorable man and a righteous fighter, he led the Sergeant York Discovery Expedition, an effort to locate the site where America\u2019s greatest World War I hero, Sergeant Alvin York, earned the Medal of Honor. Mastriano directed the construction of a commemorative trail, monuments, and markers in the Argonne Forest of France. He received four awards for his acclaimed biography, Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne<\/em>. Additionally, he authored Thunder in the Argonne<\/em> and co-edited Pershing\u2019s Lieutenants<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n Mastriano was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 33rd District, in 2019. This district includes all of Adams and Franklin Counties. Since taking office, he has advanced legislation supporting veterans, first responders, public safety, and community-strengthening initiatives.\n<\/p>\n Doug is married to Rebecca \u201cRebbie\u201d Stewart. Rebbie\u2019s family settled in Pennsylvania in 1732. Rebecca previously served as a chaplain with Marketplace Ministries at Martin\u2019s Famous Pastry Shoppe. They have one son, Josiah. Josiah is a graduate of Liberty University, an Eagle Scout, a Canadian Chief Scout, a recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh\u2019s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, and a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania National Guard.\n<\/p>\n Both Doug Mastriano and Josiah Mastriano appeared in the movie Operation Resist<\/em>. Josiah played the role of Nazi Fritz, while Doug Mastriano portrayed Captain Peter Ortiz, a World War II spy. Doug also served as the stunt and fight coordinator for the film.\n<\/p>\n Senator Mastriano was also featured in the documentary film The Return of the American Patriot: The Rise of Pennsylvania<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n As Ambassador to Slovakia, Mastriano will serve as the chief diplomatic representative of the United States, acting as the primary channel of communication between the United States and the Slovak Republic.\n<\/p>\n His duties as ambassador also include advancing U.S. policy, strengthening alliances, reporting to Washington, exercising Chief of Mission authority, overseeing security, promoting trade and investment, supporting energy and security initiatives, conducting public outreach, and overseeing consular services.\n<\/p>\n We thank God for this incredible, decorated, and honored servant, whose faithful dedication to this nation has been demonstrated through his extensive and distinguished military career, as well as his service as a Pennsylvania State Senator. As a Pennsylvanian, I am truly proud and honored to have had such a powerful man of God standing boldly for truth and righteousness, fighting on the front lines both militarily and legislatively. He has never backed down, even in the most difficult of circumstances.\n<\/p>\n It is with sadness that we will see him leave the Pennsylvania State Senate, but with pride that he was chosen by President Trump to take on this honored role as Ambassador to Slovakia. The Lord has a good plan; of this, I am sure.\n<\/p>\n Please pray Psalm 91 over Doug and Rebbie, that they would dwell under the shelter of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Pray that the Senate confirmation proceeds unhindered, and pray for protection, strength, and peace throughout the process and beyond. Please pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in and through them wherever they go, and that their steps are ordered by the Lord. Pray that every act of obedience by Doug and Rebbie is met with blessings beyond measure. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for these two anointed and appointed servants. Pray that the person who fills the Pennsylvania Senate seat will follow in Senator Mastriano\u2019s footsteps and continue the valiant work he has begun. We ask all of this in Jesus\u2019 mighty name. Amen.\n<\/p>\n April Walker loves God and seeks to serve Him in all she does. She is a proud mom of a 20-year old son, a PA State Co-leader for IFA, a former School Board Director, an organizer for NDOP and ASHP events, a GOP Committee member for Carbon County, an Occupational Therapist, and a vocalist. She feels that writing for and working with IFA brings all her passions together. Photo Credit: Mark Makela\/Getty Images.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano has been appointed by President Trump to the position of United States Ambassador to Slovakia. He is scheduled to appear before Congress this week. He has been meeting with both Democratic and Republican senators and will be testifying to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday to secure their vote<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30489,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[6551,5123,235,10141],"class_list":["post-30488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-prayer","tag-doug","tag-intel","tag-intercessors","tag-mastriano"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30488"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30488\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Share your prayers for Senator Mastriano in the comments below.<\/h4>\n