The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) continues to hold its 14th General Assembly in Seoul, with delegates from around the world participating to promote greater collaboration towards the shared goal of proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world.

During Wednesday's working meeting, representatives from 98 member Evangelical Alliances elected a new International Council.

They also voted to amend the WEA's by-laws, in order to have a greater executive participation, in addition to the existing governance roles of the nine Regional General Secretaries.

According to the WEA, “this amendment is a significant first step in strengthening the collective voice and participation of member alliances, increasing their involvement in shaping the global evangelical witness towards 2033”.

A long journey to renewal

The entity has faced organisational challenges lately, such as whistleblower allegations (cleared by an IC inquiry commission) and the unexpected mid-term departure of its Secretary General, but this meeting “reflects the WEA's journey of renewal, reform and realignment over the last three years”.

“Mission without unity is fragile, and witness without fellowship is incomplete”, stressed outgoing Executive Chair and Interim Secretary General, Goodwill Shana.

For Samuel Chiang, Deputy Secretary General for Ministries and GA2025 Director, “the road from renewal to assembly has been costly and complex, but it has prepared WEA for its most significant opportunity in decades: to proclaim [the Gospel] with unity and conviction”.

Alliance membership growth and participation

The WEA now has 163 national alliance members across 61 countries, along with 27 new alliances formed since the last Assembly.

“As a unity movement, it is my privilege to be part of a dream to bring people together from all around the world”, said Deputy Secretary General Peirong Lin.

Nine regional representatives to the International Council were elected on Wednesday, followed by the election of two additional representatives on Thursday, 30 October.

Furthermore, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance proposed opening a one-year review period for the statutes, with active participation from national alliances. The new national secretary expressed his full support for this proposal.

In an interview with Evangelical Focus prior to the assembly, Xesús Manuel Suárez, secretary general of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, already pointed out that the WEA “must return to decentralisation of government, checks and balances, frequent renewal of positions, frequent and detailed accountability, reduction of the distance between governing bodies and those they represent, etc.”

Towards 2033

Treasurer David Guretzki explained that WEA's work relies on national alliance fees, individual donors, foundations, and contributions from dozens of organizations globally.

But, despite financial limitations, the organization plans to focus on four strategic pillars: “Strengthening national alliances, maintaining UN advocacy, enhancing partnerships, and improving organizational systems”.

One of the new initiatives is the creation of an Office of the Future “to capture and incubate innovative opportunities, then distribute them when regions are ready”, said Chiang.

“When the Global Pastoral Training Alliance concept came to us, we incubated it virtually until Africa identified their urgent need for better pastoral training. This matching of innovation with regional readiness exemplifies how we are learning to serve our national alliances more effectively”, he added.

Moreover, the General Assembly 2025 has also launched the Gospel-Shaped Disciple-Making 2033 (GSD2033), a “decade-long journey toward the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection, equipping believers worldwide to embody the Gospel in every sphere of life”.

“The WEA is a dream that will not die and under the new International Council and Secretary General, it is a dream that will go to new heights and go from strength to strength as 2033 and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ beckons”, concluded Shana.