New York, NY, January 2026
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of John J. Girgis as Special Envoy to the Middle East and Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. In this role, John will continue his engagement with leaders and communities across the Middle East, drawing on his deep experience, longstanding relationships, and commitment to supporting the dignity and flourishing of Christians and all people in the region.
John previously served as the Permanent Representative of the World Evangelical Alliance to the United Nations in New York, where he played a central role in building the WEA’s presence and relationships within the UN system. His work included sustained diplomatic engagement, coalition building, and advocacy on issues impacting religious freedom, peace, and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.
Reflecting on his time with the WEA UN office and his new role, John shared:
“For the past five years, serving with the WEA at the UN in New York has been a tremendous privilege and a great blessing. Learning and practicing friendship diplomacy with so many gifted world leaders has been a joy and an honor. I look forward to working with Jason to introduce him to many trusted colleagues and to do my part to support a smooth and positive transition. I am also grateful for this new role, which allows me to continue building on foundations laid by the WEA UN team over many decades. I am especially excited to focus on the Middle East and North Africa, a region where I spent my early years and where I see significant potential for peace building.”
Kyle Wisdom, Ph.D., Director of Global Advocacy for the World Evangelical Alliance, expressed his appreciation for John’s continued service:
“The WEA is fortunate to have someone with John’s experience and background in this role. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the region, has an extensive network of relationships and contacts, and a personal passion for Christians in the Middle East to live with dignity and purpose. I am thankful he will continue to use his gifts for the sake of the church in this critical region.”
Jason Pope, Acting Permanent Representative of the World Evangelical Alliance to the United Nations in New York, also welcomed John’s new role:
“John has played a significant role in shaping the WEA’s presence at the United Nations in New York, and I am grateful for the experience and perspective he brings to this next season. I look forward to working closely with him as he continues to engage leaders across the Middle East and contributes to the broader work of the New York office.”
As Special Envoy to the Middle East, John will work in coordination with the WEA New York office to support diplomatic engagement, foster constructive relationships, and contribute to the Alliance’s broader advocacy efforts within the United Nations system.
The World Evangelical Alliance represents more than 650 million Evangelicals in over 161 countries and seeks to advance peace, human dignity, and human flourishing through faithful engagement at the global level.
For more information about the World Evangelical Alliance and its work at the United Nations, please visit www.worldea.org.
Stay Connected