Celebrating 180 years since the founding of the World Evangelical Alliance
Pick up your mat and walk
Mark 2:1-12 (opens in new tab)
In Mark 2:1–12, we read the story of four friends bringing a paralysed man to Jesus.
We see their willingness to be creative and to persevere through difficulties.
Unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, they climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and lowered their friend down before Him. Their determination to overcome every obstacle demonstrated the depth of their faith and love.
There were likely others involved as well—perhaps people helping to steady the mat or clear space below. All of this took place despite the possibility of resistance from the crowd, who may have been frustrated as dust and debris fell from the roof.
Only Jesus can truly heal
It was this unwavering faith in Jesus' saving power, combined with their love for their friend, that moved these men to action. Yet when Jesus met the man, His first words were not about physical healing, but about forgiveness: "Son, your sins are forgiven." Healing is holistic. Before restoring his body, Jesus reconciled him to God.Only Jesus can truly heal. It was this unwavering faith in Jesus' saving power, combined with their love for their friend, that moved these men to action. Yet when Jesus met the man, His first words were not about physical healing, but about forgiveness: "Son, your sins are forgiven." Healing is holistic. Before restoring his body, Jesus reconciled him to God.
The mat no longer had power over him.
Reconciliation to Jesus enables the weak to be strong. In the Bible, the mat symbolises a person's weakness, helplessness, and brokenness. When Jesus tells the man to pick up his mat, it signifies that his weakness no longer has power over him. His restoration is both spiritual and physical.Reconciliation to Jesus enables the weak to be strong. In the Bible, the mat symbolises a person's weakness, helplessness, and brokenness. When Jesus tells the man to pick up his mat, it signifies that his weakness no longer has power over him. His restoration is both spiritual and physical.
Today, there are still countless people who need the saving power of the Gospel.
180 years of shared witness
Evangelicals around the world recognise this brokenness. Over the years, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has brought together evangelicals across the globe for Gospel transformation, strengthening its joint witness in sharing the hope of Christ.
Join us
As we celebrate 180 years of the WEA, we invite you to join us as we work together to bring people to Jesus, so that every person may experience His saving grace and, in a very real sense, be able to pick up their mat and walk.
23rd September: Join us online for prayer, celebration and commitment
Date: Wednesday 23rd September, 2026
Times (two options to choose from): 10.00am UTC (view your local time here) and 19.00pm UTC (view your local time here)
Details: Details will be confirmed nearer the time. Please register your interest below.
27th September: Join us around the world for WEA Day
Date: Sunday 27th September, 2026
Did you know?
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