A delegation of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) visited South Korea last week in order to continue the preparations of the 13th WEA General Assembly (GA), to be held in Seoul October 18-27, 2014. Meetings were held with the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), two government ministers, and several denominational leaders, all of whom warmly welcome the WEA GA and guaranteed their full support.
CCK, WEA’s national member body in South Korea, has selected core members of the Hosting Committee who will be crucial in facilitating the preparation and the hosting of the General Assembly. WEA’s delegation held several meetings with them, discussing the scope of the gathering, the preparation process, and future meetings of the preparation team.
“I continue to be impressed by the serious commitment of the Korean leaders as they prepare for our General Assembly,” says Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General of the WEA. “We deeply value their partnership, generosity and vision.”
The WEA delegation included Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General; Gordon Showell-Rogers and Dr. Wilf Gasser, Associate Secretaries General; Rev. Ndaba Mazabane and John Langlois of the International Council; Dr. Brian Stiller, WEA Global Ambassador; Dr. Aileen Van Ginkel, Program Director for the GA 2014; Dr. Rob Brynjolfson, Director of WEA’s Leadership Institute; Christopher Chou and Timothy Goropevsek, leaders of the administration and communications teams.
On Wednesday, November 14, Dr. Tunnicliffe, Rev. Mazabane, and Mr. Langlois met with the Minister of Unification whose responsibility is South Korea’s relationship with North Korea. The following day, the same delegation including Dr. Stiller met with the Minister of Culture and Tourism. Both Ministers are very favorable to WEA’s General Assembly and pledged their support.
On three evenings, the leadership of CCK organized banquets with leaders of various denominations, allowing for opportunities to introduce WEA and the purpose of the GA more deeply. At one of the banquets, Rev. Yong Gi Cho a greatly respected spiritual leader in Korea spoke and said: “We are all disciples who follow Jesus. The Word of God is fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and the message of the Bible cannot be compromised. I believe the WEA General Assembly in Seoul will guide the future direction of the Korean Church and the worldwide Church and will help purify churches of rampant secularism and materialism.”
Dr. Van Ginkel who leads WEA’s preparation for the GA says: “As possible program themes continue to emerge in conversations with the WEA constituency around the world, the CCK seemed especially pleased with the emerging emphasis on revitalizing evangelicals’ engagement with the Bible. We very much look forward to working with them.”
WEA leaders (right side) meet with CCK leaders (left side) to discuss the preparations for the WEA General Assembly in 2014.
Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe (left), Secretary General of the WEA, meets with the Minster of Unification.
Third Welcome Banquet where WEA leaders could meet with denominational leaders.
In the front row is Dr. Tunncliffe (middle) next to Rev. Hong, president of CCK (4th from left).
Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe (right) talks to Rev. Yong Gi Cho during a Welcome Banquet.
Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe preaching at Rev. Hong's Church on Sunday November 18 which is Thanksgiving Day in Korea.
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