SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (October 30, 2025) – The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) continued its 14th General Assembly yesterday, with member alliances agreeing to pursue greater collaboration toward the shared goal of proclaiming the Gospel worldwide.
During Wednesday’s WEA Business Meeting, representatives from 98 member evangelical alliances were present and elected a new International Council (IC). They also voted to amend the WEA’s by-laws, which will allow for greater executive participation alongside the existing governance roles of the nine Regional General Secretaries.
This amendment is a significant first step toward strengthening the collective voice and participation of member alliances, enhancing membership involvement in shaping the global evangelical witness through 2033.
A journey of renewal and realignment
The meeting reflected the WEA’s journey of renewal, reform, and realignment over the past three years, which has weathered organizational challenges. Dr. Goodwill Shana, outgoing Executive Chair and Interim Secretary General, acknowledged the journey: “Mission without unity is fragile, and witness without fellowship is incomplete.”
The organization faced whistleblower allegations (cleared by an IC inquiry commission) and navigated the unexpected mid-term departure of its Secretary General. Yet these trials catalyzed greater resilience and essential reforms, with Dr. Shana establishing a strategic realignment in organizational focus and communication platforms to provide direction and stability as the WEA moves forward.
Samuel Chiang, Deputy Secretary General for Ministries and GA2025 Director, reported: “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.”
Historic Unity Breakthrough
A defining moment this year is the proposed formation of the Korean Evangelical Alliance (KEA), formerly known as the Korean Evangelical Fellowship (KEF). Dr. Shana recognized Dr. John Oh (SaRang Church), Dr. Younghoun Lee (Yoido Full Gospel Church), and Dr. Barnabas Moon (Korean Evangelical Fellowship) for achieving this historic unity together, which also made the Seoul Assembly possible.
“This positions Korea as a catalytic hub for gospel proclamation across Asia’s unreached nations,” Dr. Shana noted, emphasizing the strategic importance for evangelism in the region.
Alliance Membership Growth and Participation
Deputy Secretary General Dr. Peirong Lin celebrated unprecedented growth, noting that there are now 163 national alliance members across 61 countries, along with 27 new alliances formed since the last Assembly.
Over the past two years, significant efforts have been made to enhance understanding of these alliances through experience sharing, prayer meetings, and facilitated peer learning, with examples drawn from Pakistan and Lesotho. Since 2021, 22 affiliate members have also joined the WEA.
Dr. Lin stated, “As a unity movement, it is my privilege to be part of a dream to bring people together from all around the world.”
The assembly saw strong engagement from its members as delegates elected representatives to the International Council from nine regions on Wednesday, followed by the election of two additional representatives on Thursday, October 30th. After a proposal from the Regional General Secretaries, the members approved a constitutional amendment. Additionally, they agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of the constitution in response to a proposal from the Spanish Evangelical Alliance.
Strategic Advancement Despite Constraints
Treasurer David Guretzki emphasized that WEA’s work relies on national alliance fees, individual donors, foundations, and contributions from dozens of organizations globally. Despite financial limitations, the organization advanced four strategic pillars: strengthening National Alliances, maintaining UN advocacy, enhancing partnerships, and improving organizational systems.
Looking Toward 2033
The appointment of Advocate Botrus Mansour as Secretary General for 2025-2030, along with the newly established International Council, represents a significant institutional renewal as the WEA navigates the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, global volatility, shifting demographics to evangelicals in the Global South, and rising religious intolerance.
Chiang shared, “We’ve created an Office of the Future to capture and incubate innovative opportunities, then distribute them when regions are ready. 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’re learning to serve our national alliances more effectively.
Chiang also highlighted that the General Assembly 2025 launches Gospel-Shaped Disciple-Making 2033 (GSD2033), the decade-long journey toward the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection, equipping believers worldwide to embody the Gospel in every sphere of life.
Dr. Shana concluded with vision: “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.”
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