Churches, Denominations and Religions: [News Update] Migration and Ministry Event; GO Movement; Stories of Ukrainian Refugees; WEA and UN Leaders Discuss Global Crises; and More News.

Friday, May 20, 2022

[News Update] Migration and Ministry Event; GO Movement; Stories of Ukrainian Refugees; WEA and UN Leaders Discuss Global Crises; and More News.

Invitation to Panel Discussion:

"Migration and Ministry: Biblical Perspectives on Moving Forward Together" by WEA Migration & Refugee Network on June 17, 2022

There is no one evangelical perspective on immigration. Human movements (forced and voluntary) are on the rise, and Christians and the church are increasingly divided in their response. The WEA Migration and Refugee Network (MRN) will convene an online conversation to share collective learnings and perspectives on ministry with diasporic people groups, on June 17^th, ahead of World Refugee Day and World Refugee Sunday.

Join the GO MOVEMENT!

A Song of Mourning: Stories of Ukrainian Refugees by WEA Global Ambassador Brian Stiller

"We sat with mothers and children waiting in homes and refugee centers, as they wondered if they would ever see their husbands and fathers again. They so wanted to return to their home and friends, even while silently brooding over what they feel is a brutal betrayal by their fellow Slavs (and in many cases extended families) to the east. The cloud of evil hung over the greatest of optimists. The flagrant abuse of territorial integrity and personal well-being has turned this part of the world upside down."

WEA Secretary General Discusses Current Global Crises with UN Head, Commits to Increased Engagement on Issues of Common Concern

WEA Secretary General Bishop Dr Thomas Schirrmacher led a delegation of WEA leaders in a recent meeting with United Nations Secretary General Mr António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. They discussed some of the ongoing and newly emerging crises in the world, including the war in Ukraine and the ensuing refugee crisis, issues surrounding freedom of religion and belief as well as the environment.

European Evangelical Alliance Expresses Strong Statement Against Antisemitism

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) issued a public statement of support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel. The statement was read by EEA President Dr. Frank Hinkelmann (Austria) and Vice President Connie Duarte (Portugal), the designated new Secretary General of the EEA.

WEA and IJCIC Hold Historic First Meeting in Jerusalem on Jewish-Evangelical Relations

The gathering brought together two delegations that reflected the diversity of both communities. The purpose of this first face-to-face meeting included several sessions of Christian and Jewish leaders sharing personal stories, reflections and perspectives followed by open discussions, with the aim to increase the mutual understanding between the two faith communities and identifying issues of common concern.

Swiss Evangelical Alliance’s 175th Anniversary Celebration Highlights Impact of Evangelical Alliances Throughout Their History

“175 Years for Unity” was the slogan for the anniversary celebration of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA) that was established in Geneva in 1847. It was one of the first national bodies that formed in the wake of the founding of the World Evangelical Alliance the year before in London. It followed the same purpose in its own national context: uniting evangelicals across different denominations, so they could pray together and work together in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and responding to the social issues of their time.

WEA Joins NCEASL in Expressing Concern about Crisis in Sri Lanka

“As the NCEASL, we are deeply concerned about our country's deteriorating economic and political situation. Our people are on the brink with food, fuel and essential medicines becoming increasingly scarce and unbearably expensive,” Mr Godfrey Yogarajah, NCEASL General Secretary and Chair of the Asia Evangelical Alliance commented. “Daily, protests are breaking out against the government. Just this week, a young person died, and several others were injured when police used live ammunition to crackdown on a protest.”

WEA Publishes First Issue of Revista Evangélica de Teología, Newly Launched Theological Journal in Spanish

"We felt that publishing a theological journal in Spanish would provide valuable material to Christian educators, pastors, and leaders throughout the Spanish-speaking world," Messmer stated, "as well as more fully recognizing their value as part of the global Christian community."

The Covid Pandemic and Our Children’s Future: A Panel Discussion of the Long-term Effects of Covid on Children and the Role of the Church

On April 13, 2022, an expert panel from a diverse group of international organizations discussed the long-term impact of the Covid pandemic on children. This document covers key points made by the speakers. This is a summary of key statements and not a transcript. You are encouraged to view the complete recording to hear the complete discussion and learn the various observations, lessons, and recommendations from our panel.

WEA Urges Greece to Change the Legislation Prohibiting Proselytism

The WEA office in Geneva participated in the presentation of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Greece. WEA Advocacy Officer Wissam al-Saliby started his statement at the UN Council‘s 49th session on 23 March thanking “the government of Greece for engaging in the Universal Periodic Review”.

How We Can Prevent War Crimes by Dr. Johannes Reimer

In March 2022, unable to subdue the Ukrainian city of Kyiv, frustrated Russian soldiers withdrew from the suburb of Bucha. They left behind them perhaps the most horrible atrocity Europe has seen since World War II–streets lined with the dead bodies of innocent civilians. Could a suitably trained group of chaplains have prevented this tragedy from occurring?

“The Dream That Would Not Die” – WEA Pays Tribute to Its Former International Director David Howard

The WEA pays tribute to Mr. David Morris Howard who served as WEA International Director from 1982 to 1992. The author of “The Dream that Would Not Die: The Birth and Growth of the World Evangelical Fellowship 1846–1986”, Howard personified the spirit of the WEA as someone who never gave up on striving to live according to Jesus’ prayer in John 17: that the followers of Christ may be one, so that the world may believe in him. He went to be with the Lord whom he served all his life on Tuesday, May 10 in Fort Myers, FL.