In 1846, 800 church leaders met in London,England, to create what is now called the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). Church leaders from the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America decided that denominational barriers needed to be removed, born out of a profound longing for fellowship. This was a time following William Wilberforce’s influence in breaking government policy on slavery in the UK. Yet issues of slavery continued, matched by widespread child labor and, in Eastern Europe,the persecution of Christians. In that world, this Spirit-birthed movement was indeed historic.
Nurtured on Jesus’ prayer (see John 17), those gathered agreed that His prayer – that we be one – was powerful enough to create bridges of fellowship and friendship. This grouping signaled to the world that there were Christians who believed the Bible to be true and were prepared to respond to the call of Jesus to go into all the world. 178 years later, this global network has national alliances in 143 countries.
Our commitment to unity is not just about fellowship but also about advocacy for the global church. We are deeply engaged in supporting persecuted Christians, advocating for justice, and addressing the needs of the vulnerable. Our unity in Christ drives us to stand together,ensuring that every believer, no matter their circumstance, experiences the love and support of the global church. Through the work of our national alliances, we provide a platform for the persecuted to be heard and offer practical support where it is most needed.
This year, our advocacy efforts have been particularly focused on significant issues. On April 8, we submitted a joint report with Peace Corea and the Korea Evangelical Fellowship (KEF) to the Human Rights Council ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, scheduled for November 2024. Our submission highlighted the cases of three South Korean Christians who were abducted and detained by North Korean authorities. Furthermore, the WEA Global Advocacy department is working to understand the complex dynamics of religious change and identity at the intersection of politics and religion in West Africa.Leveraging our global network, we are addressing these challenges from both top-down and bottom-up approaches, engaging state actors as well as multi-faith religious coalitions.
As we celebrate this milestone, we ask for your prayers, especially for the pastors and leaders who are at the forefront of this work. Please pray for:
Korean Pastors: Pray for their endurance and faithfulness as they navigate the challenges of leading their congregations in a rapidly changing society.
Algerian Pastors: Pray for their protection and courage as they face increasing persecution and pressure in their ministry.
West African Leaders: Pray for wisdom and discernment as they address the intersection of religion and politics in their communities.
Thank you for standing with us as we continue to work for the unity of the global church and advocate for those who need our support the most.
In Christ,
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