| Three communications stewards at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, became on-the-spot reporters, asking their fellow stewards some questions about their experiences at the meeting of the WCC convening body, and about how they see their wider role in the ecumenical movement. |
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 | | 19 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Stewards together with WCC programme executive for youth Abigayle Bolado gather for a photo at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC |
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The three communications stewards are: Bupe Henry Kibiki, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania; Chiyamiko Chibwana from St Peters Anglican Parish in Zambia; and Peter Ndi from the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. Below are excerpts from the interviews—and heart-to-heart conversations—that stewards have had with one another. |
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 | 18 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Stewards joining the communications team pictured at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Left to right: Chiyamiko Chibwana of St Peters Anglican Parish (left), Bupe Kibiki of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (centre), Peter Ndi of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (right).
Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
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Kibiki: What would you say to inspire other young people to become stewards?
Dimitra-Lydia Werner, Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland: You will be absolutely out of your head and be glad to be so. Meeting all those different people and learning about their beliefs will be incredibly inspiring. You will suddenly gain a new understanding of community. It will change how you see yourself and the world forever. That’s what being a steward is all about.
Rev. Elijah D. Lasite-Dixon, Church of the Province of West Africa: I didn't expect to have the opportunity to meet with all my fellow stewards and collaborate to achieve our goals. The work of ecumenism is vital; despite our cultural and denominational differences, we have come together as one for the body of Christ. This experience was particularly meaningful to me as a steward because being in such an environment allows us to mix and learn from one another. |
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 | | 20 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Edwin Ahwireng of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (left), Brenda Mah Chick of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (mid-left), Dimitra-Lydia Werner of the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (mid-right) and Amanda Ljung of the Uniting Church in Sweden (right) undertake a dramatic reenactment of stories inspired by the events at the Council of Nicaea 1700 years ago, offered during a Pilgrimage Encounter with Apostolic Faith Today, held at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC |
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Chibwana: Why would someone be a steward?
Harley Stapleton-Brister, Congregational Federation (UK): I would say if you want to know the importance of global ecumenism, then becoming a steward is for you! It helped me to feel that I myself can be part of the ecumenical movement. I feel empowered by my experience. Brenda Mah Chick, Presbyterian Church in Cameroon: Being a steward means stepping up to lead through service and courage—your voice and actions matter now more than ever. |
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 | | 21 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Central Committee steward Peter Ndi of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon collects cards onto which people have written down words of prayer and personal commitment, during a Pilgrimage Encounter with Creation – including the launch of an Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action – at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC |
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Ndi: How has this experience changed how you sees your role as a young ecumenical leader? Chick: This experience profoundly reshaped my understanding of what it means to be a young ecumenical leader. Previously, I viewed leadership primarily as representing my own faith tradition. Through this journey, however, I came to see that true ecumenical leadership involves much more—it is about actively building bridges between diverse Christian communities. Ana Veaila, Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga: Becoming a WCC steward is a life-changing opportunity to serve, learn, and grow alongside young Christians from around the world. It deepens your faith, broadens your perspective, and connects you to the global body of Christ. If you're passionate about making a difference in the church and the world, this is your moment to step forward. |
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 | | 21 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Stewards perform a dramatic enactment of environmental destruction, and restoration – revolving around a central tree embodied by Ana Veaila of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga – during a Pilgrimage Encounter with Creation, held at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC |
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