WEA

WASHINGTON – Days away from the Capitol rally to stop the genocide in Darfur, the head of the World Evangelical Alliance is speaking out in support of efforts to end the genocide that has resulted in the displacement of 2.5 million people.

WEA International Director Geoff Tunnicliffe is among the speakers at the “SAVE DARFUR: Rally to Stop Genocide” this Sunday at the National Mall. Tens of thousands of concerned citizens are expected to join in the rally at the Capitol to urge the U.S. government to “end violence, build the peace, and Save Darfur NOW.”

“The Bible makes it very clear; we must take a stand with those who are voiceless and powerless,” said Tunnicliffe in a statement released by WEA on Monday. “Today we stand with the Darfur people and speak out loudly against the outrageous atrocities to which they are being subjected.” more >>

The World Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission for 2006 will be held in Africa for the first time this year, featuring events including mini-consultation and opportunities for networking, fellowship and ministry with theologians, churches, missions and other bodies in the area.

The annual planning and strategy meeting of the WEA TC 2006 will take place Sept. 20-24 on the campus of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School in Kenya under the consultation theme of “Theological Perspectives on Global Religious Fundamentalism.” In addition, “Poverty and Social Responsibility” will also be an agenda during the event.

The fall TC meeting will be the first opportunity for those interested in the Commission’s newly expanded membership scheme to participate. The new scheme, which was announced at the beginning of the year, allows for three new categories – Affiliates, Associates, and Partners. more >>

Top international figures from the World Evangelical Alliance are meeting in San Francisco this week to hammer out its vision and identify key points of engagement for the future.

The Mar. 20-22 Regional Secretaries meeting is the latest in a series of international conferences aimed at strengthening and refocusing the voice of the 160-year-old alliance, which underwent massive structural and leadership changes since its last general secretary prematurely stepped down from office in early 2005.

Despite the rocky circumstances, the WEA made great leaps in the last year through the selection of a new international director and the establishment of a revised leadership structure. more >>

World Evangelical leaders joined their Pentecostal counterparts to welcome better relations with members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on Monday. The drive for a greater co-operation in the future came as WCC members gathered for their 9th Assembly currently taking place Feb. 14-23 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The Rev Geoff Tunnicliffe, the International Director and CEO of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), reported that the WEA “parallel network” of 400 million Christians identified with many of the WCC’s themes, such as HIV/AIDS, violence and poverty.

In particular, Tunnicliffe said that Evangelicals, many of which exist within WCC churches, were dedicated to integral mission, the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. more >>

Churches should move aggressively to engage in the battle against HIV/AIDS, with societal institutions becoming alert to the unique role Christians can play in the effort, said top leaders of the World Evangelical Alliance on World Aids Day.

“On this day we are acknowledging that this pandemic is having a growing and significant impact on our regions,” said Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of the WEA, on Thursday at the International Council meeting that took place Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 in Germany. He called on local churches to form strategic alliances to engage, embrace and respond with compassion to those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Ndaba Mazabane, chairman of the International Council at the WEA, meanwhile called for the African church, together with Christians around the world, to stand together with the infected and the affected while challenging civil society and governments to do the same. more >>

Seeking to expand the unity of Evangelicals worldwide, top leaders from the WEA decided to extend the tenure of WEA International Director Geoff Tunnicliffe for an additional three years. Tunnicliffe is now slated to serve in until 2010.

The World Evangelical Alliance's board of representatives, known as the International Council, met from Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 in Bad Blankenburg, Germany, where they made the decision. At the German Evangelical Alliance retreat center, the board members also set their eyes on a great expansion of the Alliance by creating strategic links with other Christian evangelical organizations.

“The extension of Geoff’s appointment as the International Director for the next five years is a significant move, which we hope will continue the momentum that has been building in the World Evangelical Alliance,” said Ndaba Mazabane, chairman of the International Council, in a press statement. more >>