From October 27 to 31, 2025, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) hosted its 14th General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, under the theme “The Gospel for Everyone by 2033.” This landmark event drew approximately 850 delegates from 124 nations, reflecting the global shift in evangelical Christianity toward the Global South and East.
Evangelicalism today is predominantly a movement of the Global South. Around 70% of all evangelicals live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. “Each new national alliance represents thousands of churches and millions of believers advancing the gospel in their respective contexts,” explained Dr. Brad Smith, interim director of WEA’s Alliance Engagement Department. “This growth demonstrates the vitality of evangelical witness across cultures and nations.”
Since the last assembly in Indonesia in 2019, the WEA family has grown significantly: 27 new national alliances have been added: the movement now represents 161 countries organized in nine regional alliances.
The call for more workers in the harvest field (Matthew 9:37-38) was heard through numerous testimonies from all over the world. The challenge is great, but so is the desire of all those who were present, to see every man, woman and child be given the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The GA was hosted by Sa Rang Church, and the WEA participated with over 5000 of their pastors and missionaries during the first two days of the GA. We were treated to cultural events, incredible displays of dance and music, contextualized preaching, and the Korea Church’s passion to live for and serve Jesus Christ. It was both inspiring and challenging.
Spending time in corporate worship with people from so many different tribes, peoples, nations, and languages (Rev 5:9 & 7:9) was special and uplifting. The importance of telling stories, learning about each other’s context – both the joys and the struggles – is an important endeavour as we strive to work together and support one another as believers in Jesus across the globe
As the WEA GA only occurs every six years the business section of our time together was also essential. Several decisions needed to be made at this year’s GA including the choosing of a new International Council, approval of the General secretary elect, working together to improve the working relationship of the WEA and its regions, and building better communication together.
The GA also provided the Assembly with up-to-date reports from the previous International Council, the Office of the Secretary General, as well as the results of the strategic and structural evaluations that had occurred over the last couple of years.
At the end of our business meeting the General Assembly had voted in 11 members of the new International Council. Of these 11 members, 9 of them were suggested by their regions and the other 2 members were chosen by the new IC itself to ensure that they have all the required competencies to oversee the WEA for the next 6 years. Several new members may also join the IC in the following months as the IC deems necessary.
The proposal brought forth by the Regional General Secretaries was approved and allows for a more balanced relationship between the General Secretary of the WEA and the Regional General Secretaries. This will also aid in communication, which was the concern of some of the National Alliance Leaders.
The General Assembly was also delighted at the approval of the new Secretary General, Advocate Botrus Mansour from Israel. This is the first time a General Secretary has come from the Middle East and Advocate Mansour comes highly recommended from his region and brings with him years of both church and alliance experience.
When we consider the vision, mission and aspiration of the World Evangelical Alliance,
Our Vision: Evangelicals united globally for Gospel transformation.
Our Mission: Fostering unity in Christ, strengthening identity, voice, and platform for Gospel witness and discipleship.
Our Aspiration: The fullness of life for every person. A healthy church for every people. An equipped leader for every congregation. The shalom of God for every nation.
it becomes apparent why meeting together is so important. Being united, collaborating and inspiring one another with models of good practice can be done through online meetings (as we learned during Covid) but even so, not as richly and deeply as when it is done in person. The GA allows us, as a family, to speak together, share together, cooperate and collaborate. We struggle through language barriers and cultural difference, which is, in the end, an important exercise for us all. Through it we are reminded of our Creator God who loves all nations, all peoples, all ethnicities and all languages. We are forced out of our comfort zones and into a place where we are dependent upon grace, patience, and love.
The GA 2025 is now over, but what was lived, experienced and learned will travel with us over the next six years as we continue to strive together to shine the light of Jesus all over the world, and to see the Gospel for everyone until 2033.
By Connie Main Duarte, EEA General Secretary
