Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Proverbs 31:8-9 (ISV)
Discrimination, restrictions on the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief, and religiously motivated violence are on the rise. These have become, and have always been, the norm in the life and witness of the Church in most parts of the world today.
Being a voice for over 600 million evangelicals, how is the WEA responding to the ever-increasing threats to religious liberty?
Inspired by Proverbs 31:8-9, the WEA Geneva Liaison Office began to actively engage the United Nations (UN) Human Rights mechanisms in 2012 in defence of human rights, and predominately, the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief. The office’s aim is to foster structural changes in countries where our national Evangelical Alliances work, to strengthen the rule of law, to advance the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief, and ultimately, to enable an environment for a more vibrant Christian witness.
Why is a UN presence important?
As surprising as it may seem, the WEA Geneva Liaison Office is the only evangelical representative body advocating for religious freedom on behalf of the more than 600 million evangelicals at the UN in Geneva! And regularly, States that persecute or discriminate against religious minorities have to defend their human rights record at the UN’s Human Rights Council. By relaying the voices of national Evangelical Alliances, the WEA has a unique contribution to bring to the conversation.
In a recent article, Wissam al-Saliby reflected on what evangelical engagement with the UN means when it comes to advocacy for religious freedom, and explained more in detail how WEA’s voice can be of influence in this unique context:
The main tool available is to submit reports to various Geneva-based UN Human Rights mechanisms including the regular Human Rights Council sessions, the Universal Periodic Review, the Human Rights Committee and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. These reports would relay the information provided by WEA member Alliances.
The following are examples of reports submitted over the course of this year:
Bhutan: Freedom of Religion or Belief, addresses ongoing criminalization of religious “coercion or inducement,” the registration of religious organizations and discrimination against Christians
Algeria: Freedom of Religion or Belief (also available in French), submitted jointly with the Protestant Church of Algeria and other partners, and addressing namely Churches and Protestant institutions shut down by the government and the trials and arrests of Christian leaders since November 2017
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) expresses concerns over the current draft law put forward by Bulgaria’s parliament aiming at amending the Religious Denominations Act. If approved in its current form, it threatens to force evangelical churches and institutions to close or face unbearable and discriminatory administrative burdens.
The draft law which passed in first reading in parliament on October 11, 2018 has implications on the funding and financial management of religious communities as well as on the training and appointing of clergy. Should the law pass, existing theological seminaries are at risk of shutting down, evangelical church pastors may no longer be able to conduct worship services, and the acceptance and use of donations will be subject to government approval and limitations.
The WEA echoes the concerns of the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance (BEA), its national member body, and those of other religious communities in Bulgaria that this draft legislation is discriminatory. It puts unjustified and disproportionate restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief and is in direct violations of the democratic principles enshrined in Bulgaria’s constitution and in the legislation of the European Union, of which Bulgaria is a member since 2007.
Bp Efraim Tendero, WEA Secretary General & CEO, stated: “The proposed law legalizes state interference in the affairs of religious communities, which invariably comes at the expense of religious freedom. At a time when governments worldwide face the challenge of strengthening freedoms while maintaining security, we call on Bulgaria and other democratic countries to lead by example and to strengthen the right to religious freedom rather than to weaken it.”
In a recent statement commenting on the draft law, the BEA quoted the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), saying: “Pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness are hallmarks of a democratic society. Although individual interests must on occasion be subordinated to those of a group, democracy does not simply mean that the views of a majority must always prevail: a balance must be achieved which ensures the fair and proper treatment of people from minorities and avoids any abuse of a dominant position.”
The BEA questions the legality of the aims of the draft laws, as well as the proportionality of the suggested measures and their balance in light of the ECHR’s decision.
“Together with BEA, we call on the Bulgarian authorities to reconsider its draft legislation aimed at amending the Religious Denominations Act,” Bp Tendero said. “And we call on evangelicals worldwide to accompany our brothers and sisters in Bulgaria in prayer as they dialogue with their political leaders to identify the best path forward.”
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) expresses its sorrow over the tragic event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a gunman killed eleven worshippers in a Synagogue. Bp Efraim Tendero, Secretary General & CEO of WEA, issued the following statement:
We are deeply troubled by what has happened at the Tree of Life Synagogue this weekend and offer our heartfelt prayers of compassion and support for the families of those killed, for the local congregation and the Jewish community as a whole.
We call on believers around the world to specifically pray:
for the families, that those who lost loved ones will experience the peace from God;
for the leaders of Tree of Life and the Jewish community as they care for the suffering;
for the body of Christ to be united with all people of goodwill against hatred and violence;
that God may show mercy to all.
We are concerned about the increasingly polarized and hate-filled culture in many nations and regions of the world that not only marginalizes minorities but goes as far as encouraging violence against those they perceive to be different from themselves.
We believe that while we may at times disagree with people on matters of faith, opinion or tradition, every person is created by God and has inherent dignity that deserves respect.
Jesus called us to be peacemakers and in this spirit, we call on people of faith and any person of goodwill to not remain silent but speak out in opposition wherever and whenever hatred or violence is encouraged.
Rev Stuart Lange, NZCN Interim National Director, presented our oral submission to the Justice Select Committee on the End of Life Choice Bill on 21 May, 2018. Maxim Institute was also among the list of nine submitters in the afternoon session and shared the link to the video of the session.
I recommend watching the video simply to gain an appreciation of how citizens and organisations can participate in the shape of the laws that govern our nation. The afternoon session was 2h 45 min long but you can use the guide below to find specific submissions.
Simply click on the video to play it, then drag the slider to the desired start time. Time and name of group or person making their submission
6:50 Motor Neurone Disease Association of New Zealand
21:50 End of Life Choice NZ
51:30 Cordon Copeland
1:03:00 Centre for Science and Citizenship Trust 1:22:00 NZ Christian Network 1:38:30 Maxim Institute
1:56:00 Remote New Zealand Mission Project (teleconference)
2:09:20 Conservative Party NZ
2:20:20 New Zealand Human Rights Commission (Paula Tesoriero – NZ Disability Rights Commissioner)
The WEA is a global association of national and regional Evangelical alliances united in mission and uniquely positioned as a representative voice to advance evangelical values, address concerns and advocate for the marginalized throughout the world.
Larry Ross, president and founder of A. Larry Ross Communications, and the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute, have been named executive advisors to Bishop Ephraim Tendero, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
Ross is expected to advise “Bishop Ef,” as he is known, on behind-the-scenes diplomacy with U.N. ambassadors and their governments, as well as public interaction and engagement with the media on global issues. Schenck, the president of a Washington-based organization and minister to top elected and appointed officials in all branches of the federal government, will provide special insights into the people and issues in Washington D.C.
“Larry is uniquely qualified to provide counsel for us on public-relations matters because of his many years as media representative for many Christian leaders and organizations, such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and other international ministries,” said Tendero, who was named Secretary General in 2015. “As a minister to government officials and a champion of Christian values in Washington, Rob will be a trusted advisor as well. I personally feel very fortunate to be able to rely on their seasoned experience and expertise.”
A. Larry Ross Communications is a Dallas-based full-service public relations firm founded in 1994 to provide crossover media liaison at the intersection of faith and culture. In 2016, Ross served as Communications Director for Dr. Ben Carson and his presidential campaign.
Ross, whom Newsweek magazine headlined as “Point Man for God,” has more than 40 years of mainstream and Christian corporate, agency and non-profit experience influencing public opinion through strategic PR counsel to organizations and individuals. These include men and women on a mission for God or the common good, such as evangelist Billy Graham, for whom he served as personal media spokesperson for more than three decades; Dr. Rick Warren and Saddleback Church; Bishop T.D. Jakes; and many other national and international Christian leaders; and numerous theatrical film releases, such as “The Passion of The Christ.”
The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute is a non-profit dedicated to applying the theological and ethical insights of the World War II-era Protestant church leader, Third Reich-resister and moral philosopher to the social crises of our time. Faith and Action is America’s only Christian outreach to top-level government officials in Washington.
Schenck is a senior fellow of The Centre for the Study of Law and Public Policy at Oxford, where he studies and reports on international religious freedom. He is also the past pastoral advisor to the office of the Ambasssor-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Schenck is the subject of the Emmy-winning documentary, “The Armor of Light,” which examines Evangelicals and the gun culture, and the author of “Costly Grace,” due to be released by Harper Collins in June.
Former chair of The Evangelical Church Alliance, Schenck is also president of The National Clergy Council. As a sought-after cultural observer he is a frequent guest on national TV and radio shows regarding moral issues confronting our nation. He has met with two presidents, House and Senate leaders and Supreme Court justices.
As news of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham’s passing at 99 years of age spread through the world today, the Christian community said goodbye to the one who helped defined the Christian message of the past few decades, more than any other. Bp Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), noted: “No one has more defined the essence of evangelical faith than Dr. Graham. He was God’s gift and instrument to the growth and development of today’s evangelical movement.”
He reportedly preached face to face to some 100 million people in his many public meetings since the middle of the past century. He gave focus and definition to what it meant to be born again in Christ and to what He calls us to in giving witness to the love and message of Jesus.
Rev. Dr. Billy Graham (c) BGEA.org
During his time, Dr. Graham was the voice of evangelicals, a community of Christians that grew from 90 million in the early 1960s to 600 million today. During his global travels, his prophetic and pastoral presence were trusted. His clear biblical message and deeply regarded leadership gave evangelicals a voice, an identity and clear vision. Not only did his preaching reach into millions of people, but his vision and energy translated into the lives of generations of leaders.
Throughout his life, he also had a deep interest in the world of the WEA. In 1968, at a time when the WEA needed added impetus he stepped in and provided resources for the relaunch and internationalization of the work.
WEA leaders were heavily engaged in the Lausanne Congress in 1974, where Graham and John Stott called 2,500 church leaders together in Lausanne, Switzerland, and there reshaped the evangelical witness, calling Christians to move away from just seeing the Gospel as an inward work of grace but to view ministry and calling to the world in all its need. The Lausanne Covenant became a theological and missional backdrop against which ministry was carried out. A legacy of enormous importance.
The week after the Congress ended, Dr. Graham took time to attend the WEA General Assembly nearby at Chateau d’Oex. Throughout his long ministry he continued to give much encouragement to the WEA and each of the national alliances to ensure that the results of his evangelistic efforts would be shepherded into the church, which the WEA is devoted to work with.
Living for almost a century, he had said, “I’ll preach until there is no breath left in my body. I was called by God, and until God tells me to retire, I cannot. Whatever strength I have, whatever time God lets me have, is going to be dedicated to doing the work of an evangelist, as long as I live.”
His ministry befits one who has been cited as one of the most liked persons of his generation. Avoiding political affiliation, his ministry drew together Christians from all communities. His humility, an earmark of his life, not only enabled people of all sides to join in common witness, but the clarity of his message never wavered. His faithfulness to the cross of Christ, its centrality in life and death, was an invitation for millions to accept the payment of sin and to live a Christ-centered life.
Dr. Graham’s passing leaves a vacuum that inevitably will be filled as the Spirit raises up new leadership for these coming generations.
