by Guest Author | 16 Mar , 2019 | Christchurch March 2019, FOCUS, WEA
New York, NY – March 16, 2019
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) joins its national member body the New Zealand Christian Network (NZCN) in strongly condemning the tragic attacks on Muslims in two Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The NZCN “has expressed horror and great sadness about the violent attacks today on Muslim people and mosques in Christchurch.” Dr. Stuart Lange, a spokesperson of the NZCN called the attack “utterly appalling” and said it “will be deplored by all New Zealand people of all faiths or none.” The network urges people to pray for all the families and communities which will be deeply affected, and to offer them support in every way possible.
Bp. Efraim Tendero, Secretary General and CEO of the WEA, said: “With this terrorist attacks at Christchurch, we are once again reminded of the intertwined and deadly nature of prejudice and extremism, how it seeks to destroy and sow enmity among peace-loving people and communities. As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we condemn such violence and state in the clearest terms that there is no justification whatsoever to commit such a heinous crime against people of any faith or no faith.”
“We mourn with the families of those who have lost loved ones in this tragic attack and pray for God to give comfort and healing to them as well as the community. As we all seek accountability and justice for all the victims of this tragedy, we are convinced that in crucial times such as this we need to all the more demonstrate the best in humanity by not repaying evil with evil, but by overcoming evil with good. (Romans 12:21)”
“As a global family of evangelical Christians – a diverse family that includes people of all complexions, ethnicities, languages, cultures and social standings – we are committed to upholding that according to the Bible, God has created each human being in His image, which gives eternal value to each individual life,” Bp. Tendero added, and said: “It is our hope and prayer that rather than dividing the community with hatred, this tragic event will bring the community together in condemning such hatred and that they would reach out to each other across any social or cultural barriers to extend comfort and support at this time.”
The attack came on the same day that the WEA presented an oral statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that denounces nationalism. Furthermore, as part of its effort to build bridges of respect and understanding between people of different faiths and no faith, the WEA has also been engaged in dialogue with Muslims for many years. A recent example is Bp. Tendero’s participation in the Global Conference on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi last month.
Related:
> NZ Christian Network and the tragic attacks on Muslim people and mosques in Christchurch – March 15, 2019
> WEA Joins its National Member Body in the United States in Condemning White Supremacy – August 19, 2017
by NZ Christian Network | 8 Feb , 2019 | Media Releases, WEA
Media Release
New York, NY – February 5, 2019
WEA Secretary General Says “Forced Religious Belief Is No Belief at All” at Global Conference on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi
New York, NY – February 5, 2019
Secretary-General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), Bp Efraim Tendero, participated in the Global Conference on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the invitation of the Emirates-based Muslim Council of Elders. In his presentation to the conference, he spoke of the “powerful contribution to global peace” that Christians could make as those who are called by Jesus Christ to be peacebuilders.
The Conference held on February 3-4, 2019, was attended by several hundred religious and thought leaders from different faith groups. It was organized by the Muslim Council of Elders led by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb.
The location of the UAE is significant because of its relative tolerance of other religions in a region that is otherwise mostly not welcoming to Christians and others of non-Muslim faith. With high percentages of foreign workers, many of whom belong to one of the Christian traditions, the UAE allows the building of churches and holding of worship services. It is hoped that inter-faith dialogues such as the Conference on Human Fraternity would contribute to deeper mutual understanding between leaders of different faiths that might also lead to more tolerance and acceptance within the different societies.
“Before becoming Secretary General of the WEA, I led the evangelical alliance in the Philippines for 22 years. In that role, I was deeply involved in building peace between Christians and Muslims,” Bp Tendero shared, after greeting the conference on behalf of the world’s 600 million evangelicals. “What we did in the Philippines can happen elsewhere.”
He then illustrated three reasons why Christians are to seek peace by conviction, saying “being followers of Jesus, we are called to obey his teachings about loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves. This love is unselfish and sacrificial; it compels us to serve others above ourselves.”
“Secondly, followers of Jesus subscribe to the teaching of the Bible, which says that God created humankind in his own image. Although that image of God has been marred by sin, it has not been eradicated. We still bear the image of God. Therefore, the Bible places a very high premium on the value of every human being.” And thirdly, he added that “the Christian Scriptures command us to be peacebuilders. As Romans 14:19 says, ‘Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.’”
As a specific example from his own context, Bp Tendero shared that “one of the previous presidents of the Philippines had a policy of all-out war against the Muslim rebels. Under his rule, the military used its full force to capture the rebel camps, destroying the homes of many civilians in the process. In response, the evangelical churches raised funds and mobilized volunteers to rebuild the homes and even the local mosque. The Muslim sultan welcomed the evangelicals and declared their area to be a zone of peace.”
“These are actions that a Christian or Muslim community anywhere in the world could take without compromising their faith in any way. When we build bridges through such acts of kindness, any existing misunderstanding or hatred quickly disappears,” he added.
Bp Tendero concluded by offering three simple practices that – when implemented – would naturally lead to more respect towards and acceptance of people who hold different faith to one’s own by “active listening”, “empathic understanding” and “intentional collaboration”, adding that “there is enormous opportunity for global impact if we stand together in support of mutual respect and peaceful dialogue.”
In relation to religious conversion, a particularly critical and sensitive issue when it comes to believers of different faiths living together, Bp Tendero weighed in: ”At earlier points in history, Christians have sometimes taken harder stances toward people who abandoned the Christian faith, but we have come to realize that forced religious belief is no belief at all.”
by NZ Christian Network | 6 Dec , 2018 | Media Releases, WEA
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:
Rights over Might: The United Nations, Religious Freedom and Our Role and Responsibility
What does WEA’s Geneva Liaison Office do?
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:
- Malaysia: Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Safety of the Christian Minority, addressing the use of the word “Allah” by Christians, the wellbeing and safety of all religious workers, and rising hostility against Christians
- Bhutan: Freedom of Religion or Belief, addresses ongoing criminalization of religious “coercion or inducement,” the registration of religious organizations and discrimination against Christians
- Central African Republic: Action in Support of National Reconciliation and Respect for Human Rights, submitted jointly with a host of partners, in French
- Sri Lanka: Persistence of Religiously Motivated Violence, Intimidation, and Discrimination, submitted jointly with the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
- 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
- Sudan: Ongoing Imprisonment and Intimidation of Church Leaders, Confiscation and Destruction of Church Property, submitted jointly with Middle East Concern, and addressing recent demolition of church properties, unlawful confiscation and sale of church properties, and the arrest and harassment of church leaders
Visit their website for additional reports and written submissions to United Nations mechanisms.
Delivering oral statements at the Human Rights Council
In addition to reports and written submissions, the WEA delivers oral updates at the regular sessions of the Human Rights Council.
The following are some of the recent oral statements that are also available on WEA’s YouTube channel:
Watch additional videos of WEA interventions at the Human Rights Council.
by NZ Christian Network | 9 Nov , 2018 | Media Releases, WEA
New York, NY – November 8, 2018
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.”
Timothy K. Goropevsek
Chief Communications Officer
by NZ Christian Network | 29 Oct , 2018 | Media Releases, WEA
Calls for Prayer for Affected Families
New York, NY – October 28, 2018
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.
Timothy K. Goropevsek
WEA Chief Communications Officer
by NZ Christian Network | 12 Apr , 2018 | Media Releases, WEA
New York, NY – April 11, 2018
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.
