The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) in collaboration with several of its global partners participated in the preparation for the United Nations’ (UN) World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) by submitting a comprehensive paper on ‘the unique and essential role of the evangelical community in humanitarian response and development.’
Titled ‘A Call to Commitment and Partnership – A World Evangelical Alliance Brief on the Evangelical Community and Humanitarian Development’, it explains who evangelicals are, why they engage in humanitarian work, and how they work: from the global level of associations, networks and international Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to the grassroots level of local churches.
“We welcome the opportunity that the World Humanitarian Summit provides to faith-based organizations to participate in a meaningful conversation on how to better respond to the ever increasing humanitarian needs around the world,” said Bp Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA.
“Representing a diverse constituency of some 600 million evangelicals in 129 countries, the WEA’s paper reflects both, our wide experience of serving those in need and our ethos of intentionally and consistently living out our faith in unconditional service.”
Research has long shown that people and communities turn to faith in times of humanitarian crises to make meaning and find hope, the report says, adding that new studies have also begun to bring light to the important role faith-based organizations provide in humanitarian contexts. This role is based upon a theology of Christian faith that models itself on the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love our neighbor. In the humanitarian context, love is expressed through timely, lifesaving action in service to all in need without discrimination.
The evangelical community is committed to participating as an active partner in humanitarian response and development, recognizing that in a diverse world we will act alongside other faith and non-faith groups, and do so with respect and humility.
The paper that was prepared in collaboration with Micah Global, the Humanitarian Disaster Institute of Wheaton College, Food for the Hungry, and Tearfund UK, also calls on the UN to improve the acceptance/understanding among the international community of the unique value of faith based organizations, and thereby more deeply engage the faith communities in humanitarian and development response.
It features contemporary and historical illustrations of how evangelical organizations, churches and individuals have responded to calamities, such as the Ebola crisis in West Africa or the floods in Mozambique. But it also addresses ‘misperceptions and proper criticisms of the evangelical community around gender discrimination and proselytizing,’ calling upon the evangelical community to ‘work together toward addressing these issues.’
“As we worked on this paper and gathered the insights from participants around the table, we were reminded again of our call to serve a suffering world in the name of Christ. The paper can be read as a devotional, a call, a challenge to respond to those in need,” said Commissioner Christine MacMillan, WEA’s Director of Public Engagement and one of the authors of the paper. “As WEA, we encourage churches, Christian organizations, and individuals to use this paper for reflection on our ethos and our values as we seek to live out our faith in God’s so loved world.” For more information on the World Humanitarian Summit, visit: Worldhumanitariansummit.org
Tuesday 11th August saw Christian leaders from Auckland and beyond attend the event ‘Christian Women Connecting for Global Impact’ at AUT. They met to share their stories and hear from Amanda Jackson about the experiences of women around the world. In her role as Executive Director of the Womens Commission, World Evangelical Alliance, Amanda sees firsthand the challenges faced by women across many nations as they seek to understand and live out their lives as women of faith.
The evening was also the launch of Women as One, the NZ and South Pacific Women’s Commission, recently established under the umbrella of the NZCN. The Commission has a vision to provide a platform to Connect, Equip and provide an opportunity to hear the Voices of Christian Women in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Leaders Janet Tuck and Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau shared their hopes and aspirations for the Commission. They see a real opportunity to connect Christian women across New Zealand and the Pacific region from different denominations and ethnic backgrounds.
Attendees shared their stories in relation to four key words: Leadership, Opportunity, Woman and Church. The journey has been hard for some, with the stories quite ‘gritty’ and honest. However the evening was one of real warmth and connection. There was a lot of laughter, and some new friendships established. The few brave men who attended were provided with women’s wigs in order to ‘blend in’ more easily. Glyn Carpenter sporting a long white wig almost looked the part!
Feedback from the night has been very positive, with several telling of a sense of God calling them to be there, and a real excitement about what might come next.
Special thanks go to:
Agnes Naera and Chantelle Lincoln from AUT for the wonderful hospitality and opportunity to run this event as part of their diversity week
Amanda Jackson for visiting and inspiring us with her vision for women around the globe, and to husband Lewis for his wit and wisdom
The wonderful women who attended the evening and participated so honestly and graciously
To our God who continues to inspire, equip, empower and guide us on our journeys
We look forward to the NZ & South Pacific Women’s Commission “ Women as One” developing a range of activities and opportunities for engagement. Watch this space.
Welcome to our first Women’s Commission update in the new format to mark our new name and new ideas.
Amanda Jackson
I am the new Executive Director of the Women’s Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, and it will be a privilege to learn about your initiatives and encourage you in leadership over the coming years.
We are entering a new and exciting phase of the Commission’s work and I look forward to seeing more women taking the lead in issues affecting women and girls in all regions and denominations.
I am grateful to God for the leadership of women in each region – Leela, Nabila, Jenifer, Joanna, Janet and Rachel, and Yoon Hee. And I am also thrilled that we have the help of Angie Francois in the New York office of the WEA.
Today, we would like to share a story from Egypt and hope that it will inspire you. As well, we have news of an upcoming event against violence in the Caribbean – Please Pray, Learn and Take action.
Education and prayerful action can overcome violence
Three hundred young women and girls in Egypt heard about their rights and the love of God at meetings last week organized by the Women’s Commission.
Dr Nabila Nakhla who led the team in the city of Maghagha, two hours from Cairo is sure the Holy Spirit helped the girls to understand for the first time issues of gender inequality and to know their true worth in God.
She says, “This area has a high incidence of sexual violence. At least 10 of the girls said they were being molested by Moslem lads, who had promised marriage. They feel very guilty and fearful – there is a real fear they could be killed if their father or brother finds out.”
It’s estimated that 14,000 men and boys are trafficked in the Caribbean region each year – that’s 40 a day. A conference in Barbados for men and boys this week (June 24-27) will raise awareness of this terrible threat. Organised by the Caribbean Anti-Trafficking task force, the meeting will try to overcome misconceptions about trafficking and look for solutions.
Jenifer Johnson, head of the Women’s Commission in the Caribbean, who is hosting the meeting, says, “The Caribbean region has seen a sudden influx of guns and violent crimes across the region, associated with the drug trade and trafficking. We want to offer a better way.”
Marq Taylor from Atlanta, which is a hub for trafficked people in the the USA, will speak of his city’s experiences, at a schools’ event and events for youth and men. Many may think that trafficking affects only women but the meeting aims to draw attention to the danger of trafficking for men and boys. Read More
With prayers that your ministry and leadership can be strengthened and grown,
International Council Appoints Bishop Efraim Tendero as Next Secretary General / CEO of the WEA
New York, NY – January 23, 2015
The International Council (IC) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is pleased to announce that it has, by unanimous vote, appointed Bishop Efraim Tendero as the next Secretary General and CEO of the WEA. Bishop Tendero who currently serves as the National Director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
Bishop Efraim (Ef) Tendero
“We acknowledged from the onset and throughout the search process that we needed God’s wisdom and the Spirit’s guidance in making this significant and strategic appointment. We are not only pleased, but confident that Efraim is the right person to take WEA into the future which promises to be great,” said Rev. Ndaba Mazabane, Chairman of the IC and Acting Secretary-General/CEO of the WEA. “His understanding of our global vision and his experience as a national Alliance leader will certainly help him connect with our constituency for greater global impact.”
Bishop Tendero succeeds Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe who announced early last year that he would not be seeking a third term after leading the WEA for the past ten years.
Upon his appointment, Bishop Tendero said: “I am humbled by the trust that is given to me to be the leader of Evangelicals around the world. This is an enormous task and I put my whole trust and confidence in the Almighty God who called me into this ministry, believing that He will provide the wisdom, favor, and grace needed in carrying out this solemn responsibility.”
Bishop Tendero will begin his five year tenure on March 1, 2015.
“I urge you all to uphold him and his family in your prayers and support him in every possible way as he makes this leadership transition and prepares for the task ahead,” concluded Rev. Mazabane.
About Bishop Tendero:
Bishop Efraim Tendero, widely known as Bishop Ef, has served as National Director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) for more than 20 years. PCEC is WEA’s national Alliance member that represents some 30,000 evangelical churches in the Philippines. He is also President of the Philippine Relief and Development Services (PHILRADS), the relief and development arm of PCEC that works hand in hand with local churches in holistic ministries to serve the poor and needy.
Bishop Tendero also serves as International Facilitator for South East Asia of the Asia Evangelical Alliance and is the chair of the board Back to the Bible Broadcast, Evangelism Explosion (EE) 3 Philippines, Global Filipino Movement, and the Philippine Missions Association. He is also the Executive Editor of Evangelicals Today, the longest running Christian magazine in the Philippines.
Bishop Tendero has a BA in Theology from Febias College of Bible and a Master of Divinity with focus on pastoral counselling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He received two honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Asian Theological Seminary and Febias College of Bible, and a Doctor of Leadership degree from International Graduate School of Leadership. Bishop Tendero and his wife Sierry have four children and two grandchildren.
Last week I got back from the WEA ILF (World Evangelical Alliance International Leadership Forum) in Manila. This is the annual meeting for the people representing the 7 WEA regions, the 20 Commissions, Initiatives, and Task Forces, and the WEA Executive.
Glyn Carpenter from NZ/South Pacific meeting with fellow Secretaries General of Africa and Europe
I am invited as a representative from the South Pacific region, which is a great privilege not only because I get to discuss issues with representatives from Europe, Africa, and the other regions, but because I also get the opportunity to spend quality time with the people who head up WEA’s work in areas such as theology, religious liberty, and human trafficking, and in some cases who represent evangelical Christians in forums at the United Nations.
There was a little more pressure than usual on this year’s agenda because the 6-yearly General Assembly is taking place in Korea in October next year, and as you would expect, there was plenty to discuss and finalise about programme, content, structure, invitations, registration details, potential visa issues, political sensitivities, and so on.
More than 6,000 evangelical Christians from the 7 regions and 129 countries that make up the WEA are expected to gather, to worship, be resourced, and strategise about effective mission in a wide range of topics.
Amazing to arrive in a hotel where there is not only a Bible in the room but also a devotion book plus a prayer request sheet from hotel management.
Although like most people attending, I didn’t get to see much more than the insides of the airport and hotel and the road that connects them, we did get something of the local context when the PCEC (Philippines Council of Evangelical Christians) joined us one evening for dinner and to share about their work in the Philippines.
Bishop Efraim Tendero has been chairing the PCEC for over 20 years and shared on the recent Disaster Management conference held in Manila which will feature also at the GA 2014. The Philippines, with a landmass similar to NZ, but a population of 104 million compared to our 4 million, is known by many as the disaster capital of the world. Around 20 typhoons hit the country each year, in addition to earthquakes (such as the 7.2 magnitude quake in Bohol that killed 215 people just 4 days before I arrived). and other types of disaster.
Other useful discussions with people like Christine MacMillan (human trafficking), Joel Edwards (Micah Challenge), Brian O’Connell (Refugee Highway), Chris Elisara (Creation Care), Bertil Ekstrom (Missions Commission), Godfrey Yogarajah (Religious Liberty Commission), Mats Tunehag (Business as Mission), Eileen Stewart-Rhude (Women’s Commission), Rosalee Velloso Ewell (theology), and Sas Conradie (Generosity Network), as well as country/region focused meetings with the WEA Executive, will be filtered through to specific groups over coming weeks.
One small resource you might be interested in is the PCEC’s use of Bill Bright’s 7 pillars of society (see below). This is their prayer. Let’s make it our prayer too.
Glyn
7 Spheres of the Philippine Society Let us pray that these spheres of our society will come to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him in accordance to His perfect will. (2 Peter 3:9) 1. Arts & Sciences – Let us pray that this pillar of our society will display the glory and majesty of our Creator. (Ecclesiastes 2:4) 2. Business – Let us pray that the business people will remember God, who gives them the ability to produce wealth. (Deut. 8:18) 3. Church – Pray that the Church will be faithful to obey her mandate for the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) 4. Daily News/Media – Let us pray that our media people will be honest and truthful in their reports and advocacies. 5. Education – Pray that this pillar of society will be passionate in carrying out the mandate of training and educating the children and our youth for the transformation of our nation. (Prov.22:6) 6. Family – Let us pray that that the blueprint of families as God had mandated be restored. (Ps. 68:5-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-4) 7. Government – Pray that the Executive, Judiciary, Legislative, Military, Regional, Local and Barangay units will recognize the lordship of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 29:2)
