| New York, NY – October 7, 2016
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) welcomes three new leaders to its Executive Team and announces further appointments to strengthen its peace and reconciliation as well as disaster response ministry work. The expansion comes in the context of WEA’s growth over the last years and recent structural adjustments aimed at increasing the leadership’s efficiency and effectiveness to serve a constituency of some 600 million evangelicals. Commenting on the appointments, Bp Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA, said: “The WEA has grown significantly over the last years and with these structural and organizational improvements we believe that the WEA will become even more effective in its service and prepared for further growth. I’m excited about all the excellent additions and new roles and grateful to be able to work together with such a strong leadership team, all of whom are experts in their fields.” The following appointments were made and are effective immediately:
Dr. Wilf Gasser who has served as Associate Secretary General since 2012 decided to leave his role at the WEA in light of the structural changes, as he felt that he would be able to better use his gifting in other contexts. He has contributed significantly to the strengthening and launching of new WEA networks and initiatives over the past year and will continue to serve within the wider WEA constituency as President of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance. Further appointments include:
The newly appointed leaders join the many others who continue to serve as part of WEA’s commissions, initiatives and task forces. “I very much look forward to working with all the existing and new leaders to accomplish WEA’s mission of advancing the Good News of Jesus Christ and effect personal and community transformation for the glory of God – with and through our constituency of regional and national Alliance around the world,” Bp Tendero said, and added: “Please pray for God’s special blessing onto those who have assumed new roles, as they begin to serve the WEA in their new capacity.” |
[Press Release] WEA Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints New Leaders to Prepare for Future Growth
Oct. 7, 2016
Rev. Godfrey Yogarajah was appointed as Associate Secretary General for Alliance Development with focus on working with WEA’s seven Regional General Secretaries on strengthening the 129 national Evangelical Alliances around the world, and establishing Alliances where they do not yet exist. Rev. Yogarajah brings more than 25 years of experience as General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance in Sri Lanka, also served as regional Alliance leader in Asia for several years and is currently heading up WEA’s Religious Liberty Commission. 
Mrs. Amanda Jackson was appointed as Associate Secretary General for Church in Community, a new department that includes evangelism & mission, training of pastors, women, youth, and global programs such as Bible engagement and intentional disciple-making. Mrs. Jackson has served as Executive Director of WEA’s Women’s Commission and previously served as Advocacy Director at Micah Challenge International, a global campaign that focused on the Millennium Development Goals. 
Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher was appointed as Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns, a newly formed department with focus on WEA’s intra-faith and inter-faith relations, religious freedom, and theological formation. Dr. Schirrmacher has served the WEA in various capacities for the last two decades, including in the areas of theology, religious liberty and human rights. 
Dr. David Boan was appointed as Director of Humanitarian Advocacy & Service. He has led the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and has been working with the WEA on disaster response for some time. The new role will provide him with more opportunities to serve regional and national Alliances in preparing for potential humanitarian crisis situations and mobilize their constituency in a coordinated response. 
Prof. Dr. Johannes Reimer was appointed as Director of Peace & Reconciliation. He has been working with the WEA as Commissioner for Peace & Reconciliation to Russia/Ukraine since 2014 and brings extensive experience in the field. Adapting Micah Global’s format of Teaching, Restoration, Assistance, Initiation, Networking, Dr. Reimer will equip regional and national Alliances in launching and strengthening peace building and reconciliation initiatives in their respective contexts.
Rev. David Ruiz was recently announced as the new Executive Director of WEA’s Mission Commission (MC). He succeeds Dr. Bertil Ekström who has served two full terms and has contributed immensely towards the growth of the MC. Based in Guatemala, Rev. Ruiz has served as Associate Director of the MC since 2006 and brings many years of experience serving in various mission organizations. 