The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) advocacy team at the United Nations called on its allies to represent Christ with courage, humility and hope in global policy-making forums during a panel discussion at the WEA General Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday morning.
The session, moderated by Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham, Director of WEA’s United Nations Office in Geneva, explored how evangelicals can bring the peace of Christ into international dialogue and policy-making. Panelists included Kyle Wisdom, WEA’s Director of Global Advocacy, Gaetan Roy, WEA’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and Jennifer Roemhild-Tunehag, Global Director of the World Freedom Network, which coordinates Christian responses to human trafficking.
A “loyal presence” in the halls of power
Buckingham began by defining advocacy in Biblical terms, drawing inspiration from the story of Queen Esther. “Despite her title, she had no real power,” she said. “But after praying and fasting, she chose to risk death and come before the king, and the king saved his people.”
She said WEA’s advocacy model reflects that courage and insight. “We are sometimes called to go to locations where we may be faced with hostility,” Buckingham said. “Our goal is not to criticize, but to engage with those who are suspicious or hostile to Christians. We want to be a faithful presence at the United Nations.”
She explained that advocacy is not about confrontation, but rather about building relationships. “If I can have dinner with people who disagree, I think that’s a success,” Buckingham said. “The key is conversation, not blame. Establishing trust allows you to have an honest conversation about problems and possible solutions.”
He noted that the WEA works with governments and institutions through processes such as the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which allows faith communities to submit recommendations on the human rights situation in their countries. “Every four and a half years, each country will undergo a review,” she says. “We can make the submission on your behalf, and we want to do it with you.”
Mr. Buckingham emphasized that WEA’s advocacy is collaborative. “We want to amplify your voices in places of power,” she said. “The most powerful advocacy happens when we unite our voices nationally, regionally and globally with the same message.”
Translating the gospel into policy language
Kyle Wisdom, director of global advocacy, said WEA’s mission is to express gospel truth and mercy in spaces where spiritual language is unfamiliar. “We take messages from families of faith to the halls of power,” he said. “A lot of our work is translation work, translating the words of the Gospel into the words of the United Nations.”
He pointed out that this requires adapting Christian terminology to international discussions. “We might use terms like ‘violation of religious freedom’ instead of ‘persecution,'” he said. “It’s the same problem, but written in a language that policymakers understand. Translation carries both risks and opportunities, and we rely on your input to ensure translations are accurate.”
Wisdom said WEA’s presence at the United Nations in New York will enable it to address issues such as global security, sustainable development, and the protection of women and children. “We host side events and panel discussions to elevate the voices of these smallest people,” he said. “We have hosted events around displaced persons, refugees and women’s causes, issues where faith-based perspectives bring real value to policy discussions.”
He added that WEA’s special consultative status with the United Nations provides unique access to global decision-making fora. “We want to use that access to serve evangelical families around the world,” he said. “It’s not about power, it’s about using influence for presence, for being a faithful witness for justice and peace.”
Rights advocacy rooted in compassion
Jennifer Roemhild Tunehag of the World Freedom Network highlighted how advocacy acts as a bridge between theology and justice, especially in the fight against human trafficking. “This is where theology needs to champion,” she said. “Only the state can identify victims of human trafficking. Without identification, there is no path to justice, no support, and no hope.”
She said an estimated 27 million people are involved in human trafficking worldwide, but less than 1 percent have been identified. “Not one in 100 people makes it home safely,” she says. “As God’s people, we must convey this concern to decision makers.”
Ms. Tunehag explained that WEA works with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women every year to advocate for better laws and stronger partnerships. “We remind leaders that God does not forget the vulnerable,” she said. “Evangelical Christians around the world are responding in strategic, connected and concrete ways.”
She said partnerships with advocacy teams and the World Freedom Network were essential. “Without advocacy, we could not pursue the purpose of freedom that God has entrusted to us,” she said. “It allows us to tell the stories of people who cannot tell their own stories to those in power.”
“Ambassador of Christ’s Hope”
In his final presentation, Gaetan Roy reflected on what it means to represent Christ in diplomacy. “To express the Gospel means to express Christ, to make Christ visible,” he said. “The idea of advocacy that many people advocate today is simply complaining. But complaining is not a hallmark of the kingdom of God.”
Roy outlined three ways Christians can embody the gospel in their advocacy efforts: through humility, hope, and love. “We serve by building meaningful relationships,” he said. “Once trust is established, you can begin to find mutually agreeable solutions. This takes time and patience. It’s not just days, it’s years.”
He added that WEA representatives strive to serve discreetly without seeking recognition. “If you want to be popular, either sell ice cream or become a soccer player,” Roy joked. “The only thing that should be popular in our work is Jesus Christ.”
Roy said the team’s mission is fueled by gratitude and trust in God’s sovereignty. “We come in not because we’re sure we can do it, but because we know God can do it,” he said. “Most people are ambassadors of despair. We want to be ambassadors of hope in Christ.”
The panel discussion concluded with small group discussions in which delegates considered how to integrate advocacy and gospel witnessing in their national contexts.
Buckingham said WEA’s advocacy work at the United Nations is not an isolated effort, but a partnership with the global evangelical movement. “We are in action with all of you, the global family of believers,” she said. “Together, we can bring the peace of Christ to the global policy arena.”
