The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly elected a new international council and Sri Lankan leader Godfrey Yogaraja as its chair during a business session held October 29-30 in Seoul, South Korea.
Mr Yogarajah, who has served within the WEA family for nearly 30 years, will succeed the outgoing Goodwill Shana Zimbabwe Executive Chairman. Mr. Shana has served two full terms on the Board of Directors, most recently serving as Chairman and Secretary General from April 2024 until the Seoul National Assembly.
Experienced leader elected as leader of International Council
A veteran evangelical leader, Yogaraja has held multiple roles at national, regional and global levels, including CEO of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Asian Evangelical Alliance, Executive Director of the WEA Religious Freedom Commission, Religious Freedom Ambassador, and WEA Deputy Secretary General.
In his acceptance speech at the General Assembly, Yogaraja expressed gratitude and emphasized unity, fidelity, and a new global mission. “I am extremely grateful and delighted to stand before you today as the newly elected President of the International Council of the World Evangelical Alliance,” he said. “First and foremost, we thank the Lord Jesus Christ for calling us to this mission and entrusting us with the mission of making disciples of all nations.”
He emphasized the urgency of the Gospel amid global challenges and opportunities. “We come together at a time when the world faces significant challenges: suffering, marginalized peoples, escalating persecution, the urgency of the gospel in cultural change, and the opportunities created by technology and global connectivity,” he said. “Our strength lies not in numbers or influence, but in the faithfulness of God and the unity of the Spirit.”
Mr. Yogarajah confirmed his determination to work closely with Israel’s Rev. Bottles Mansour, the newly appointed Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer. “Together with Pastor Bottles, the International Council, and our global family, we will explore new ways to equip the church, strengthen leaders, and bring the transformative message of Christ to our communities,” he said. “May this be a new chapter of unity, effectiveness, and hope for the World Evangelical Alliance.”
Two-stage election based on WEA bylaws
The selection of the International Board of Directors followed a two-step process outlined in the WEA Bylaws. At the first business session on October 29, representatives of the national and regional coalitions that make up WEA’s voting membership endorsed the candidates submitted by each of the nine regional evangelical alliances.
Immediately after the conclusion of the session, the newly elected International Council convened to elect its officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Additionally, two additional members were selected to meet the ordinance’s requirement that the council be comprised of at least 11 members, ensuring diversity in gender, age, and ministry background.
Outgoing Chair Goodwill Shanna explained that regional coalitions also submitted nominations for additional candidates to increase diversity and representation.
“We have asked the regional coalition to send three representative candidates, either young people, women or people with expertise,” he said. “The International Board will consider these and other candidates to ensure balance and representativeness.”
Among these candidates, the Council reelected former members Snehal Pinto of India and Marta Hotton of Argentina to continue for second terms.
Composition of the new international council
The new International Council will include both re-elected and newly appointed members.
Re-elected members:
Godfrey Yogaraja (Sri Lanka) – Chairman. Dr. David Gretzki (Canada), who is also the Chairman of the Asian Evangelical Alliance and CEO of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka – Vice-Chairman. Dr. Jorge Gomez, President, Evangelical Alliance of Canada (Costa Rica) – Secretary. Alianza Evangelica Latina Bassem Fekri (Egypt) – Egyptian Evangelical Alliance Marta Hotton (Argentina) – Alianza Evangelica Latina Snehal Pinto (India) – Director of Ryan Group of International Organizations Pastor Akhaman Egizbayev (Kyrgyzstan) – Kazakhstan Evangelical Alliance
Newly elected members:
Pastor Jean Libom Li Riken (Cameroon) – President of the African Evangelical Association Devon Lache (Grenada) – President of the Caribbean Evangelical Association Reinhard Sink (Germany) – General Secretary of the German Evangelical Union Jude Simion (Australia) – President of the Australian Evangelical Union
The council has not yet appointed a treasurer.
Retiring members who have completed their terms include Rev. Goodwill Shana (Zimbabwe), Rev. Frank Hinkelman (Austria), Rev. Connie Mayne Duarte (Portugal), Rev. Palmira Santos (Angola), Rev. Ezekiel Tan (Singapore), Dr. Mario Lihin (Mauritius), Rev. Desmond Austin (Caribbean), and Mr. John Langlois. (Guernsey).
Clarification of “honor” status
During the business meeting, delegates also addressed questions regarding the legitimacy of the “honorary member” status granted to former international board members in 2008. Mr. Shana clarified that the WEA’s constitution and bylaws do not contain any provision for such a role.
“Honorary members have no constitutional status or standing,” Shana said. “What we have are minutes that say certain members are honorary members until the next general meeting.”
Therefore, its status will expire after the 2019 general meeting in Jakarta. That role does not currently exist, as there has been no recorded discussion or resolution of this issue since 2019. Any future award of honorary positions would require formal amendments to the bylaws defining the terms and powers of such roles, Shana added.
“A new day” for WEA
The newly appointed General Secretary, Rev. Bottles Mansour, was formally introduced during the session. Participants prayed for Mr Yogaraja, Mr Mansour and the newly elected International Council.
“Today is a new day,” Shanna said. “Today is a great day for the WEA, with a new International Board of Directors and a new Secretary-General.”
