A Filipino will be the first Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
(World Evangelical Alliance)
Bishop Efraim Tendero, the outgoing Secretary General and chief executive officer (CEO) of the WEA International Council, has been appointed to the post by his successor, Bishop Thomas Schirrmacher.
Tendero, former national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), confirmed his new assignment Friday, Feb. 26.
"Yes, I will be the 1st Filipino Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance in its 175 years of history," he said in an interview.
He described his new appointment as “a privilege and solemn responsibility of explaining, defending and advancing the evangelical witness in the world and providing mentorship to younger leaders within the global family of 600 million evangelicals in the world.”
In a statement on Friday, Feb. 25, the WEA said Tendero was appointed as Global Ambassador so that he could continue to represent WEA at high-level events and serve WEA’s constituency of nine regional and 140 national Alliances.
As Global Ambassador, WEA said Tendero will support the Secretary General by representing WEA amongst Alliances, member bodies and gatherings, and serve as a spokesperson for the WEA.
He is also expected to engage at national and international conferences on matters of spiritual and inspirational leadership among WEA Alliances and member bodies; and write on matters concerning evangelicals in various forms of publications — explaining, defending and advancing the evangelical witness in the world.
This is aside from providing mentorship to younger leaders within the WEA global family.
"I am also thankful that he accepted the role of Global Ambassador, which allows the WEA to continue to benefit from his wisdom and insights as he visits and encourages Alliances in different parts of the world. He is the first Secretary General to continue serving the WEA in such an official capacity, which will be a great asset to the organization as we serve such a vast constituency,” Schirrmacher said.
"The WEA has grown a lot over the past few years and I am grateful to assume leadership at a time when there is so much momentum and potential for the future, which is in no small part thanks to the leadership of Bishop Ef,” he added.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, the WEA is expected to hold a Leadership Handover Ceremony where Tendero will pass on the baton to Schirrmacher. The two leaders will be together in a studio near Bonn, while the event is live-streamed for members and the general public to witness.
Dr. Goodwill Shana, who chairs WEA’s International Council, said: “It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge Bishop Efraim Tendero’s contribution to the WEA and the many developments that have taken place over the past six years, and induct Bishop Dr Thomas Schirrmacher as the new Secretary General & CEO and bless him as he takes on this new role.”
Since assuming leadership of the WEA in March 2015, Tendero has worked towards strengthening the WEA in its representative voice on behalf of some 600 million evangelicals, its relationships with and service to regional and national Alliances and also its organizational structure.
“As I hand over the leadership, I believe that the WEA is stronger today than it has ever been. This would not have been possible without the prayers, generosity and support from colleagues, members, partners and friends. I am very grateful for everyone who has accompanied me on this journey, for the many conversations, the encouragement and the enriching moments we shared together. And I look forward to continuing the journey with WEA in the new role of Global Ambassador,” said Tendero.
“There remains much room for growth. The WEA is indispensable to the global evangelical movement and I am excited about what lies ahead in the coming years," he added.