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The opening prayer asked for discernment of the path of justice.
“As you inaugurate us, as commissioners of the World Council of Churches Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, we implore your inspiration and guidance,” the commissioners prayed. “Grant us wisdom and compassion that we may know and embrace the truth that emerges from places of suffering.”
Moderator of the commission, Rev. Michael Blair, spoke of the privilege of being called and chosen by God to form a vital part of the commission. "Our God of surprises has drawn us graciously into the vast mission of the World Council of Churches,” he said. “Ever alert to the signs of the times and the cries of our brothers and sisters, urged by the Spirit of God and motivated by the compassion of Jesus Christ, we are willing and ready to take the love of God to all whom we encounter on life’s journey.”
“This inauguration marks that we want commissioners to feel their work is moved by Christ’s Spirit and inspired by our calling to common witness; we will deepen this when the Commission meets in person” Rev. Dr Peter Cruchley, director of the WCC Commission for World Mission and Evangelism stated. “Having this moment online was also to underline that the we want the virtual space to be a creative place for the Commission’s work on the life giving praxes and spiritualities of mission and evangelism” he added.
The inauguration occurred during the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle in which the WCC prayed for the churches and people of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania and also marking the start of the Week of Prayer for Overcoming Racism and Xenophobia 19-25 March 2024.
WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism
Learn more about the WCC work on Mission and Evangelism
