World Evangelical Alliance
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is the broadest organizational and global manifestation of what it means to be an evangelical. It has never been a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), but has Observer status and participates in selected ecumenical dialogues.
In 1846, some 800 evangelical leaders from 11 countries representing 52 Christian denominations resolved to establish the WEA. They described it as “a new thing in Church history – a definite organization for the expression of unity amongst Christian individuals belonging to different churches.” Building on the momentum of the Great Awakenings and with a desire to respond to some of the grave social issues in society, they came together from all backgrounds of evangelicalism at that time.
The WEA is characterized by five charter qualifications. First, a doctrinal confession, WEA Statement of Faith, grounds the organization in historic evangelical affirmations. Second, it is governed by Bylaws and General Assembly delegates, which guarantee historical continuity. Third, it is a church-based movement—listening to its constituency as its core authority. The International Council is the governance board of the WEA. Fourth, its constituency is global—rooted in 143 national and nine regional alliances, more than one hundred affiliate members.The International Council members are elected by the representatives of regional and national Evangelical Alliances at WEA General Assemblies, which generally take place at least once every six years. Finally, it functions as a network while providing the services of an alliance—through its resources, departments, and commissions.
As a global Christian body, WEA provides an identity, platform, and voice for evangelical Christians. This is expressed through engagements with the United Nations, governments, and inter/intra faith bodies as well as media. The purpose of these engagements is to provide an evangelical perspective on issues relevant to the church globally, in particular religious freedom.
The WEA engages with the World Council of Churches on matters of dialogue as well as the possibility of joint advocacy for the sake of the members.
We believe in:
The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
One God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediatorial work, and his personal return in power and glory.
The Salvation of lost and sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith apart from works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ.
The Resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.