However, despite many evangelical leaders saying that they were "enthusiastic" about this, there still has not been any firm creativeness on creating the model for this governance.
Humbly, Edmonds went on to say that he would be available to aid coordinative efforts and to provide counsellor support for the larger WEA organisation until a successor is found.
"The successor is yet to be decided, and we don’t have anyone in mind. But there is obviously a flurry of emails and phone calls about this, and we are still in the process of determining what to do."
The International Council (IC) chairman for the WEA, Ndaba Mazabane gave thanks for Edmonds’ dedication to his work and "tireless efforts" to unify the alliances during his appointment.
Mazabane said, "Gary has been instrumental in helping WEA reflect and draw on its rich history in order to build a strong and viable global movement that is relevant to the 21st Century. We are all indebted to his tireless efforts of connecting and working closely with regional alliances and also for his contribution in giving financial stability to the WEA."
Rev Edmonds reported, "I think that first, the members of the WEA must be intentional about bringing together the different regional and recognised leaders who are actively engaged in each of the regions, so they can form partnership alliances and have opportunities to dialogue and relate to each other as they need.
"Secondly, they should put together a team or process to identify what the critical needs facing the world today are, so that evangelicals form diverse denominations and nationalities can actually come to a level of agreement on the evangelical voice regarding the issue."
Emphasising his continuing commitment to church mission and unity, Edmonds said that he would go on to continue to co-work with churches and to aid their efforts to work together.
He concluded, "God has given me international experience and certain skills and passions to see local churches work together and to rise to their fullest calling to disciple nations and take the gospel to all the spheres of societal life. But I will still be interacting with the WEA, and I will be available to council and consult as a resource to the vast network of evangelicals."
