Council for World Mission appoints new general secretary

Council for World Mission Trustees have appointed Rev Dr Collin Cowan as the organisation's new general secretary at its annual trustee body meeting in Hong Kong.

Dr Cowan, general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI), will begin his new role at the start of 2011.

In his acceptance speech, he expressed humility and gratitude for the vote of confidence the organisation had shown in calling him to such an esteemed position.

Dr Cowan, 52, said he intends to promote a “partnership of peace”, and would be committed to making CWM an “agent of peace-making”.

He also welcomed the opportunity to develop a close-knit working team with existing staff at CWM and paid tribute to the present general secretary Rev Dr Des van der Water, who completes his term at the end of 2010.

He said that he expected to be held accountable to the highest level of performance by the Trustees as he embarks upon an exciting new era for CWM.

The appointment comes at a critical time for CWM. The charity is undertaking a major review of its life, work and mission, and its trustees are currently discussing a new strategy that will take CWM forward into the next decade.

In his new role Dr Cowan will be looking to spearhead the implementation of this strategy alongside CWM’s 31 member churches worldwide.