World Evangelical Alliance welcomes Christian Council of Korea

The WEA (World Evangelical Alliance) welcomed the CCK (Christian Council of Korea) as one of its national alliances on December 12, creating an official partnership between the two bodies.

Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of WEA, arrived in Seoul on last week, marking his third visit to the country this year. During May and August, visits, Dr Tunnicliffe and CCK President Rev Young Kyu Lee discussed a number of international issues, including religious freedom and poverty, and agreed that cooperation between evangelicals worldwide and Korean churches is desperately needed.

Dr Tunnicliffe said his latest visit was a "historic moment", adding that he was "thankful to God to be able to officially welcome CCK into the WEA family".

The global alliance represents 420 million evangelical Christians worldwide.

Emphasising the importance of co-working together to address the global issues of today, Dr Tunnicliffe said, "The role of the WEA is to create a platform for evangelicals across the globe. We speak for the countries where persecutions are still severe and we address poverty and environmental issues.

"I believe Korea can make their voice heard around the world and by organisations like the UN on these issues as a partner of WEA."

Rev Lee expressed mutual feelings about the partnership.

"I am thankful to God, who has allowed this good partnership and I welcome the visit of the WEA representative warmly," said Rev Lee. "I wish that we could exert the power to deal with difficulties such as the Afghanistan hostage crisis and cooperate in the work of leading the whole world to Christ."

CCK has a membership of 63 denominations representing 10 million Christians.

Furthermore, Dr Tunnicliffe offered CCK an invitation to the WEA General Assembly - held every six years - scheduled for next year on October 24-30 in Thailand.

"Korea is second most missionary-sending country in the world," said Dr Tunnicliffe. "It's also very important for the mission leaders in the world to witness and confirm the mission movement in Korea. I am grateful to God for allowing us to have this partnership."

The WEA is made up of 128 national evangelical alliances located in seven regions and 104 associate member organisations. The vision of WEA is to extend the Kingdom of God by making disciples of all nations and by Christ-centered transformation within society. WEA exists to foster Christian unity, and to provide an identity, voice and platform for the 420 million evangelical Christians worldwide.