By Daoud Kuttab –Milhilard.org
Seoul, South Korea

Reverend Botrus Mansour, the newly appointed General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), announced, Thursday that the Alliance will seriously consider participating in the upcoming celebrations marking two thousand years since the Baptism of Jesus Christ, scheduled to take place in Jordan in 2030.

Speaking during a press conference held on the sidelines of the 14th World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Reverend Mansour made the remarks in response to a question from Milhilard.org about the possibility of participating in the global evangelical gathering in Jordan for the occasion.

The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, together with the Baptism Site Commission, is planning major celebrations to commemorate the third millennium of Christ’s baptism on the eastern bank of the Jordan River—an event of deep historical and spiritual significance for Christians worldwide.

Below is the full text of the question and answer exchange:

Daoud Kuttab – Milhilar.org:

”You talked about 2033, which is the millennial anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 20230 is also the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus and Jordan, the country where the baptism site took place is having a big celebration. Would you consider having the general assembly or another meeting in Jordan in 2030?

Watch the question on YouTube

Answer from Secretary General Boutros Mansour:
“It is possible to consider this, but that depends on the Chair and the International Council. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we can consider it if we receive an invitation. I don’t want to take on the role of the Chair or the International Council, but thank you for raising this issue.”

Reverend Mansour, who introduced himself during the press conference as a “Palestinian Christian from Nazareth,” was recently elected as the WEA’s General Secretary. The alliance represents more than 650 million evangelicals across 162 countries, organized under nine regional networks.

Before his election, Mansour served as president of the Evangelical Alliance of Jordan, Palestine, and the 1948 Territories. He was nominated for the global position by the Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance, led by Reverend Dr. Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College.

The five-day global conference, hosted at Seoul’s Sarang Church, brought together more than 7,000 participants from South Korea and 125 countries. Delegates from across the world—including representatives from Jordan and Palestine—took part in the opening ceremony, where national flags were raised in celebration of global unity.

The event concluded with Reverend Mansour’s inaugural address as Secretary General, which was met with warm applause. His remarks were followed by a prayer and blessing led by Reverend Azar Ajaj, pastor of Mansour’s church in Nazareth, alongside prominent evangelical leaders such as Reverend Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Church, who also participated in preaching and the communion service.

More details about Jordan’s upcoming celebrations for the third millennium of Christ’s baptism are available

here.