By Daoud Kuttab-Milhilard.org

Seoul, South Korea – The newly appointed General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance, Rev. Botrus Mansour, warmly welcomed participants to the 14th Global Evangelical Alliance Conference in Seoul, South Korea. The event brings together nine global alliances representing 650 million evangelicals from 161 nations, including a significant delegation from the Middle East and North Africa.

In his opening remarks, Rev. Mansour said, “We welcome all of you from around the world. It is truly moving to see you, brothers and sisters in Christ. The blood of Christ unites us. This is the strongest bond that can exist.”

He emphasized the spiritual foundation of the gathering, citing a famous prayer of Jesus before his crucifixion: “I have given them the glory that You gave me, that they may be one as we are one.” Rev. Mansour explained, “Imagine the kind of close bond that unites us all in Christ. May the Lord bless our time in this conference. Let us be one in spirit.”

Highlighting the diversity of the participants in terms of culture, language, and perspectives, he stressed the importance of celebrating this diversity within the framework of unity and love. “We may differ in many ways, but we should celebrate this conference. Let us enjoy our time together in unity and love, walking together to fulfill the mission entrusted to us by the Lord.”

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, President of the Middle East and North Africa Alliance, told Salt of the Earth that he was pleased with the selection of one of the region’s evangelical leaders. “We are happy with the appointment of Rev. Boutros Mansour, who most recently served as President of the Evangelical Alliance in Jordan, Palestine, and Galilee,” he said. Dr. Sara noted that the participation of 25 evangelical representatives from the Middle East and North Africa underscores the importance of the region and its role in the global evangelical community.

Earlier, on Sunday, October 26, regional evangelical leaders held a preliminary meeting in Seoul to review the challenges and opportunities facing evangelical work in the Middle East and North Africa. Rev. Mansour joined the meeting, greeted participants on his election, and posed for a commemorative photograph with the attendees.