As we journey toward celebrating 180 years of the World Evangelical Alliance, we are looking back at the moments that shaped our history
“The real VIPs were the leaders bearing scars for the Lord Jesus Christ.” — J. Elwin Wright, 1956
At the 1956 World Evangelical Fellowship conference, leaders gathered from across the West and from the young, fast-growing churches of Asia. Many had paid a real price to be there.
It was a small sentence with a long shadow. Because from its earliest decades, this movement’s story has never really been about budgets, buildings or titles.
It has been about people. Often unseen. Rarely applauded. Faithfully carrying the cost of following Jesus in hard places.
180 years later, the story continues. We celebrate the spread of God’s Kingdom around the world — and together, we continue to pray: Your Kingdom come.
Sources
Howard, David M. The Dream That Wouldn't Die. The Birth and Growth of the World Evangelical Fellowship 1846-1986 Vol. 1 : Yearbook for Evangelical Theology, Volume 1, 1987.
Randall, Ian and David Hilborn. One Body in Christ. The History and Significance of the Evangelical Alliance. Great Britain: Paternoster Press, 2001.
Parker, David. Discerning The Obedience of Faith. A Short History of the World Evangelical Alliance. Theological Commission. Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 2005.
Ewing, John W. Goodly Fellowship. A Centenary Tribute to the Life and Work of the World's Evangelical Alliance 1846–1946. World of Theology Series 23. Theological Commission. Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft 2022.
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