Newly-elected Executive Director of the WEA-MC, Bertil Ekstrom said, “The Lord has been speaking to us throughout all of the meetings and devotions. The Mission Commission has been a meeting place for mission leaders, a forum where we can strengthen each other and form deep fellowship among colleagues. We want to extend this partnership to even more representatives worldwide, and to those in the mission community that do not usually attend these gatherings.”
Last week, Ekstrom was officially appointed as the new Executive Director, which was just one of several leadership and staff changes featured at the weeklong conference.
The conference featured seminars, plenary sessions, and reports of new and ongoing developments in the field of mission.
The sessions and workshops touched on a variety of topics, ranging from the serious “Islam from an African Perspective” and “Ministry in the Context of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic,” to the more unusual “Christian Response to the Avian Flu Outbreak.”
An emphasis was also given to diversity, with delegates ranging from ages 18 all the way through to 85, as well as travelling from 54 separate countries to attend the meeting.
Joanne Good, Associate Director of Christian Locators in the United Kingdom, and one of five featured speakers at a panel on young mission leaders said, “For me, one of the greatest things has been the richness of sitting on the table with a diversity of voices, nations, and generations.
“Coming to a gathering like this, you’re able to realise how narrow your world can be, even in the field of global missions.”
Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance, also applauded the diverse make-up of the convocation.
He said, “During this event we heard robust, creative and focused dialogue from mission practitioners from around the world.”
He added, “It was particularly encouraging and challenging to hear younger leaders who share ideas about new strategies of mission, the need for being mentored and older leaders to be more transparent about their own failings.
“All the participants will leave this consultation better equipped to engage in extending the Kingdom of God,” he said.
WEA-MC convocations are held once every three years, and give international missions leaders and pastors the opportunity to fellowship, learn, and network with each other.
“This has been a fantastic experience,” said Colin Banfield, a South African pastor.
“Although it is broad, there is a like-mindedness here that unites us. It has been the best place to connect with the right people who have the same concern for missions.”
The 2006 convocation was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 18-24 June.