Historic Appointment: Botrus Mansour Becomes First Arab Christian Leader of WEA
In a landmark decision, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has named Advocate Botrus Mansour as its new Secretary General and CEO. This appointment is significant as Mansour becomes the first Arab Christian to lead the organization that represents over 600 million Evangelicals in more than 148 countries worldwide.
Scheduled to take office at the WEA’s General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, from October 27 to 31, 2025, Mansour will be stepping into his role during the first such global gathering since 2019. The event will revolve around the theme “The Gospel for Everyone by 2033.”
This appointment follows a six-month international search process that began with 25 candidates and was narrowed down to three finalists. Mansour was ultimately chosen by a majority vote of the WEA’s International Council. The position had been vacant since March 31, 2023, following the resignation of former leader Thomas Schirrmacher due to health issues. Dr. Goodwill Shana, the Council Chair, has been serving as interim leader since April 2023.
Dr. Shana described the selection process as “a journey marked by diligence, transparency, and prayer,” expressing confidence that Mansour’s “servant leadership” will enhance collaborative efforts within the evangelical community.
Mansour expressed his humility and commitment to furthering the WEA’s mission. He stated, “I am deeply humbled by the IC’s choice and trust in me, and I am acutely aware of the immense responsibility it carries. I am keenly aware that this will need hearts, minds and hands to join together across the global WEA family.”
He emphasized his dedication to overcoming challenges and uniting the evangelical community, saying, “With God’s grace, I will work relentlessly with others to remove any obstacles that may seek to hinder our unity. I will be reaching out to my brothers and sisters around the world so that together we may rally behind the vision, ‘The Gospel for Everyone by 2033.’ Your prayers and support will go a long way in making this vision a reality. Our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, is worthy of us glorifying Him. His Gospel of peace, justice and righteousness is the true solution for our aching world. Let us allow nothing to stand in the way of proclaiming this life-changing message.”
Born in Nazareth in 1965, Mansour spent his childhood in Jerusalem, Oxford, and later returned to Nazareth. He converted to Christianity during his high school years. After attending Nazareth Baptist School, he pursued law at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, graduating in 1991, and joined the Israeli Bar Association in 1993. He has practiced law in Haifa and Nazareth and completed an MBA in nonprofit management at Haifa University in 2009.
Mansour has been the operational director of Nazareth Baptist School since 2004. He co-founded the Local Baptist Church in Nazareth in 1996 and became an ordained elder in 2001. His leadership roles include chairing the Convention of Evangelical Churches in Israel and serving in various capacities in regional evangelical organizations. He is also a member of the Global Council of Advocates International and co-chairs the Lausanne Initiative for Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine.
The Convention of Evangelical Churches in Israel, which Mansour once led, is a significant national member body of the WEA in the Holy Land, alongside the Evangelical Alliance of Israel and the Council of Local Evangelical Churches representing the Palestinian territories.
Beyond his administrative roles, Mansour is a prolific lecturer and writer on faith and Middle Eastern issues. He has published works in multiple languages and authored books such as When Your Neighbor is the Savior (2011) and Looking from the Precipice (2021).
He resides in Nazareth with his wife, A’bir, and their three adult children.
Established nearly 180 years ago, the WEA serves as a unifying platform for Evangelical unity, mission, and advocacy, linking national and regional alliances and partner organizations globally.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
