Two months before its World Assembly in South Korea, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has announced the election of Botrus Mansour as its new secretary general and CEO.

The announcement follows a long transition process lasting over a year.

During the six-month-lonh search process, the organisation received 25 proposals and narrowed the field down to three final candidates.

The previous secretary general of the WEA, Thomas Schirrmacher of Germany, resigned in April 2024 citing health reasons.

In a press release, the WEA explained that Goodwill Shana, who is the Chair of the organisation's International Council, expressed “confidence in the process, saying, 'This has been a journey marked by diligence, transparency, and prayer'”.

“Advocate Mansour brings national and regional evangelical experience that is rooted in local grassroots church and community engagement. He has demonstrated humility and a servant's heart that will bring servant leadership and strengthen collaborative efforts to the WEA”, Shana added.

Botrus Mansour: Removing obstacles to unity of evangelicals

Upon arriving to know the election, Botrus Mansour said, “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.”

“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 Saviour, 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.”

More about the new WEA leader

Born in Nazareth in 1965, he lived as a child in Jerusalem, Oxford, and Nazareth. He came to know the Lord during his high school years.

After graduating from Nazareth Baptist School, he completed a law degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (1991), was admitted to the Israeli Bar Association (1993), and practised law in Haifa and Nazareth. In 2009, Botrus completed an MBA (specialising in non-profit organisations) from Haifa University. In 2004, he was invited to lead Nazareth Baptist School as General Director (title changed to Operational Director in 2021), a position he still holds today. Botrus co-founded the Local Baptist Church in Nazareth in 1996 and was ordained as an elder in 2001.

He has served in leadership positions in church and parachurch organisations and held various positions including: Chairman of The Convention of Evangelical Churches in Israel; Secretary and Chairman of the Alliance of Evangelical Conventions in Jordan and the Holy Land; Member of the Executive Committee for Christian Schools in Israel; Deputy Chairman of the Nazareth Village board; Member of the Global Council of Advocates International; Co-Chairman of the Lausanne Initiative for Reconciliation Israel-Palestine.

Botrus has also been involved in giving lectures in churches, universities, and conferences all around the world on matters of faith and life in the Middle East. He has also written extensively in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. He has published a few books, including When Your Neighbour is the Saviour (Hope Publishing House, 2011) and Looking from the Precipice (Paraclete Press, 2021).

Botrus and his wife, A'bir, have three grown children. They live in Nazareth, Israel.