Blantyre Synod GS elected into world Christian body

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod general secretary the Reverend Billy Gama was on Wednesday elected as a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

He was elected during the 11th Assembly of WCC held in Karlsruhe, Germany from August 30 to yesterday (September 8).

The gathering attracted over 4 000 delegates from Orthodox, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic leanings. The meeting also had Muslim representatives in attendance.

A message sent to leaders of the CCAP Blantyre Synod by former Blantyre Synod general secretary Very Rev. Professor Silas Ncozana said Rev. Gama was elected from a pool of “280 eminent candidates from all over the world.”

“Only 150 people were required to form the central committee. It is unequivocal that the competition was extremely high,” reads the message in part.

Reacting to his election, Rev. Gama said he was excited that for the first time Malawi has a representative in the central committee of the world Christian body.

“This means Malawi’s voice will easily be heard,” he said.

Rev. Gama thanked fellow local clergy, Nkowa CCAP, where he is congregation moderator, family and friends for motivating him to the world stage.

“Thank you to the CCAP Blantyre Synod for entrusting me to the position of general secretary. I would not see any opportunity to attend such a big conference,” he said.

The CCAP Blantyre Synod delegation to the assembly comprised synod moderator Rev. Edina Navaya, and Very Rev. Prof. Silas Ncozana who also attended in his capacity as adviser of the WCC.

The assembly deliberated on the theme ‘Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity’. The theme was relevant with various crises facing the world including climate change, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the protracted conflict in the Middle East.

The gathering called upon faith communities to formulate policies and draw plans of action to mitigate human suffering.

The WCC convenes every eight years and the next assembly will be held in 2030 when the current term of office will expire.