FTT at the WEA General Assembly:
Advancing the 2033 Vision in Seoul
During the first week of November, the Finishing the Task (FTT) team participated in the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly in Seoul, Korea—an event convened once every six years and one of the most globally representative evangelical gatherings in the world. Hosted by Sarang Church and Pastor John Oh, this year’s assembly centered on the FTT-inspired theme: “The Gospel for Everyone by 2033.”
The scale of participation underscored the global shift in Christianity’s center of gravity. The assembly brought together 931 international delegates from 124 WEA member countries, along with missionaries, diaspora leaders, and representatives of the westward mission movement—totaling 1,300 participants from 146 nations. With thousands of Korean pastors joining parallel events on-site, more than 7,000 people engaged with the 2033 message throughout the week.
Importantly, 71% of attendees came from Africa, Asia, and other parts of the Global South, reflecting the reality that 70% of the world’s Christians now reside in these regions. The assembly illustrated not only the diversity of the Church but also its accelerating momentum outside the West.
This year’s gathering also marked a leadership transition for the WEA—the final event for outgoing Executive Chair Goodwill Shana, and the appointment of new WEA General Secretary Botrus Mansour, a respected Christian leader from Nazareth.
Key Themes and Missional Challenges
The WEA, founded in 1846, now serves over 600 million evangelical Christians across 143 nations. Its mission of unity, evangelism, and advocacy took on renewed urgency at this assembly, especially as speakers highlighted emerging opportunities and challenges facing the Church.
One of the most discussed findings came from The Patmos Initiative, presented by Paul Williams of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Research revealed a striking reality:
- 76% of Asia’s population has no awareness of the Bible,
- Yet there is significant interest among non-Christians, including 17% in South Korea.
This combination—low biblical exposure paired with genuine spiritual curiosity—was framed as one of the greatest missional opportunities of the era. Leaders emphasized the need for data-informed, strategic approaches to introduce Scripture where awareness is almost nonexistent.
Pastor Rick Warren: Unity for the Sake of Evangelism
Pastor Rick Warren, who leads the FTT coalition of Great Commission Allies, addressed the assembly multiple times, calling the global Church to deeper collaboration.
He noted that Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 was not abstract, but explicitly tied to evangelism:
“May they be one so that the world may believe.”
Throughout the week, Pastor Rick emphasized that he is witnessing God uniquely rally the global Church toward the 2033 goal—and that no movement, denomination, or nation can do it alone.
“In the last five years… I have seen firsthand what God is doing through the Church on every continent. The Holy Spirit is moving in amazing ways, unlike ever before.”
In a session with business leaders, he highlighted the strategic role of marketplace professionals in advancing the gospel:
“In a globalized economy, businesspeople are the new missionaries… your work is your ministry and your mission.”
Sarang Church’s Great Commission Legacy
As host, Sarang Church not only facilitated the assembly but also shared its long history of strengthening churches across Korea and the world. Their ministry, rooted in an “Awaking” philosophy that prioritizes revitalizing existing churches, has served 29,069 pastors and churches across 78 countries.
Other highlights include:
- 65 churches planted domestically and internationally.
- A Europe-focused church planting effort that has established 213 churches in 29 nations, with a long-term goal of 1,000.
- A forthcoming 2033–50 Vision to launch a major domestic initiative in 2026 to plant 100 churches across Korea.
Throughout the week, Sarang also hosted the Korean National Pastors Conference, which ran in conjunction with the General Assembly. This year, the conference focused in part on addressing longstanding divisions among Korean churches. After decades of unsuccessful political and diplomatic attempts at reconciliation on the peninsula, several speakers presented “gospel unification” as the only viable pathway—proposing that true unity between North and South Korea must be rooted in Christ, not geopolitics.
Momentum Toward 2033
The week in Seoul generated new partnerships, fresh commitments, and expanded regional interest in the 2033 timeline. Delegations from across the Global South expressed readiness to take greater ownership in the collective effort to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to the gospel.
For FTT, the assembly affirmed what has been increasingly evident in gatherings around the world: the global Church is aligning around the goal of finishing the task—and is taking tangible steps toward it.
To learn how you and your church can take your first steps to become a Great Commission Ally and finish the task, visit finsihingthetask.com/getstarted.
