UCA delegation renewed to perservere in their witness

The Uniting Church in Australia has played an active and visible role at the 27th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) held in Thailand, where over 400 delegates from more than 100 countries have gathered under the theme, “Persevere in Your Witness”.

Led by President Rev Charissa Suli, the six-member Uniting Church delegation has contributed to committee and caucus work, ecumenical networking, worship and exposure visits during the gathering.

“The Spirit of unity, hope and shared discipleship moves gently through our global Reformed family,” Rev Suli said. “It weaves us together in Christ’s love and strengthens our witness for the healing of God’s world.”

Rev Suli has served on the General Council’s Public Issues Committee, helping to discern and shape the Council’s final statement. The report gathered the cries and hopes of churches across the world – calling for peace in places of conflict, action for climate justice, and solidarity with those enduring oppression and poverty. It urged the global Reformed family to persevere in witness to justice, reconciliation, and the healing of creation.

“Faith is not silence in the face of suffering,” said Rev Suli. “It is the courage to speak, to act, and to hope – trusting that God’s justice still breathes life into places the world has abandoned.”

The President also gave the opening prayer at the Korea Peace Action workshop, where she reaffirmed the UCA’s commitment to peace and solidarity with the Korean Peninsula and diaspora communities globally.

The General Council has provided space for UCA leadership to deepen ecumenical relationships. Rev Suli, alongside General Secretary Andrew Johnson and President-elect Rev Dr Paul Goh, met with representatives from the Christian Conference of Asia and partner churches from the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Our younger delegates Jordan Sumner, Fanau'ifo'ou 'Akau'ola and Latu Suli have added vibrant energy to the UCA’s presence. Jordan has participated in leading worship alongside Indigenous siblings from other parts of the world, elevating First Peoples’ voices in the spiritual life of the Council.

Fanau'ifo'ou has joined others in an exposure visit to Huaiy Nam Khun Village and the Thoo Mweh Khee Learning Centre (TMKLC) in Thailand’s Tak Province, near the border with Myanmar. The visit offered insight into the resilience of displaced Karen communities and the vital role of faith-based education in restoring dignity and opportunity.

Latu has been passionately involved in the work of the Youth Caucus and in co-presenting the Youth Report to the General Council, which detailed fatigue by the global church’s youth from systems like capitalism, social media and injustice, and an appeal for genuine spaces of solidarity, rest and fellowship.

A major highlight for all attending has been the celebration of the WCRC’s 150th anniversary, marked by a jubilant Sunday worship service. Global church leaders, including former WCRC presidents and guest speakers, offered messages of reflection and encouragement.

South African theologian and anti-apartheid activist Rev Dr Allan Boesak, who led the World Alliance of Reformed Churches from 1982 to 1990, delivered an inspiring address on God’s faithfulness amid struggles. He later met with Rev Suli, offering words of encouragement and a reminder that “the work of justice continues, and so does God’s faithfulness”.

Rev Dr Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, also addressed the gathering, urging churches to hold fast to faith in the face of global crises. “We persevere in our ecumenical witness,” he said, “because deep in our hearts we know that God’s justice, peace and love will prevail.”
Rev Suli also offered the opening prayer at the Korea Peace Action workshop, hosted by the National Council of Churches in Korea. She reaffirmed the UCA’s commitment to peace and solidarity with the Korean Peninsula and diaspora communities globally.

“The call to peace is not abstract: it is lived and urgent,” she said. “As a church committed to reconciliation, we stand with those seeking justice, unity, and healing.”

As the General Council concludes tomorrow after 10 days, the Uniting Church’s delegation returns home energised and inspired by the shared witness of the global Reformed Church community.

“In every language, culture and story shared here, we’ve seen the Spirit moving,” Rev Suli said. “We return to Australia renewed in our call to persevere in faith, speak truth in love, and live out the gospel with courage.”