Filipino bishop heads evangelical alliance

MANILA, Philippines–Bishop Efraim Tendero, the head of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), has been elected leader of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), a network of Christian churches in more than 120 countries.

In a statement, WEA said Tendero was unanimously elected to succeed Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe as its secretary general and CEO, saying that “he is the right person” to take the organization “into the future.” Tendero begins his five-year term on March 1.

Tunnicliffe announced last year he would not be seeking a third term after being at the helm for 10 years.

Tendero has served as national director of PCEC, which is a member of WEA representing some 30,000 evangelical churches in the Philippines, for more than 20 years. He is also president of the Philippine Relief and Development Services of the PCEC which works with local churches to serve the poor.

“I am humbled by the trust that is given me to be the leader of the Evangelicals around the world,” said Tendero. “This is an enormous task and I put my whole trust and confidence in Almighty God, who called me into this ministry, believing that He will provide me the wisdom, favor and grace needed in carrying out this solemn responsibility.”–Jocelyn R. Uy