The 21st World Congress of the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC), held in Collingswood, NJ, USA, from June 21-28, 2023, continued in its stand “for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9). Delegates from many countries around the world worshipped together, with many Bible messages around the Congress theme: “Declare God’s Glory Among the Nations.”

Missions Emphasis

A real missions emphasis encouraged all delegates and observers to carry out Christ’s Great Commission to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Psalm 96:2 tells us to “shew forth his salvation from day to day.” All in attendance rejoiced in the Gospel message that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Rev. José Héctor Oyarce, of Valdivia, Chile, presented the glorious truths that even though man is totally depraved and unable to save himself, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:8-9).

This is a far different gospel than that presented by the World Council of Churches. The WCC gospel is largely comprised of what it calls “social justice” (which in many instances is just another name for socialism), “climate justice,” a “new world economic order,” and other here-and-now leftist causes.

Resolution and position statements speak to several issues of our day

The ICCC delegates passed a resolution on Gender and Sexuality, as well as position statements on the World Evangelical Alliance and Apostasy, and on Music in the Life of the Christian and the Church. These can be found under the Resolutions tab on this website. At the bottom of each one, there are downloadable PDF files in both English and Spanish.

New officer and members of the ICCC Executive Committee

The Rev. Brad Gsell (President), the Rev. Ken Olson (General Secretary), the Rev. David Lewis (Treasurer), and the Rev. Nadir Carreño (First Vice President) were reelected to their positions by the delegates. The Rev. Hal Ricker is now Second Vice President, and the Rev. Juan Hoyos (of Peru) was elected as Third Vice President.

Bishop Richard Kivai and Bishop Geoffrey Buliba, both of Kenya, were added to the Executive Committee; as were the Rev. Luis Seijo and the Rev. Tio Pica, of the Philippines.

Kenya named as the site for the ICCC 22nd World Congress in the summer of 2026

At the invitation of the East Africa Christian Alliance, the delegates to the Congress voted to hold the 22nd World Congress in Kenya in the summer of 2026. We encourage everyone to make plans now to attend this event. More details will be given as we draw nearer to that time.

“For the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 1:9