Global Ecumenical Theological Institute

Rev. Prof. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba

Position: WCC Programme Director for Unity and Mission  
Bio: Rev. Prof. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba is an ordained minister in the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) and a theologian and educator. She has taught at the Ecumenical Institute as Professor of Ecumenical Ethics since 2019, contributing to academic programs and mentoring emerging scholars. She earned her doctorate and Master of Arts (Theology) in Dogmatics and Christian Ethics (with a focus on eco-theology) from the University of Pretoria, exploring the intersection of Christian tradition, science, and African worldviews. Her Master of Theology from Trinity Theological College, Singapore focused on how migrant workers’ singing traditions shaped theology and mission. Nalwamba has served in various ministerial and academic roles in Zambia and Southern Africa serving the Council for World Mission, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, the Zambian government and the United Church of Zambia. Her work bridges scholarship and practice, promoting ecumenical dialogue, transformative theological education, and ethical reflection through scholarly work, education and mentorship. Her experience in pastoral ministry, academic leadership, and intercultural ecumenical work positions her as a voice in global theological discourse and ecumenical formation.

Prof. Dr Grace Al-Zoughbi

Position: Professor of Theology, Bethlehem Bible College
Bio:  Grace is a Palestinian theologian from Bethlehem whose scholarship focuses on the participation of Arab women in theological education. She served for several years on the faculty of Bethlehem Bible College, including as Head of the Biblical Studies Department (2011–2018), and now teaches as an assistant professor at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Beirut (2021 onwards). Grace serves as the accreditation officer for the Middle East and North Africa Association for Theological Accreditation (MENATE) and contributes to accreditation with the European Council for Theological Education (ECTE). Through Scholar Leaders International, she also leads the MENA No More regional group, a ministry addressing sexual misconduct within the church and the academy.

In 2023, Grace was awarded a PhD in theological education from the London School of Theology. Her scholarly contributions include numerous articles and chapters on women in theological education and Middle Eastern Christianity. She is the author of the Esther Commentary in The Arabic Contemporary Christian Commentary series and is currently preparing two books on women and theological education for publication.

Grace is married to Rev. Michael Arteen, and together they seek to advance God’s kingdom in the Middle East and beyond through teaching, ministry, and service.

His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Video Recording)

Position: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Bio: His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a Franciscan friar and Catholic prelate, serves as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Born in Italy in 1965 and ordained in 1990, he has dedicated his life to protecting holy sites, supporting Christian communities, and promoting interfaith dialogue. Previously serving as Custos of the Holy Land, he managed sacred sites and facilitated collaboration among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches. Appointed Latin Patriarch in 2020, he oversees pastoral ministry, theological formation, and ecumenical initiatives throughout the Holy Land. Fluent in multiple languages, he fosters communication among Christians, Muslims, and Jews, emphasizing coexistence, peace, and dialogue. His academic background in biblical studies and Middle Eastern history complements his pastoral leadership, guiding pilgrims, clergy, and students while prioritizing youth ministry, education, and community outreach. Patriarch Pizzaballa’s work integrates pastoral care, scholarship, and ecumenical vision, strengthening ties among diverse Christian communities and addressing contemporary social and spiritual challenges in a region of complex cultural and religious dynamics.

His Beatitude Theophilos III – (On Zoom)

Position: Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
Bio: His Beatitude Theophilos III is the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, overseeing Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land, Jordan, and surrounding regions. Born in Bethlehem in 1952, he was ordained as a deacon and priest and completed his theological education in Jerusalem and Greece. Patriarch Theophilos provides spiritual leadership, overseeing liturgical life, pastoral care, theological education, and church administration. He is committed to interfaith dialogue, engaging Muslims, Jews, and Christians to promote reconciliation and coexistence. His leadership extends to youth ministry, social services, and educational initiatives, fostering sustainable community development and preserving the Orthodox Christian heritage. Fluent in multiple languages, he engages with local and international partners to strengthen ecclesiastical relationships and encourage collaborative efforts across different Christian traditions. Patriarch Theophilos balances scholarly insight with pastoral responsibilities, addressing contemporary challenges while maintaining Orthodox liturgical and theological traditions, emphasizing both the spiritual and social well-being of his community.

Bishop Munib Younan (On Zoom)

Position: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
Bio: Bishop Munib Younan, born in 1950 in Jerusalem, is a Palestinian Lutheran bishop and a prominent ecumenical leader. He has dedicated his ministry to fostering reconciliation, peace, and interfaith dialogue among Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Ordained as a pastor, he was later elected Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and served as President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) from 2010 to 2017, representing Palestinian Christians on the global stage. Bishop Younan emphasizes the importance of social justice, advocates for marginalized communities, and promotes sustainable development within local contexts. He mentors clergy and laity, contributes to theological education, and leads initiatives encouraging nonviolence and ethical engagement. His work extends to fostering collaboration between local and international churches, creating partnerships that advance mutual understanding, spiritual growth, and practical responses to socio-political challenges. Bishop Younan’s leadership integrates pastoral care, academic insight, and ecumenical vision, shaping the church’s role in both local and global contexts. In a historic moment on October 31, 2016, Pope Francis, Bishop Younan (then President of the LWF), and General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge co-hosted the Joint Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. On this occasion, Pope Francis and Bishop Younan signed the historic declaration of reconciliation between the Catholic and Lutheran Churches.

Prof. Dr Agnes M. Brazal

Position: Professor of Theology, De La Salle University, Manila
Bio: Prof. Dr Agnes M. Brazal is a Full Professor of Theology at De La Salle University in Manila and a member of the Vatican Study Group 2 for the Synod on Synodality. She has authored Liberation-Postcolonial Ethics in the Philippines and Toward an Intercultural Church, and co-edited ten anthologies, including works on global Filipino Christianity and intercultural theology. Brazal holds STL/MA and STD/PhD degrees from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, and has received numerous awards recognizing her scholarship in theology and ethics. Her research focuses on intercultural theology, liberation ethics, and feminist theological perspectives in Asia, integrating academic study with practical church engagement. She mentors students and emerging scholars, promotes inclusion and social justice, and encourages reflection on ethical and transformative theological practices. Brazal’s work bridges academic research with pastoral care and community involvement, emphasizing the role of theology in addressing social issues, empowering marginalized groups, and cultivating intercultural understanding within church and society.

Rev. Dr Deenabandhu Manchala

Bio: Rev. Dr Deenabandhu Manchala, from Bangalore, India, is a pastor, theologian, activist and researcher. Formerly with the World Council of Churches, in Switzerland and Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA, he currently facilitates a CWM-sponsored theological study programme on Transformative Ecumenism.  He is also the chairperson of the Student Christian Movement of India and convenor of the Indian Christian Collective for Justice. He has published many essays in the areas of ecumenism, mission, ecclesiology, Dalit theology and similar theologies of life, theological education, and the issues, experiences, and visions of the marginalised and oppressed communities. He holds a doctorate in theology, with a focus on Dalit Ecclesiology. Dr Manchala mentors emerging church leaders, integrates theological reflection with practical ministry, and advocates for justice, inclusion, and empowerment for marginalised communities. His work emphasises contextual theology, social engagement, and ecumenical collaboration, bridging academic insights with pastoral practice in diverse local and global contexts.

Prof. Dr Azza Karam (On Zoom)

Position: President & CEO of Lead Integrity

Bio: Prof. Dr. Azza Karam is the founding president and CEO of Lead Integrity, the first women-led global consultancy promoting the common good through faith-inspired leadership, competence, and integrity. A member of the UN secretary-general’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, she previously led major U.S.- based international NGOs, including Religions for Peace and the Women’s Learning Partnership. Prof. Dr Azza Karam served at the United Nations for two decades, coordinating the Arab Human Development Reports at UNDP and founding the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion and its Multi-Faith Advisory Council. She also designed and led the UN’s Strategic Learning Exchanges on Religion, Development, and Diplomacy. Before the UN, she worked with the OSCE, EU, and International IDEA across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia on democratization and peacebuilding. Affiliated with Notre Dame’s Ansari Institute, she is widely published, translated into multiple languages, and holds an honourary doctorate from John Cabot University in Rome. 

Prof. Dr Anne Emile Zaki

Position: Professor of Practical Theology, Evangelical Theological Seminary, Cairo
Bio: Prof. Dr Anne Emile Zaki teaches Practical Theology and preaches at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, where she emphasizes pastoral care, worship, and leadership development. She earned her Ph.D. in homiletics from Fuller Theological Seminary and collaborates with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to support pastoral and worship networks in the Middle East. Born in Cairo into a pastor’s family, she studied internationally, including in Canada and at Calvin College, integrating intercultural and social perspectives into her teaching. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, an M.A. in Social Psychology, and an M.Div. She mentors students and clergy, focusing on contextual theological education, youth ministry, and leadership formation. She is married to Naji Umran and has four children. Her work combines scholarship, pastoral practice, and intercultural engagement to strengthen church leadership and worship practices across diverse cultural contexts.

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay

Position: General Secretary, World Council of Churches
Bio: Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay is General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) since January 2023. A Reformed pastor and member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he previously served as professor of theology at the University of Pretoria, heading the Department of History and Ecclesiology and serving as Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He was President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (2010) and WCC General Secretary (2022). Dr. Pillay mentors emerging leaders, fosters global church unity, and combines scholarship with pastoral leadership. His work focuses on ecclesiology, church history, and ecumenical engagement, supporting transformative theological education and global collaboration among diverse Christian communities. He integrates academic research with practical ministry to address contemporary spiritual, social, and ethical challenges across local and international contexts.

Rev. Antoine AL AHMAR. Lebanon, Maronite. Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Holy Spirit University in Kaslik

Rev. Sally AZAR. Palestine, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Rev. Dr Seforosa Akata CARROLL. Australia, Uniting Church in Australia. Academic Dean and Lecturer in Cross Cultural Ministry and Theology at United Theological College, School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Australia.

Metropolitan Dr Geevarghese MOR COORILOS. India, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All East / Emeritus Associate Professor at the United TheologicalCollege / Member of the WCC Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation (EEF).

Rev. Dr Nathan DIGBY. USA, Disciples of Christ. Dean of Students at Universidad San Francisco de Quito / Member of the WCC Commission on Education andEcumenical Formation (EEF).

Rev. Dr Uzoma Amos DIKE. Nigeria, The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Senior Lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria.

Rev. Katri Tuulia Pauliina HÄRKÖNEN. Finland, Lutheran. Senior Adviser for Theological Education in Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission.

Rev. Dr Graham Gerald McGEOCH. Brazil, Church of Scotland. Professor at Faculdade Unida de Vitoria, Brazil. Mission Secretary of Council for World Mission

Rev. Dr Samuel Efrain MURILLO TORRES. Mexico, Methodist. Director of Shelter for Migrants «Un oasis en medio del Camino» in Mexico.

Rev. Dr Rima NASRALLAH. Lebanon, Reformed. Academic Dean of Near East School of Theology.

Ms Suk-Yi PANG. Hong Kong, The Church of Christ in China. Executive Secretary for Church Unity, Social Justice and Ecumenical Formation in Hong Kong Christian Council / Director ofEcumenical Relations / Member of the WCC Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation (EEF).

Rev. Dr Chad RIMMER. USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rector and Dean at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

Rev. Dr Teddy Chalwe SAKUPAPA. South Africa, Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa Senior Lecturer at the University of the Western Cape. Vice-Moderator, WCC Commission on Education and Formation (EEF).

Dr Vasiliki STATHOKOSTA. Greece, Church of Greece. Professor for Orthodox Theology and the Ecumenical Movement at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Member, WCC Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation (EEF).