Council for World Mission Selects Next General Secretary
The general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands has been selected to serve as the next general secretary of the Council for World Mission.
The Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan, whose appointment CWM said "comes at a critical time," will begin his new role at the start of 2011.
In his acceptance speech to CWM's trustees during their meeting in Hong Kong, Cowan expressed gratitude for the organization's vote of confidence in calling him to the position.
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Cowan, 52, said he intends to promote a "partnership of peace" and would be committed to making CWM an "agent of peace-making."
He also welcomed the opportunity to develop a close-knit working team with existing staff at CWM and paid tribute to the present general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Des van der Water, who completes his term at the end of 2010.
According to CWM, Cowan's appointment comes at a "critical time" for the organization as it is undertaking a major review of its life, work and mission. Its trustees are currently discussing a new strategy that will take CWM forward into the next decade.
In his new role, Cowan will be looking to spearhead the implementation of the strategy alongside CWM's 31 member churches worldwide.
Established in 1977, CWM is a worldwide community of mostly Reformed Christian churches. It grew out of the London Missionary Society, the Commonwealth (Colonial) Missionary Society and the Presbyterian Board of Missions.
