Nyomi elected interim general secretary

Setri Nyomi is returning to the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) as its interim general secretary.

“Setri Nyomi is a dedicated leader who has been journeying with the Communion for a long time as a continued voice against global economic injustice, ecological destruction, and climate change,” said Najla Kassab, WCRC president. “His coming back will provide strength to the journey of the Communion that is alive in its programs. His pastoral approach and wisdom will deepen communion relations among the churches and secure trust in our ministry together, supported by a capable team in the head offices.”

An extraordinary session of the Executive Committee meeting virtually on 2 November elected Nyomi, who served as general secretary for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and WCRC from April 2000 through August 2014. He will begin his term in January 2024 and serve through the next General Council, to be held in October 2025.

The Collegial General Secretariat (CGS), composed of the WCRC’s executive secretaries, will conclude its responsibilities in providing leadership upon Nyomi’s return. The change in leadership was approved by the Executive Committee at its regular meeting in May 2023, based on a report from a select committee that noted the need “to enhance management, accountability, and capacity at all levels.”

“The WCRC has a major role to play in adding value to its member churches, regional councils, and the Reformed family as well as ecumenical partners more than ever before, especially as we see the world descending into further chaos at several fronts,” said Nyomi. “I am convinced that we have a good team of executive staff and administrative staff to build on the good work that the WCRC has done in the past, and through perseverance to overcome our challenges.”

Having served as general secretary through two General Councils, Nyomi brings extensive experience as the Communion prepares for the 2025 General Council.

Commenting on the potency of the Council’s theme—Persevere in Your Witness—Nyomi said, “This is a good mobilizing theme. Especially as the situation in the world is becoming worse and many people could lose hope, we are being called to trust God and be unwavering in fulfilling what God has called us to do. This is not the time to lose hope, but to persevere in our witness to the Lord Jesus Christ who came so that all may have life in fullness.”

Noting that 2025 will be the 150th anniversary of the WCRC, Nyomi said he looked forward to joining the preparations already underway, “working as a team with staff colleagues, the officers and Executive Committee, leadership of our regional councils, and with the General Council Planning Committee to execute a very good General Council in Chiang Mai, Thailand, that will give us new marching orders into a future in which the WCRC is well placed to be a leader in the ecumenical movement especially in the area of justice.”

Nyomi received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1978; a Certificate of Training for the Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Ghana, in 1980; a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Yale University Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, in 1981; and a Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, in 1991.

He was ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ghana in August 1980 and served as parish pastor in both Ghana and the USA. He taught pastoral theology and homiletics at Trinity Theological Seminary in Legon, Ghana, in the 1990s.

After concluding as WCRC general secretary, Nyomi has taught in Princeton Theological Seminary (USA) and the University of Göttingen (Germany). He was also the chairman of the University Council of the Evangelical Presbyterian University College in Ho, Ghana, from 2015 to 2023. He is currently a senior lecturer in Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Ghana, and the district pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Accra New Town, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

He is married to Akpene Esther Nyomi (pictured above); they have three adult children, two of whom are married. They have four grand children.

The Reformed Ecumenical Council and WARC came together at the 2010 Uniting General Council to form the WCRC.