Chandigarh 27 August 2026: The 1st Joint Assembly of World Pastors was held in New Delhi on 13 August 2026, bringing together Christian leaders to raise awareness about religious freedom and human-rights concerns affecting people experiencing religious persecution.
The international assembly was organized by seven religious organizations, including the Council for Christian Mutual Growth, the Korea Christian Leaders Training Institute, the Pastors Alliance for Life and Human Rights, the Russian Evangelical Alliance, and the Thai Evangelical Alliance Association. The event was held simultaneously around the world, including in Korea and India, bringing together Christian leaders across national and regional boundaries. Around 3,000 pastors from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and other regions of the world attended both online and offline. As part of the Assembly, the New Delhi gathering brought together key Christian pastors and leaders from across the city to discuss concerns surrounding persecution and religious freedom, and to consider the responsibility of Christian leaders to defend the rights and dignity of people of all faiths.
The programme was presided over and conducted by Anil Kumar Masih of New Testament Church, who served as the Presider and Master of Ceremony.
The theme of persecution as part of the Christian life was central to the programme.
Participants reflected on challenges faced by believers because of their faith and discussed the importance of standing together in support of religious freedom, human dignity, and the fundamental rights of all people.
A special video presentation focused on the case of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, whose detention in South Korea has drawn international attention. A Korean War veteran and internationally recognized peace advocate, he has spent decades promoting peace-building and interfaith dialogue, working with communities and religious leaders around the world.
According to a report by Human Rights Without Frontiers, concerns have been raised regarding the detention of the 95-year-old religious leader, particularly in relation to proportionality, humanitarian considerations, due process, and freedom of religion or belief. International organisations have called for fundamental rights to be protected equally and for legal measures concerning religious minorities to remain neutral and proportionate.
Another expression of international concern over Chairman Lee’s detention came from Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter. He said South Korea “has crossed a worrying line” by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that the Mandela Rules would favour house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as “legally and conceptually overstretched” and warned of growing pressure on minority faiths.
The video presentation encouraged participants to look beyond an individual case and consider the broader importance of defending freedom of religion or belief and the human rights of people of all religions, particularly those experiencing persecution or discrimination, or pressure because of their religious beliefs.
Toward the conclusion of the 1st Joint Assembly of World Pastors, the participating pastors took part in a joint petition signing to express their solidarity with the cause of defending religious freedom and addressing human-rights violations faced by people of faith amidst persecution.
The initiative also aims to build a wider association of 1,000 Christian members, united in solidarity and committed to contributing to greater awareness and support for the protection of religious freedom and the human rights of believers.
The signing marked an important step towards strengthening collective Christian leadership and encouraging greater participation in efforts to uphold religious freedom and human dignity.
The New Delhi assembly emphasised the responsibility of Christian leaders to remain aware of human-rights violations affecting believers and to respond peacefully and responsibly to issues of religious persecution. The discussion also highlighted the humanitarian concerns surrounding the detention of a 95-year-old religious leader, emphasizing the importance of due process, human dignity, and equal rights, while lawful alternatives to detention for elderly individuals are considered.
A spokesperson for the assembly stated, “This New Delhi assembly served as a critical milestone for pastors to speak with one voice against the human rights violations experienced by religious minorities and believers. We will continue to carry out solidarity activities dedicated to defending religious freedom and human dignity.”
The joint petition and the assembly as a whole reflected a shared commitment to raising awareness, defending religious freedom, and promoting respect for the human dignity and rights of all believers.
