Ep. 51 / World Evangelical Alliance Past, Present and Future with Frank Hinkelmann

Headlines often reduce “evangelical” to a U.S. political label, but there is so much more beyond the frame. In this conversation with historian and global church leader Rev. Dr. Frank Hinkelmann, we trace how a revival-born, interdenominational movement became a 140‑country network, why its center now rests in the Global South, and what that means for mission, ethics, and public life. 

Dr. Hinkelmann unpacks the roots of the term "evangelical" for us, the Bebbington markers that still orient identity, and the surprising ways migration and youth engagement are reshaping Europe’s religious map. We dig into the nineteenth‑century birth of the World Evangelical Alliance and its early campaigns for religious freedom, including advocacy before emperors and sultans. 

That history sets the stage for today’s challenges: resisting the temptation to fuse faith with political power, broadening moral vision beyond a narrow set of issues, and keeping conscience, persuasion, and service at the center. Frank offers a European lens on U.S. politicization, urging a clear line between church and state while calling believers to engage the public square with conviction and humility.

For younger listeners wondering how to step in, Frank’s roadmap is simple and actionable: start local, volunteer, cross borders when possible, and build friendships that widen your view of God’s work in the world. 

You can learn more from Rev. Dr. Frank Hinkelmann through his published works, and the World Evangelical Alliance through their website and Facebook.

And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! 

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