As the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) marked its 150th anniversary on Oct. 19, a new publication — “From Before Leipzig to Chiang Mai” — has taken on special meaning for those seeking to reflect, pray and immerse themselves in the Communion’s remarkable journey of faith.
The milestone celebration, filled with gratitude and worship, underscored a central truth woven through WCRC’s history: for a century and a half, the life of the Communion has been guided by the hands of God.
A Living History
In the preface of “From Before Leipzig to Chiang Mai,” the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, WCRC general secretary, explains that it has long been the Communion’s tradition to record its life and mission between General Councils.
“This is the time for us to present a similar document that we would normally entitle ‘From Leipzig to Chiang Mai,’” Nyomi writes. “Since the Chiang Mai General Council coincides with our 150th anniversary, we have decided to add a chapter that revisits our journey prior to our last General Council in Leipzig.”
That addition, he said, is why the publication bears the extended title “From Before Leipzig to Chiang Mai.”
A Cloud of Witnesses
During the anniversary celebration, speakers reflected not only on WCRC’s 150 years but also on another landmark: 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
The Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches and a former WCRC president, reminded those gathered of the shared roots and ongoing unity that connect today’s Reformed churches to the early Christian tradition.
“We celebrate Nicaea,” Pillay said, “because its creed, completed in the second ecumenical council, is virtually universal; because the Reformed faith was and remains in continuity with the church of the first ecumenical councils; and because our growing understanding of the apostolic faith expressed in the Nicene Creed is a path toward Christian unity — toward the visible manifestation of the great cloud of witnesses.”
As the 27th General Council convenes Oct. 14-23 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the theme “Persevere in Your Witness,” WCRC’s history offers not only a retrospective but a challenge — to continue living faithfully and prophetically in the world.
“The accounts given here are all signs that the WCRC and its antecedents have had a long history of perseverance in our witness,” Nyomi writes. “On the basis of the Word of God, we have heeded the call to be prophetic and to be a counterforce to death and destruction — whether in the 19th century or in any of the decades of the 20th century.”
Faith That Endures
The publication is organized into four sections: “Before Leipzig (1875–2017),” “The Making of the WCRC,” “Some Reflections on the Last 150 Years,” and “From Leipzig to Chiang Mai.”
Each section traces the Communion’s response to the challenges of its time — and the call to remain steadfast in faith.
“The powers that stand against our witness are strong,” Nyomi acknowledges. “Sometimes there is the temptation to be discouraged. No matter how committed we are to our witnessing, the challenges simply seem to be compounding, and things are becoming worse.”
That, he says, is precisely where this year’s theme — “Persevere in Your Witness” — comes alive.
“Now, more than ever before, we are called upon to persevere in our faith and witness,” he writes. “We can do no other. It is my hope that the 27th General Council will inspire the WCRC and all its member churches to persevere in faith and witness, and show our perseverance through our actions.”
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As WCRC gathers in Thailand, “From Before Leipzig to Chiang Mai” serves as both historical record and spiritual invitation — a reminder that perseverance is not passive endurance, but active faithfulness to God’s call.
