27/03/2026
Dear WSCF sisters and brothers,
Warm greetings from the Inter-Regional Office.
I write to inform you of an important development in the life of our global fellowship. On 19 March 2026, the Executive Committee convened and discerned the appointment of interim leadership to guide WSCF in the period leading to the next General Assembly.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ:
-๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ (๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐) ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง
-๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐ฅ (๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐) ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐จ-๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง
Both will serve one-year terms, accompanying the fellowship until the next General Assembly.
These appointments follow a thorough and participatory process led by the Search Committee. The Committee was appointed by the Executive Committee (ExCo) at its meeting on 14 November 2025, with the mandate to facilitate the search and discernment process for interim global leadership positions within WSCF.
The Committee was tasked with identifying suitable candidates and presenting recommendations to the Executive Committee for the positions of Interim Chairperson and Interim CoโVice Chairperson.
The Search Committee members were:
Agge Angusson โ Executive Committee, Europe
Jacquelyn Tsai-Hsun Tsao โ Executive Committee, Asia-Pacific
Ebere Ubesie โ Honorary Treasurer
Chris Ferguson โ Senior Friend
Pavlina Steiner โ Vice-Chair
The committee received 6 candidates for Chairperson and 3 candidates for Co-Vice Chairperson, through nominations and regional endorsements. The interview process carefully assessed each candidateโs vision, leadership experience, understanding of WSCF operations, communication skills, and ability to support the work of the Inter-Regional Office.
Following this process, candidates were shortlisted to 4 for Chairperson and 2 for Co-Vice Chairperson, before final recommendations were presented to the Executive Committee.
๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ:
Interim Chairperson
Reverend Dr. Samuel Mal brings extensive experience in ecumenical leadership and theological education. He is a Doctor of Theology (Christian Theology) from the United Theological College, Bengaluru. He is an assistant professor with regular engagement with students and has a strong background in the Student Christian Movement in India, with broad endorsement from the Asia Pacific region.
A priest and contextual theologian, he has over 11 years of experience across local, regional, and global contexts. His work includes theological education, training programs, grassroots ecclesial engagement, and ecumenical collaboration. He is deeply committed to inclusive leadership grounded in contextual theologies, with particular focus on Dalit liberation, gender justice, economic justice, and addressing religious nationalism. He is married and a proud parent.
Interim Co-Vice Chairperson
Emil Andreas Bellen Nordahl is a theology student from the Norwegian SCM and currently serves as Vice Chair of SCM Norway, where he has gained experience in organizational leadership and budget oversight.
He is studying at the MF Norwegian School of Theology and aspires to ordained ministry in the Church of Norway. Since 2020, he has been actively involved in various church roles, including church verger, substitute priest, and youth leader. Known for his solution-oriented and compassionate approach, he brings strong experience in governance, leadership, and volunteer engagement.
I warmly welcome Rev. Dr. Samuel Mal and Emil Andreas Bellen Nordahl as they take on these interim roles at a significant moment in our journey. Their gifts, perspectives, and commitment to justice, ecumenism, and student ministry will help guide WSCF with clarity and hope as we prepare for the next General Assembly.
I also extend my deep gratitude to all candidates and to the Search Committee for their dedication and work throughout this process.
Let us accompany our new leaders with our prayers, solidarity, and active engagement in the life of the federation
In solidarity,
Marcelo Leites
General Secretary
World Student Christian Federation
