The Council for World Mission (CWM) held a memorial service on 20 August at its Singapore office to honour the life and legacy of Rev. Dr Peter Cruchley, former CWM Mission Secretary for Mission Development. Staff from all three CWM offices gathered to pay tribute to his profound impact on the organisation and the wider ecumenical community.
Cruchley, who passed away on 15 August at the age of 59, joined CWM in 2016 before moving to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2022, where he served as Director of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME).
The hourlong service, led by Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler, CWM Mission Secretary for Education and Empowerment, included prayers, reflections, and eulogies. Attendees included Cruchley’s widow, Mrs Lena Cruchley, and Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC Programme Director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation and former CWM Mission Secretary, who joined via video link.
The memorial featured heartfelt eulogies from colleagues. CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum remembered Cruchley as a close comrade and prophetic voice in the struggle for justice:
“Peter was one of my closest comrades in our struggle against racism and colonialism. I truly appreciate his contributions to the journey towards decolonisation and the legacies of slavery in CWM. The organisation will continue to live out and embody his missiological creativity and commitment towards the liberation of creation.”
Born to missionary parents of the London Missionary Society (LMS), CWM’s predecessor, Cruchley spent his formative years in Zambia. This cross-cultural upbringing shaped his global outlook and empathetic approach to mission.
His journey with CWM began with the Training in Mission (TIM) programme (1987–1988), which he often described as foundational to his theological perspective and missional calling.
He made a significant contribution to CWM through his pioneering leadership of the Legacies of Slavery Project, now known as The Onesimus Project (TOP).
An ordained minister of the United Reformed Church (URC) and a gifted mission theologian, Cruchley published extensively on contextual mission, ecumenism, decolonisation, postmodernity, and whiteness. His deep insight, prophetic witness, and ability to speak the truth in love have been valuable contributions to CWM’s theological vision in recent years.
The service concluded with words of gratitude from Lena Cruchley, who shared:
“Peter never fully believed me when I told him how special he and his work were. Seeing the recognition that he has received today is a great comfort to me and the rest of the family. Thank you.”
