_{Louis Wade, Jr., new Senator of Churches and Janelle Chanona, Reappointed as NGO Senator}

Rev. Louis Wade, Jr. has been appointed Senator for the Churches, while Janelle Chanona will continue to serve as Senator for NGOs.

By Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 19, 2025

The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) announced on Tuesday, March 18, that Reverend Louis Wade, Jr. has been appointed as the new Senator representing the churches—a position previously held by Bishop Alvin Benguche.

“I am humbled by the support from the church family and the nation. A couple of weeks ago, one of the leaders approached me and asked me if I would be willing, if they submitted my name, to assist the church in this way. I said that I would prayerfully consider it, and then I said yes,” Wade said.

Wade’s appointment followed consultations held by the NEAB, the Belize Council of Churches, and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches, and was endorsed by over 240 pastors throughout the country.

“This is my first time but [working] closely with the previous senator. Senator Benguche has done an excellent job in representing the church. I believe that he has set an excellent standard, not just in his presentations, but also behind the scenes working with the other social partners and senators. He consulted with other church leaders to ensure that when he spoke, the church was united on the issues he presented. I intend to learn from him and follow in his footsteps,” Wade commented.

Wade highlighted that during his tenure as Church Senator, he intends to find the heart of God in the various issues that are to arise.

“One of the reasons that I was asked to fill this post is because there are certain issues that the church believes will come up, that there is the need for a strong representation of the church’s perspective …  the church needs to ensure that it has the opportunity to work freely as it educates the children, as it is the moral compass for the nation, as it speaks as the conscience of Belize, protecting Christian values, traditional values, and the values and culture of the Belizean people as a whole,” he noted.

While Rev. Wade will be the new Church Senator, Janelle Chanona, who has been the NGO Senator since 2022, will retain her position.  

“It is really gratitude and acknowledgment from the registered NGOs in good standing, and just being grateful for the opportunity to serve as their voice of power in the corners of power,” she reflected in remarks she made upon being reappointed. “We are trying in every way, shape, and form to reiterate our commitment to collaboration, pooling resources, our voices, strengths, and making sure that pays dividends, particularly for marginalized people, specifically Belizeans as a whole,” Chanona added.

Chanona said she’ll continue the good governance agenda, during this second term as the NGOs are held to the highest standard.

“We are committed to a good governance agenda. NGOs have said [that] we are held to a certain standard as NGOs. We have been speaking this morning at length about accountability and transparency, and [we] are among those groups held to the highest account and responsibility. We need to see that reflected. What we are witnessing, beyond the attacks on freedom, justice, and liberty every day, perhaps on rights we took for granted, [we’re] seeing a commitment to protecting and enhancing those rights moving forward,” she said.