Joel Nigel Patrick Edwards CBE (1951 – 30 June 2021) was a Jamaican-born British writer, broadcaster, consultant, international speaker on a range of areas including racial justice, leadership, religious freedom and bible teaching.
He made history in 1997 when he became the first Black Pentecostal to become General Director of the United Kingdom's Evangelical Alliance[1] from 1997 until 2009.
In 2015, Edwards was appointed Strategic Advisor at Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)[6] working with the Strategic Leadership Team, Board and staff to explore the relationship between the persecuted Church, freedom of religion or belief and wider human rights.
[7] In the 2019 New Year Honours, Edwards was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to tackling poverty and injustice.
[8] On the morning of 30 June 2021, his family confirmed his death from cancer via a letter Edwards had written:[3] Dear friends, This is to say a final goodbye.