(01/04/2008)The Evangelical Church of Westphalia (EKvW) is increasing its »regular subsidy to the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) by 500,000 Euros as additional project funding for the member churches. The subsidy to the UEM is thereby increased to 2.5 million Euros. This means that, in principle, all project assistance for the UEM member churches is covered«. The decision of the church board was communicated in a letter from Oberkirchenrat Dr Ulrich Möller to the General Secretary of the UEM, Dr Fidon Mwombeki, in mid-March.

 
Up to now, the Westphalian Church had co-ordinated its bilateral project support for the UEM member churches, with which it has especially strong traditional ties, with those with the relevant responsibility within the UEM. This additional project funding shall, in future, be administered directly by the UEM and the member churches concerned.

The Westphalian Church hopes that this decision will consolidate and improve not only multilateral co-operation, but also the bilateral project support within the UEM.

 
Furthermore, the church board decided to allocate 500,000 Euros to the UEM Foundation. The EKvW will also allocate an additional 500,000 Euros if another UEM member church contributes an equivalent sum within three years. The Westphalian Church hopes that this offer will simultaneously motivate other UEM member churches to allocate a similar amount.

 
In the letter, Oberkirchenrat Möller states that through these two far-reaching decisions, the Evangelical Church of Westphalia wishes to »send out a clear message of the financial support and empowerment of the UEM and its future direction«. The EKvW is thereby making a significant contribution to safeguarding the long-term working capacity of the UEM. The letter goes on to say that the decisions are also an expression of confidence in the future of the UEM and a sign of the commitment of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia.

 
In October 2004, the UEM General Assembly decided to set up a Foundation, in order to safeguard the core tasks of mission work in the future. The purpose of the Foundation is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through preaching the Word and practical assistance.

 
The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) is a Communion of Churches in three continents. It developed out of the work of three German mission societies: the Rhenish Mission, the Bethel Mission and the Zaire Mission. Today, all 33 member churches and the v. Bodelschwingh Institutions participate with equal rights in the concerns and decisions of the Communion, an important hallmark of the UEM. The Evangelical Church of Westphalia is a member church of the United Evangelical Mission.