What is the UEM?

: The Mission House in Wuppertal, Germany, headquarters of the UEM. photo: UEM

The United Evangelical Mission is an international communion of 34 churches in Africa, Asia and Germany, and the v Bodelschwingh Institutuions Bethel. Its administrative office is in Wuppertal, Germany. The UEM also has regional offices in Africa (Dar-es-Salaam), Asia (Medan) and Germany (Wuppertal). Emerging from the Rhenish Mission Society, founded in 1828, and the Bethel Mission, founded in 1886, which came together in 1971 to form what was known as the Vereinigte Evangelische Mission, the new international UEM has been in existence since 1996.

From the very beginning, the new international UEM followed a holistic and inclusive approach to mission, endeavouring not only to preach the Gospel, but also to support and improve diaconic and medical services, access to education for the people and to promote justice, peace and integrity of creation.

What is the aim of the UEM?

The aim of the member churches of the UEM is to work together as equal partners between North-South and South-South, to strengthen and support each other in their programmes, to share responsibility and experiences with each other, to help people in situations of emergency and conflict and, thereby, to act together in bearing witness to the Word of Reconciliation in Jesus Christ.

What does the UEM do?

The UEM member churches support each other through the exchange of personnel and financial assistance. Particular priorities include diaconal work, combating HIV/Aids, working for the rights of women and children, scholarships, development co-operation, intercultural encounter and project promotion. Peace and human rights work is a specific programme priority.

: The UEM supports income generating projects in the member churches. Photo: Heiner Heine/UEM

Council of the United Evangelical Mission:

Future missionary activities also in Germany

(21.02.2009) On the conclusion of the Council meeting of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), having taken place in Wuppertal from 18 to 21 February, Regine Buschmann, Moderator...

Children at the CBCA. photo: Kakule Molo

Recurring violence in the Eastern du Congo: fearing a humanitarian drama

(4.11.08) Rev. Kakule Molo explains the present situation in the DR Congo.

Brain Drain as a Problem for Development – Church and Public Universities of Tanzania in an Excellence Competition

While in Tanzania an increasing number of church institutions are adversely affected by well-educated staff drifting off to public institutions due to better salaries in such sector, a reverse trend can be identified in the...

Half a million people displaced in fighting in the Philippines

MANILA, 5 September 2008 (IRIN) - Up to 500,000 people are enduring poor health services and unsanitary conditions after fleeing the fighting between the government and Muslim rebels in the south.

Meeting of the Youth Pre-Assembly of the UEM. Photo: Malte Hausmann

Youth Pre Assembly 2008, Borkum 2008

(18/06/08) Eighteen youths from member churches of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) from Africa, Asia and Germany gathered in the Youth Pre-Assembly (YPA) on the Island of Borkum, Germany from 9th – 11th June 2008, to prepare...