Africa Regional Assembly Declared Open ­

„I solemnly declare the assembly to be opened. May the spirit of God lead us in our deliberations!“ With these words the president of the Protestant Church of Cameroon (EEC) and chairperson of the Africa region pasteur Batomen Isaac Henga introduced the following three days of the regional meeting. The Africa Regional Assembly of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) with 48 delegates from Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania meets until Februar 26 under the following theme: "Share the good news: Grace and Faith in Action."

The General Secretary of UEM Rev. Volker Martin Dally said a word of greeting to the international community also on behalf of the new UEM Moderator Dr Willem Simarmata from the church Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) in Indonesia. „In an unequal and increasingly unjust world this regional assembly is a sign of solidarity as a communion of churches in three continents. Grace and Faith in Action. My wish is that we as UEM are especially united in action,“ explained Dally.

The church president Dr Kakule Molo confirmed that the presence of the delegates is an important sign to his church, the Baptist Church in the Centre of Africa (CBCA): „The image of our country is not a good one. The situation is actually bad. There are different militant groups in the Kivu region, ethnic conflicts cause trouble and there are brutal killings from time to time, at least we are in a difficult political situation due to the postponement of elections. But according to Romans 5, verse 20 we always make the experience that the more we are exposed to dangers the more we feel God's protection and proximity. Be assured, my beloved sisters and brothers, as long as you are our guests you will experience the same grace of God as we do.“

Beside the reception of working reports, especially presented by the UEM Africa department, and the sharing of news the delegates of 14 churches will deal with the question on how the churches can make use of the existing resources which may also support the work of UEM. For example by implementing the UEM fundraising campaign called United Action which strengthens the UEM ownership of the member churches in Africa and Asia. By means of presentations the delegates are asked to develop own recommendations for exploring and managing own resources. UEM Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration and Deputy General Secretary Timo Pauler as well as the UEM South-South co-worker and development expert Safari Kanyena who works in the Equatorial region in the West of DR Congo shared their know-how and experiences. In the end the churches shall be encouraged to decrease the dependence on financial support given by the global North and to build-up more sustainable financial structures within their organisation.

During the sharing of news Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara (NWD-ELCT) reported on the impact of the recent earthquake in the Northwestern part of Tanzania. He expressed his gratitude to the UEM communion for all the prayers and immediate financial emergency support. For the first time also a big delegation of the Rhenish Church in South Africa (RCSA) attended the assembly after the UEM General Assembly in 2016 has cleared the way for a full membership. The Moderator of RCSA, Tommy Solomons, conveyed many warm greetings from his church which was proud to change from the associate to member status.

Uli Baege (Office for Partnerships and Projects, UEM Africa department)

Translated by Martina Pauly