Successful Stories and Challenges of Mission within Rural Areas

As reported by the Rev Dr Muke Nagaju, head of the UEM Regional Office, from 11^th to 16^th September, the UEM Africa Regional office organized a workshop of pastors from rural areas which held in Rwanda in the Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR Cyangugu). Twenty (20) participants from UEM member churches attended the seminar. UEM rural churches capitalize on this factor of hosting social projects addressing the basic needs ( health, education, improved hygiene, basic human rights etc.) of the community that attract the attention of the whole community, especially in the remotest areas of the world. The focus of this workshop was to share successful stories and challenges faced in the mission rural areas. In addition to the sharing, the following topics were presented and discussed. This includes, Mission strategies and the rural churches; Mission and discipleship and Entrepreneurship skills. After an enriching discussion and listening to the mentioned topics presented by different facilitators, we realized that pastors working in the rural areas faced many challenges that sometimes discourage them and their families. Despite all the identified common challenges, participants realized that the mission work done by the first missionaries started in the rural areas. This means that the churches in the rural areas are the mothers of all churches in the big cities. It was also reminded that missionaries’ strategies in rural areas provided education centers (schools), health centers and church buildings. But they also learnt various local languages and translated bibles in local languages in order to spread the Gospel. In addition, we realized that there are new strategies of doing mission in the rural set up. These includes the vision and action plan of the pastor for his/her parish which should be shared and known by all congregants. The pastor is still a social agent, responsible of educating the community to design a strategy by defining where they come from, want to go and reflect together on finding means to reach their goals.

Find the causes of challenges faced in the church and find ways to overcome the situations. Involve people to understand their challenges.
Make strategies to address these challenges and plan together with Christians and church elders
Empower people to different issues regarding their development
Prioritize demands/things to do according to the needs
Search for partners and work close with them
Work hard towards objectives set
To find their resources and available opportunities around their local areas in order to achieve their goals and vision.

Participants thanked UEM for having organized such seminar of pastors from rural areas. It was recommended to ensure a regular follow up to assess the achieved results. Report summarized by the Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, UEM Africa Executive Secretary