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Who we are

Many Churches, one Communion

The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) is an international and equitable communion with 39 members, including 38 Protestant churches in Africa, Asia, and Germany, plus the v. Bodelschwingh Foundations Bethel.
The UEM is steadfast in its pursuit of a holistic understanding of mission.

United in Mission:

We live in a world torn apart. Some live in abundance, others have fewer rights and not enough to live on. People become isolated, relationships and community are lost, and the social and natural foundations of our lives are increasingly destroyed.

Knowing that we are all members of the body of Christ, we follow his example and invite people into a learning, serving and praying communion across continents and cultures. In following him, we work for a more just, peaceful world, the integrity of creation, and the sharing of the Gospel so that all people may enjoy life in abundance.

We translate this belief into the following 5 areas of work:

Advocacy
Because we believe that human beings are created in the image of God and therefore have inalienable dignity and rights:
   we promote and defend human rights
   we support initiatives to solve conflicts peacefully
   we join efforts to achieve just economic conditions and good governance
   we strive for the protection of the environment

Diaconia
Because we confess that all human beings are created in the image of God:
we support international qualification programmes for diaconal workers
we work to improve peoples’ living conditions, especially those with special needs
we strive to improve medical care and promote physical and psychological health for all people
we support churches as they assist people in need as a result of human or natural disasters

Development
Because we are convinced that God's love continues to empower people:
we support programs that empower men, women and youth
we carry out international training programmes
we offer scholarships for higher education
we build capacity in our member churches
we contribute to overcoming poverty in all its forms

Evangelism
Because we believe in the gospel as God's power of salvation and renewal:
we jointly strengthen our spiritual life and develop and promote evangelistic projects to share the gospel with all people and invite them to trust in Christ
we promote joint programmes
we promote dialogue and theological exchange
we encourage and support our members to learn mutual and respectful ways of encountering people of other faiths

Partnership
Because we understand ourselves as parts of the one body of Christ:
we foster and support various forms of partnership among our members, based on respect, mutuality, and transparency
we facilitate exchange visits for staff, experts, and volunteers
we create partnership networks to open up and strengthen multilateral relations

Here you will find UEM and its members

What "United in Mission" means to us?

The UEM in its present form emerged from the work of the Rhenish Mission, the Bethel Mission and the Zaire Mission. Our 39 members today are Protestant churches in Africa, Asia and Germany and the von Bodelschwingh Foundations Bethel, which have been working together on an equal footing since 1996. All members from Africa, Asia and Germany have the same rights when it comes to financial and political decisions within the organization. The expression of this equality is the Council, which is composed on the basis of parity, and the General Assembly of the UEM, which is composed according to the delegate principle and in which our African and Asian members form the majority. The holistic understanding of mission adopted by all churches and members at the launching of the international UEM is part of the constitution of the UEM.

Our Christian mission in our three regions of Africa, Asia, and Germany is also reflected in our logo. More information about us you will find in our annual report 2023.