Sharing About and Listening to God
The New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) works with Christians in war-torn southern Sudan as it continues in a long civil war with the Muslim-controlled north. Currently three denominational mission staff working under the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships Office serve in key positions with the NSCC. Brethren Faith Expeditions have also traveled to Sudan recently, and in February 2000 a Bible in the Nuer language, made possible with the assistance of Brethren translators, was officially launched.
$155,000 will support this major ministry focus of the General Board for one year.
Contact Global Mission Partnerships at 1-800-323-8039 for more information.
Dominican Republic Mission Coordinator
This ministry is to provide accompaniment and support for the Dominican church during this time in their formation and development. It is to serve as a bridge facilitating the edifying of relationships between Brethren in the US/Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic. This work was initiated in 1999 by the General Board in response to a request made by the Dominican church. Included in this ministry are the mission coordinator'(s) salary, benefits, transportation, schooling, and ministry related supplies. Jerry and Becky Baile Crouse are currently serving.
$89,000 will support this total effort for one year
Contact Global Mission Partnerships at 1-800-323-8039 for more information.
The Nigeria church relationship began in 1923, growing out of early mission efforts. Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria-EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) became an independent and autonomous church in 1972. In 2001, the Nigerian church is believed to be larger than the US church, with over 150,000 members in 424 congregations.
As sister churches, the Nigerian and US churches seek to nurture a faith-centered relationship that both nurtures and challenges each church and its members to live in faithful discipleship in our differing contexts. From the US side this partnership ministry consists of financial support, especially for leader training, exchange visits, an annual workcamp, and providing a few persons to serve in specific teaching and consulting roles.
Significant ministries include:
John and Janet Tubbs (Rocky Ford, CO) serve as mission coordinators in Nigeria, guiding this ministry and administering the US side of the partnership. They are based in Jos, Plateau State. They have served in Nigeria since 1995, having served at Mason Technical School in Garkida, and previously in the Pastoral Exchange.
$74,000 will fund this cluster of ministries with the Nigerian church for one year.
$4000 will provide building materials for one workcamp.
$300 provides the monthly support for a teacher at the Secondary School.
See also: Nigeria-Kulp Bible College, Nigeria-Church Leader Development.
Contact Global Mission Partnerships at 1-800-323-8039 for more information.
The Brethren Mission House is to provide long-term volunteer teachers of English as a second language in each of the congregations of the Dominican church (La Iglesia de los Hermanos en la Republica Dominicana). This ministry is a joint effort between the General Board, the Brethren Revival Fellowship, and the Dominican church. Brethren Revival Fellowship will provide 75 percent of the funding, and the General Board will provide 25 percent of the funding for this ministry. Participants in the program from the DR will be asked to fund their books and a portion of the travel/meals expense of the volunteer teacher who is serving in their midst.
This project was initiated in May of 2000 after a request of leaders in the Dominican church, with the calling of a couple to serve as house parents for the Brethren Mission House (BMH). Two houses have been rented for the BMH in the city of Azua. A teacher trainer/coordinator and four volunteer ESL teachers are serving through Brethren Volunteer Service. The vision is that the ESL training will be provided as a ministry in the Dominican congregations to help equip their membership with English language skills while at the same time providing another outreach ministry for these congregations to the communities they serve.
$16,100 is the full annual share committed by the General Board to this work.
Contact Global Mission Partnerships at 1-800-323-8039 for more information.
The Brethren Witness office offers opportunities to see the world up close and personal through a series of Faith Expeditions. These trips have varying purposes — from helping others build a better life, to gaining understanding of peace and justice concerns, to exploring God's creation in order to live as better stewards. In each instance, these experiences invite people to step out of their comfort zone and learn to know other Christians from around the denomination and world. They will experience life as it is lived in settings quite different from their own and to deepen their faith in the process. And in each case, there will be a chance to visit significant Church of the Brethren mission sites – BVS locations, hunger relief projects, new church developments, peace and justice ministry sites. The majority of the very reasonable costs are covered by participants.
$2,500 will fund the entire planning and logistics process for this ministry.
$750 will organize one life-changing trip to share faith and seek peace.
Contact Brethren Witness at 1-800-323-8039 for more information.
The first Youth Peace Travel Team was formed for the summer of 1991 as a cooperative effort of a number of General Board programs. The team, jointly sponsored by the General Board's Brethren Witness office, On Earth Peace, and Outdoor Ministries Association, Washington Office, and Brethren Volunteer Service, spends the summer traveling to Brethren camps and leading activities related to peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
$3,000 will cover the General Board's share of this important ministry for one year.
Contact Brethren Witness at 1-800-323-8039 to learn more about the Youth Peace Travel Team ministry and opportunities.
The General Board at its March 2001 meeting affirmed and approved a new church planting effort in the South American country of Brazil.
Contact the Global Mission Partnerships office for more details.