Church of the Brethren Newsline
April 14, 2017
By Jay Wittmeyer
The Church of the Brethren has granted $100,000 to Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) to support the church rebuilding efforts of EYN members. The grants will be given to 20 churches at $5,000 a piece.
Following is the initial list of Local Church Councils (LCC) receiving these grants, listed under their District Church Councils (DCC):
— In DCC Biu: LCC Kwaya Kusar
— In DCC Shaffa: LCC Shaffa No. 1
— In DCC Kwajaffa: LCC Tashan Alade, LCC Kirbuku
— In DCC Gombi: LCC Gombi No. 1, LCC Gombi No. 2
— In DCC Mubi: LCC Giima, LCC Lokuwa
— In DCC Gashala: LCC Bakin Rijiya
— In DCC Uba: LCC Uba No. 1, LCC Uba No. 2
— In DCC Whatu: LCC Whatu
— In DCC Vi: LCC Vi No. 1
— In DCC Michika: LCC Michika No. 1, LCC Lughu
— In DCC Askira: LCC Askira No. 1, Askira No. 2.
— In DCC Gulak: LCC Gulak No. 1.
— In DCC Ribawa: LCC Muva
— In DCC Bikama: LCC Betso
The leadership of EYN set several criteria in managing the grants. It excluded areas that are still too volatile to safely rebuild, including Gwoza, Chibok, Wagga, and Madagali. It decided to support the rebuilding of bigger churches, so that once they are rebuilt, they would in turn be able to support the rebuilding of the smaller churches. Some churches in Borno State may be rehabilitated through funds from the state.
For smaller churches, the $5,000 will purchase a roof of metal and tin, while the walls can be constructed with local materials.
The Church of the Brethren has two primary mechanisms for fundraising for Nigeria: the Nigeria Crisis Fund, which is directed toward humanitarian relief; and the Church Rebuilding Fund, which assists EYN to rebuild its churches.
— Jay Wittmeyer is executive director of Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren.
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