According to leaders of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), as reported by Markus Gamache, director of the Lifeline Compassionate Global Initiatives (LCGI), the 2015 Nigerian General Elections were more peaceful, and more people were able to vote than ever expected. Yes, there were sporadic incidents of violence around the country, but not the massive violence many had feared.
Brethren Disaster Ministries
‘They Called to Us to Come Closer’: An Interview with a Chibok Girl Who Escaped
On the night of April 14, 2014, Hauwa was in her room at school when she heard voices outside. When she looked outside she saw soldiers coming toward their dormitory. “They called to us to come closer,” Hauwa recalls. “When we got closer to the men, they asked us where our teachers were. When we told them that our teachers were staying in town, they wanted us to show them where the food was being stored. It became clear to us that these men were not soldiers but Boko Haram. We were all very frightened. Before we realized what was happening, they began shoving us into cars and driving us away.”
Trip to Nigeria Yields Testimonies of Thanks for Support from American Brethren
This report from Roxane and Carl Hill’s recent trip to Nigeria highlights testimonies about how the aid of the Church of the Brethren is appreciated by members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Carl and Roxane Hill are co-directors of the Nigeria Crisis Response of the Church of the Brethren.
Nigerian BEST Group, Women’s Fellowship Choir to Be at Annual Conference, Tour Districts
Two Nigerian Brethren groups will be attending the 2015 Annual Conference and touring in the eastern and midwestern districts from June 22-July 16. Lancaster (Pa.) Church of the Brethren is the sponsoring congregation. A 2015 EYN Planning Committee includes members from Lancaster and two other Pennsylvania churches: Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren and Mountville Church of the Brethren.
Giving to Nigeria Crisis Fund Tops $1 Million, Staff Provide Summary of Accomplishments
Donations of more than $1,061,400 have been posted to the Nigeria Crisis Fund, from October 2014 through part of Feb. 2015, received from individuals, congregations, and other groups.
Nigerian Brethren Leaders Visit Refugees in Cameroon
Leaders of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and the manager of the EYN Disaster Team traveled to Cameroon last week to visit and support Nigerian refugees who have fled across the border into the neighboring country. This camp hosts more than 30,000 refugees mainly from Gwoza Local Government Area.
‘Together for Nigeria’ Event in Michigan Raises Funds, Brings Attention to the Crisis
In the fall last year, Tim Joseph conceived the idea of holding a big event at Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren on Jan. 31 as a fundraiser for the Nigeria Crisis Fund. The struggle that the Nigerian Brethren are undergoing right now may be the biggest crisis the Church of the Brethren movement has ever suffered, particularly considering the sheer number of people involved, the number of churches destroyed, the number of deaths. Of course we should do all we can to send aid.
Nigerian Initiative Declares ‘Education Must Continue’
Paul* and his wife, Becky* have a passion for the education of displaced children in Nigeria. They are members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and have started an organization called “Education Must Continue.” Their main goal is to get displaced children back in school. They know the value of a good education and what it means for the future of these children and the country of Nigeria. *Full names have been omitted for security purposes.
Jenn Dorsch Begins as Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries
The Church of the Brethren has hired Jenn Dorsch of Frederick, Md., as director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, beginning February 24, 2015. Most recently she has been part-time interim program assistant in the Brethren Disaster Ministries office at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., while also working part-time at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren as director of communications.
Tina Christian to Be Gulf Coast Coordinator for Children’s Disaster Services
Tina Christian has been named as the new part-time Gulf Coast coordinator for Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries. She will serve as an independent contractor committed to the ecumenical mission of CDS in the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast project of CDS is a partnership between the Church of the Brethren and the Disciples of Christ.