At its fall meeting the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board took a number of significant actions, including approval of up to $1.5 million in funding for a greatly expanded response to the crisis in Nigeria; authorizing marketing of the Brethren Service Center property in New Windsor, Md.; and approval of a budget for denominational ministries in 2015. Chair Becky Ball-Miller led the meeting on Oct. 17-20 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Emergency Disaster Fund
Grants Support BDM Project Site in New Jersey, War Recovery in Gaza, Ebola Response in Liberia
The Brethren Disaster Ministries staff is directing a total of $54,000 from the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to the disaster rebuilding project at Toms River, N.J., war recovery work by the Shepherd Society in Gaza, and the fight against the spread of Ebola in Liberia. An allocation of $40,000 continue funding
Nigerian and American Brethren Continue Aid to Those Displaced by Violence, MMB Members to Engage in Advocacy for Nigeria
Efforts continue by Nigerian and American Brethren to aid those displaced by violence in northeastern Nigeria, where news media report continued fighting and EYN members report more attacks in which members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) were abducted or killed.
Newsline Special: ‘EYN Is Severely Damaged’ Nigerian Brethren Leader Reports
‘EYN is severely damaged’ reports Nigerian Brethren church president Samuel Dali. Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries this week have received new reports from Samuel Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
EYN Leaders Visit Refugee Camps, Pilot Relocation Project Starts
Over the past couple of weeks, leaders and staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared about the hardships faced by Brethren and others fleeing the violence in northeast Nigeria, and the struggle of EYN and its leadership in the midst of the crisis. The news has come through reports to Church of the Brethren staff in the US, and piecemeal through brief e-mails, calls, texts, and Facebook posts.
Disaster Grant of $100,000 Is Directed to Nigeria
Brethren Disaster Ministries is directing a grant of $100,000 to provide for the basic needs of displaced Nigerians and other needs in Nigeria, where members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as well as families of EYN denominational staff are among the thousands of people who have fled violence.
Global Mission and Service, BDM Provide Emergency Aid to Nigerian Brethren as EYN Denominational Staff Flee Insurgent Advance
In scattered reports received piecemeal by e-mail, text, and Facebook since the weekend, it appears that most if not all the denominational staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and their families have left the EYN headquarters as Boko Haram insurgents advance on the area.
Global Mission and Service, Brethren Disaster Ministries Provide Emergency Aid to Nigerian Brethren as EYN Denominational Staff Flee Insurgent Advance
In scattered reports received piecemeal by e-mail, text, and Facebook since the weekend, it appears that most if not all the denominational staff of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and their families have left the EYN headquarters as Boko Haram insurgents advance on the area.
Prayer Is Requested as EYN Temporarily Closes Kulp Bible College in Face of Boko Haram Advance
Prayer is requested for the students and staff of Kulp Bible College (KBC), and the leadership of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), as the decision has been made to temporarily close the college. Students will be leaving for other areas of the country, and headquarters staff also may be making ready to leave as Boko Haram forces advance to within 50 kilometers of the EYN headquarters.
Grant Goes to IMA World Health Appeal for Ebola Emergency
Brethren Disaster Ministries is directing an allocation of $15,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to an IMA World Health appeal for support of Ebola health workers in Liberia. The grant is funding work carried out through the Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL).