The Global Mission and Service office is sharing a letter from Samuel Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), about the Christmas celebrations of the Nigerian Brethren that were held despite the constant threat of violence from the Boko Haram extremist Islamist sect. Excerpts from the letter follow below.
Global Missions
Service Sunday 2014 Will Focus on Serving God by Serving All
The theme for the Church of the Brethren’s observance of Service Sunday 2014 is “Serving God by Serving All” inspired by John 12: 26, “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me” (The Message version).
Church of the Brethren Member Leads Peace Training in Democratic Republic of Congo
Church of the Brethren member Cliff Kindy, who also has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), visited Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Dec. 14-23. This was not Kindy’s first visit to the Congo, where he has traveled with CPT. This trip was made at the request of pastor Ron Lubungo and the Brethren in the DRC.
Church of the Brethren Aids Refugees in South Sudan, Some Mission Staff Leave the Country
“We’re actively purchasing supplies for distribution to refugees” in South Sudan, reports Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren. One of three Brethren mission workers remains in South Sudan, while two have left the country, after violence broke out shortly before Christmas. The violence is linked to a coup attempt by a recently deposed vice president, and fears of the exacerbation of ethnic tensions in the nation.
Brethren Attend Echo Caribbean Conference in the DR, GFCF Manager Assesses Situation of Haitian Dominicans
Brethren representatives from the Dominican Republic and the United States were part of an ECHO Caribbean conference this fall, including Jeff Boshart, manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF).
Dominican Republic Court Ruling from the International Perspective
By Doris Abdullah, Church of the Brethren representative to the United Nations: The Sept. 25 Dominican Republic court ruling denies Dominican nationality to children of undocumented migrants who have been born or registered in the country after 1929 and who do not have at least one parent of Dominican blood. This comes under a 2010 constitutional clause declaring these people to be either in the country illegally or in transit.
A Passion for Teaching God’s Word: Interview with Mission Workers Carl and Roxane Hill
An interview with Church of the Brethren mission workers Carl and Roxane Hill by Zakariya Musa of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)
Zach Wolgemuth Resigns as Associate Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries
Zach Wolgemuth has resigned as associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. He has served in this position, working out of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., for almost eight years.
Kathy Fry-Miller to lead Children’s Disaster Services
Kathy Fry-Miller has been named associate director of Children’s Disaster Services, a Church of the Brethren program that is part of Brethren Disaster Ministries. Since 1980, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation.
Leading EYN Through Its Most Difficult Time: An Interview with Samuel Dante Dali
Samuel Dante Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), attended the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly as delegate for the Nigerian Brethren. Here he talks about the increase of terrorist violence in northeast Nigeria where members of EYN have been among the many killed in attacks by extremist Islamists.