11 November, 2007
EWI Mission Report (Continued from last week)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Moravian Church began its outreach mission to the Dominican Republic in 1907. They merged with the Methodists and Presbyterians in 1960 to form the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana. The EWI province is seeking to establish a relationship with them.
BOARD OF WORLD MISSION
At the Synod of 2003 held in Barbados, resolution #23 asked The PEC “to explore with the Board of World Mission (BWM) the seating of a representative from our Province on that Board”. The Rev. Dr. Dion Christopher is now seated at the Board of World Mission as our representative to the BWM. Bro. Christopher along with Bro. Jack Geis (BWM Director) have been assigned to work with the EWI Province to establish the local Mission Committees, Societies and Boards as required by resolution #10 of the 28th Provincial Synod held in Tobago in 2006. The Board of World Mission offers several opportunities for Mission which include:
The Antioch Project
The mission of the Antioch Project is to reach out to our youth and to provide mission opportunities and opportunities for service. A Youth in Mission Summit was held in August under the theme “Feet First”.
Likewise Ministries
Likewise Ministries focuses on the medical needs. There is focus on HIV/AIDS and Medical Ministries. Training and Clinics are all a part of the program. In Nicaragua there is the Ahaus Clinic and there is the Missionary Air Group in which we transport the sick to places where they can get medical treatment.
The Adopt-a-Village Program
Through the Adopt a Village program churches are encouraged to partner with small communities and to provide support to them. This support ranges from supplies (food, clothing, and housing) to providing medical support, training and teaching of which Congregations and partner Provinces can give support to specific needs. Most of this ministry is fleshed out in Tanzania. The Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church in Wisconsin for example has partnered with the Moravian Church in Jamaica and has adopted “Camp Hope” and has been able to repair and refurbish the camp.
BEE Moravian
This is a Bible Education by Extension Program. Distance education is provided through the Moravian College and the Theological Seminary.
Moravian First Nations Ministries
This is a collaborative effort between the Labrador and Alaska Provinces and the Morongo congregation in California. There are several opportunities for ministry and the Board is actively seeking volunteers for long term and short term mission endeavors.
Moravian Disaster Response (MDR)
The MDR sends response teams to areas affected by disasters throughout the Unity. After Hurricane Katrina they assisted with home repairs and home building in the states affected by Katrina. Teams are being dispatched to Nicaragua and Honduras to assist with the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Felix.
With the establishment of our own Mission Committees, Societies and Boards, the EWI Province can look forward to increased involvement in Mission opportunities which will launch us into our communities to deal with issues such as HIV/AIDS and the other social issues that plague our communities. Our involvement in the ministry opportunities of the BWM will increase as we begin to understand our own mission responsibilities.
(Rev. Dr. Dion Christopher EWIP Department of Mission and Evangelism)
