EMS Fellowship
Worldwide network
Church at the local level and worldwide, in common witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ – EMS links people of different languages and cultures in three continents. 23 Protestant churches and five mission societies in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East form a network of historical, long-term partnerships.
Some connections go far back to the early days of mission. For example, missionary societies started their work in South Africa in 1737, in Ghana in 1828, in India in 1834, in the Middle East in 1860 and in Japan in 1884. Other churches joined the EMS Fellowship in search of reliable partners, e.g. the churches in Indonesia and Korea in the 70s and 80s. All the German churches maintain and foster partnerships with churches in our Fellowship in Africa and Asia. The mission societies have their roots in these churches.
Friendly relations exist with other churches in Africa, Asia and Latin America through mission 21 and the Missionary Association of the Moravian Church in Germany.
Partnership on an equal footing
In the worldwide EMS network, Christians look beyond their own church horizon. They practise ‘partnership on an equal footing’ and learn with and from one another how to live and pass on their faith. They are enthusiastic and respectful towards one another, committed to justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
This happens with international activities like those of the EMS focus “Reading the Bible through the eyes of another” and through support for direct partnerships between churches in different countries. Ecumenical co-workers and young adults in the Ecumenical Youth Volunteer Programme contribute to this, as does the funding of programmes and projects. No less important is our work for peace and reconciliation, for human rights and minorities suffering discrimination.
Daily intercession
Our prayer calendar helps us to remember one of the churches and mission societies in the EMS Fellowship every day, thus weaving a web of prayer and intercession for one another.
