A pastor of the Württemberg Church and teacher, he has worked in diaconal ministries, as an ecumenical coworker in Ghana, then in a parish; from 1992 he was Africa Liaison Secretary and has been EMS General Secretary since 1996. “During my time in urban and industrial mission in Tema, Ghana, I learned what mission in solidarity can mean from people at the grassroots. The exciting thing about EMS is that we all experience partnership at eye level, because we depend on one another in common witness.”
Ulrike Schmidt Hesse has been working at EMS since 2006. Before that she was a parish minister, then regional coordinator for mission and ecumenism and programme director in the Rhine-Main area in Germany, where she was involved in international affairs. “It is important to me that in the EMS Fellowship we mutually challenge and encourage one another to testify to the abundant life that God gives us in Christ.”
After studying journalism, he worked in a PR agency and in PR for companies and church organisations. He has been with EMS since 1996. „The fascinating thing about mission is, in my view, how people from other cultures teach us to see our own faith with new eyes. As Christians we are bound up with one another in a worldwide fellowship. Reporting about it and gaining other people’s interest is a very satisfying activity.”
From 1988 to 1995 he was sent by EMS to be a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ghana, and then worked as secretary for Mission, Ecumenism and Development (DiMOE) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg and parish minister in Ravensburg, Germany. Since March 2009 he has been EMS liaison secretary for Africa. “The African continent has fascinated me for decades, particularly the warm-heartedness and optimism of the people. They are not afraid to tackle major jobs with modest means because “what is impossible for mortals is possible for God” (Luke 18:27).
After studying Geography and Ethnology, Hans Heinrich worked from 1989 to 1995 in the Toraja Mamasa Church (GTM) on the island of Sulawesi. Then he became the Church Development Service (KED) officer in the Protestant Church in Baden. Since May 2009 he has been EMS liaison officer for Indonesia. “I am thrilled to see the dynamic developments in Indonesian society and the clear desire of our partner churches to see themselves as part of this society and play and active role in it.”
Lutz Drescher lived in Korea for over eight years. “I learned a great deal there. Precisely when the churches are undergoing a crisis it is particularly important, encouraging and challenging to remember that we are not alone - we are bound up together worldwide.”
“It has always fascinated me to hear people from different cultures sharing about their life and faith. I find that enriching. I would like to organise encounters in the international EMS Fellowship such that we learn from one another across borders and stand up for each other in a spirit of solidarity.”
„I would like to help carry the traditional work of the Basel Mission forward into the present day and, with our partner churches, inquire about how mission can gain profile in the 21st century.“
As Women and Gender Desk Secretary, Gabriele Mayer works to empower and promote women in all EMS churches in decision-making processes. “We can only tread the path towards more gender justice together, as women and men. The jointly developed EMS Gender Policy can be an effective tool to this effect.”
Christine Grötzinger graduated in social pedagogy and has always worked in international encounter and project work. For some years now she has been on the organisation team for EMS work in Indonesia. “The experience of Indonesian churches in dialogue with Islam, in fighting poverty and working for human rights is extremely valuable for the EMS Fellowship.”
Annette Stahl is responsible for fundraising at EMS and is available to answer questions from individuals, congregations and groups about how they can give financial support. “Even after 10 years working at EMS I am fascinated and excited by the connection of proclaiming the gospel, ecumenical learning and hands-on diaconal action.”
“Other cultures, other ways of life, interaction with people and nature – these are topics that concern us more and more in a globalised world. It is all the more important that children discover what they have in common and where they differ from children from other regions of the world – and that they do so by playing. That fosters tolerance, openness and appreciation and thus respectful behaviour together.”
